The Dutch rider was narrowly beaten in her bid to retain her title. But she has stormed back at the start of this season using lessons from her childhood

Earlier this month, on the final climb of the Strade Bianche, Demi Vollering flew past Anna van der Breggen, her former coach and renewed rival, handily winning by 18 seconds. As the first spring classic of the year, the Italian race is renowned for its white gravel roads and regarded as a barometer of early season fitness. Vollering, already one of her sport’s best riders, showed she was capable of an even higher level.

“The whole team was motivated, so I wanted to win for them,” says Vollering, “but I didn’t feel a lot of pressure before the race, because everything is new with the team.”