Juliette Berthet: "With Demi Vollering, aiming for the yellow jersey is realistic and motivating."

Demi Vollering 's arrival at FDJ United-SUEZ in 2025 could have been a hindrance to Juliette Berthet , her former direct rival and potential contender for the yellow jersey. Yet, on the eve of her fifth participation in the Tour de France Femmes, the French cyclist tells a completely different story: that of a woman who has transformed a potential threat into an extraordinary engine for her own growth.

It wasn't an easy transition. Berthet admits to having some apprehension when she learned the Dutch champion would be joining her team. But a statement from sporting director Stephen Delcourt changed everything: "It's better to have her with us than against us." Words that sparked something in the Frenchwoman's mind.

"It was truly a turning point," Berthet said. "I said to myself: if he's stronger, I might as well understand how he works. I thought it would push me to become a better runner. And that's exactly what happened."

The results prove her right. Despite an early crash and supporting an injured Vollering, Berthet finished the 2025 Tour de France Femmes in seventh place overall, with a second-place stage finish in Ambert. A remarkable performance, confirming how the Berthet-Vollering partnership works even in the most challenging situations.

"If you look at my results, my best performances came when I was competing with Demi. She pushes me to the next level, and I'm confident we'll build on that even more in the future."

In August, the goal is one: to defend the team's ambitions and lead Vollering to the yellow jersey. The Dutchwoman, already a winner in 2023 and second in every other edition, arrives at the start with an exceptional tailwind: victory in the Giro d'Italia Femminile , secured with a thrilling final stage that overturned all odds.

"Mentally, on the final stage, she was incredible in turning everything around," Berthet emphasizes. "Anything can happen at the Tour, but arriving with the wind at your back is always an advantage."

This momentum, however, also brings enormous pressure. Vollering will be in the crosshairs of all her rivals from the first kilometer, and the entire team will need to be ready to act as a shield, anticipating any attempt to expose any potential weaknesses. Currently, Vollering and her prospective Tour teammates are in a training camp at high altitude, honing their fitness for the big summer goal.

"There's pressure, but that's also why we ride and train hard every day: to experience moments like these. When it gets tough, we think about the Tour and tell ourselves that all the work will pay off," says Berthet.

Fantasy Cycling Tips: Juliette Berthet is one of the most reliable domestiques in the women's cycling scene. Her seventh-place finish at the 2025 Tour shows that, if needed, she can also pick up valuable points during the race. She's one to keep an eye on, especially in the stages where Vollering might not be at full strength. And Vollering herself, fresh from the Giro, is a prime candidate for the yellow jersey: including her in your fantasy cycling team is almost a must.

"It's not unrealistic to aim for the yellow jersey with Demi, because she's already won the Tour de France. It's realistic and incredibly motivating."

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency