"The finishing time counts," was Vollering's clear comment after she saw the intermediate times in the 15.7-kilometre time trial to Villars-sur-Orlon. Deliberately, she had started somewhat more quietly to make up the difference in the final tough kilometres uphill. Given her gap at the first two measuring points, her lead of 18 seconds over Longo Borghini at the finish was surprisingly large.
Vollering: "I approached the time trial like a normal race, knowing that normally during a climb I only get stronger. I rode myself completely empty in the last kilometres. I'm good at that. Luckily it was enough for the win and I was also able to gain time in the general classification."
"I tried to ride a stable time trial, giving everything in the last four kilometres. In those kilometres I stopped looking at the power meter and just rode as fast as possible to the finish. You can make a lot of plans on such a tough climb, but in the end it's about getting the most out of yourself. That means you also have to ride a lot on your gut."
Thanks to a lead of almost one and a half minutes, Vollering took an important step towards the overall victory in the Tour de Suisse with the stage win in the first two stages. After the Tour de Romandie (2023), Vuelta Femenina, Itzulia and Vuelta a Burgos, this could be the fifth consecutive stage race that Vollering has started and finished winning.
"If you look at the classification, I am indeed in a good position. The main task for our team will be not to let a big group get away in the next two days. We have good riders who can do well on the terrain of the next few days. For some riders in our team there are also chances for success here. I hope we can ride two more good stages here with Team SD Worx-Protime. I have a lot of confidence in that."