'Strange to leave you like this' – Demi Vollering forced to cut training camp on Mount Teide

Demi Vollering, the reigning Tour de France Femmes champion, has been forced to abandon her high-altitude training camp on Mount Teide, Tenerife. The SD Worx-Protime rider cited "bad weather" as the reason for her premature departure, making her the latest in a growing list of professional cyclists whose pre-season preparations on the popular volcanic peak have been disrupted by unseasonable conditions. This unexpected setback comes as Vollering gears up for a crucial 2024 season.

This isn't an isolated incident; Teide has become a victim of its own popularity and increasingly unpredictable climate. For years, the Spanish island offered reliable altitude training, a cornerstone of Grand Tour preparation. However, recent seasons have seen more frequent reports of snow, high winds, and torrential rain forcing riders off the mountain. For Vollering, whose meticulous preparation is legendary, this disruption could impact her early season form, potentially offering a slight advantage to rivals who managed uninterrupted blocks elsewhere.

While the weather is an uncontrollable variable, the frequency of these Teide disruptions suggests teams may need to re-evaluate their reliance on a single high-altitude location. The mountain remains a draw, but perhaps a Plan B, or even a Plan C, is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity for elite preparation.