Demi Vollering ended the season with a clean win in last year's Ardennes Classic, in addition to her victory in Strade Bianche.

Sunday's Liege-Bastogne-Liege was her last chance, but it was another close call for the SD Works-Pro Time rider looking for her first win of the season. After losing a sprinting duel between Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek), Vollering could only manage third place in Monument, in addition to her second place in La Fleche Wallonne Femme.

"It was a different spring," Vollering posted on Instagram late Wednesday. 'It wasn't what I expected... And while I can still be proud of a few podiums, it's not what I was aiming for. Cycling is about winning and losing.

"Last Sunday was painful. It was just a huge disappointment to end one of my favorite races like this when I was feeling so good. I remember in 2019, my first year as a pro, I was incredibly happy with my third place finish. But it's just not enough anymore." He added: "I know I can do better, I know I can race better, I know I can do better than this.

Vollaring heads into 2024 with a season on his back that not only included a spectacular one-day race, but also the coveted yellow jersey of the Tour de France Fam winner.

But a series of euphoria did not flow into the New Year, and on top of that, there was considerable discussion about her future plans, with the world's top teams admitting they expect Volering to move on next year.

"With the spring season over, I can leave this not-so-gentle start to the season. I know everyone keeps asking about my future, but I'm not going to talk about mine right now."

For now, she has other things to focus on: a race that could bring redemption, La Vuelta España Femenina, which starts on April 28.

Last year, she lost the red jersey in the final second stage to an ill-timed natural crash by Annemiek van Fruten (Movistar). This year, the three-time defending champion retired and will likely be succeeded by Vollering, who has finished second and third in this race the past two years.

"Now my focus is already on my next goal," he said. Disappointment will not stop me."

Stay tuned to Cycling News for a report on the 2024 La Vuelta Femenina.