FDJ United-Suez Interview: Preparing Demi Vollering for Tour de France Femmes Glory

FDJ United-Suez is centering its 2026 Tour de France Femmes campaign on Demi Vollering, who is targeting the yellow jersey after finishing second in her debut for the French squad in 2025. According to team manager Stephen Delcourt in an interview with Cyclingnews, the team has implemented a refined preparation strategy and a “mature” roster to challenge favorites including Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney.

Vollering’s Modified Preparation and Form

Demi Vollering enters the 2026 Tour de France Femmes following a prolific season that included a victory at the Giro d’Italia Women. To ensure peak condition, Delcourt stated that the team altered Vollering’s racing schedule, opting to skip the Tour de Suisse and the National Championships.

Delcourt noted that this decision was based on lessons from 2025, when Vollering suffered from illness after the Tour de Suisse and crashed during the Nationals. Following her Giro victory, Vollering completed a three-week altitude training camp in Tignes to focus on the general classification goal.

Roster Composition and Support Staff

The FDJ United-Suez roster for the event includes Paris-Roubaix winner Franziska Koch and French champion Célia Gery. The squad also features climbing domestiques Juliette Berthet and Évita Muzic. Delcourt described the 2026 group as more mature than the 2025 collective, which won the team classification.

Muzic and Berthet are returning to top form after different trajectories; Muzic overcame winter illness to finish second at the top of Lagunas de Neila in the Vuelta a Burgos, while Berthet has also progressed through a step-by-step recovery process, according to Delcourt.

Strategic Analysis of Rivals and Route

Delcourt identified Pauline Ferrand-Prévot as a primary threat, stating that she expects the rider to be at the same level or better than her 2025 performance. Other key contenders highlighted by the team manager include Marlen Reusser, who may benefit from a fresh state due to a lighter racing schedule, and Kim Le Court.

The team is also monitoring the form of Kasia Niewiadoma, who showed strength in the Tour de Suisse, and Paula Blasi. Delcourt mentioned that while the team is focused on their own preparation, they are aware of the potential impact of the transfer market on rivals.

Regarding the course, Delcourt emphasized the importance of the time trial in Dijon, noting that a Grand Tour requires a time trial element to be complete. While he praised the overall parcours, he expressed a desire for more mountaintop finishes, noting that the current route lacks a second summit finish.

Contractual and Institutional Stability

The team’s long-term structure is secured with Demi Vollering’s contract extended through 2028. Delcourt described the negotiations as a reflection of Vollering’s status as both an athlete and a brand. Additionally, the team has extended contracts for Célia Gery and Elise.

Institutional stability is further supported by naming rights contracts with FDJ United and Suez through 2028, alongside extended partnerships with Specialized and Shimano. Delcourt indicated that the team is also close to extending its agreement with Gobik and is currently exploring new nutrition partners.

We have only one goal: yellow

FDJ United-Suez