Demi Vollering Leads Dutch World Championship Squad

Demi Vollering has been confirmed as the leader of the Dutch women's team for the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montreal later this month. National coach Laurens ten Dam announced a squad that notably excludes former world champions Marianne Vos and Anna van der Breggen, placing full confidence in Vollering for both the road race and the time trial.

Why are Marianne Vos and Anna van der Breggen missing?

Laurens ten Dam's selection for Montreal is built around Vollering, leaving out two of the nation's most decorated riders. Marianne Vos, a three-time road world champion, has had a difficult season. The loss of her father impacted her spring campaign, and she has secured only one victory so far in 2026. She recently announced her focus will be on attempting to reclaim the Gravel World title in Western Australia, a decision that suggests she does not feel competitive for the hilly Montreal course.

Anna van der Breggen's omission is more puzzling. The 2018 and 2020 champion came out of retirement in 2024 and has since won three races. This season, she finished second overall at the Vuelta Femenina in May and third at the Giro d'Italia Women, winning the mountain time trial. Her proven ability against the clock, a key asset for the team time trial, will be a significant loss for the Dutch squad. Her absence shifts the entire tactical burden onto Vollering's shoulders.

What does this mean for Vollering's leadership role?

With Vos and van der Breggen out of the picture, Demi Vollering's position as the undisputed leader is absolute. Ten Dam has explicitly anointed her for both the road race and the individual time trial, a rare double assignment that highlights her current standing as the team's primary weapon. This consolidated leadership could simplify Dutch tactics, removing any potential for internal rivalry or divided loyalties during the race.

It also increases the pressure on Vollering to deliver a result. The team will be structured entirely to support her ambitions on the challenging Montreal circuit. Her preparation and form in the final weeks before the championships, which you can track on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page, will be scrutinized more than ever. This is a clear passing of the torch moment for Dutch women's cycling.

How has van der Breggen performed since her comeback?

Anna van der Breggen's return to competition has been successful, making her non-selection a major talking point. Since ending her retirement at the start of the 2024 season, she has added three victories to her palmares. Her 2026 results demonstrate she remains a force in stage racing, with podium finishes in two Grand Tours.

Her performance trajectory this year shows a rider capable of challenging for the highest honors.

Despite a disappointing Tour de France Femmes where she did not finish, her results at the Vuelta and Giro prove she was in contention for a Worlds spot. The decision by ten Dam suggests a firm belief that a team built solely around Vollering offers the best chance for victory, even at the cost of van der Breggen's experience and proven time trial power.

• Demi Vollering is the confirmed leader for the Dutch team in both the road race and time trial at the Montreal World Championships.
• Marianne Vos is skipping the event to focus on the Gravel World Championships in Western Australia.
• Anna van der Breggen, despite strong 2026 results including a Vuelta podium, was not selected by coach Laurens ten Dam.
• The Dutch squad will lack the time trial expertise of van der Breggen, placing more responsibility on Vollering.

The Dutch team's strategy is now transparent. Everything is geared towards delivering Demi Vollering to the finish line in Montreal in a position to win. The absence of the former champions simplifies the team's mission but also removes potential safety nets, making Vollering's performance the single defining story for the Netherlands this September.