'A bit of laziness' - Demi Vollering forgets to eat, falls short in Brabantse Pijl sprint

Demi Vollering (SD Worx) in the winning breakaway at De Brabantse Pijl La Fleche Brabanconne 2023
Demi Vollering (SD Worx) in the winning breakaway at De Brabantse Pijl La Fleche Brabanconne 2023 (Image credit: Getty Images)

In a rare defeat this season, Demi Vollering (SD Worx) lost the uphill sprint to a powerful Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ) atop the final climb at Brabantse Pijl on Wednesday.

Vollering admitted that she was "not good enough to win" against Persico on the day but also said she simply ran out of energy after forgetting to take in enough food and fluids during the 141km race into Overijse.

Kirsten Frattini
Deputy Editor

Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.

Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.

She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.