Even two-time individual time trial world champion Chloe Dygert (Canyon-SRAM) was not enough to prevent Demi Volering (SD Works-Protime) from winning the short 6.3km Rotterdam race on stage 3 of the Tour de France Femme! The race was a tough one.

Dygert, who has had a rocky season with crashes, injuries, and illness, wore the rainbow stripes for the first time this season in the 7.5-minute race. He set the same time at the intermediate time check through the Erasmusburg Bridge, but missed out on the stage win by 5 seconds to Vollaring 2.4 km before the finish.

Diggart said, “It was not a good day,” but she praised the strength of Dutch GC star Vollering as he averaged 50.95 km/h in the second stage of the double race.

“It's definitely disappointing not to be at the top, but I'm grateful to be here. It's my first Tour and I'm very blessed. This is God's plan and I just believe in it.”

“It was very fast and very bumpy. Normally a short course is better suited for me, but I wasn't in great shape today, so I guess that's what this is all about.”

“They (SD Walks) had a better day. I want to compliment Demi (Volering) because she is very strong.”

After biting back the disappointment of not winning the Tour's only time trial stage, Diggart arrived at the team bus and shared a long hug and debrief with Canyon-Slam team boss Ronnie Lauke.

“Ronnie has a lot of experience in this sport and is a big reason I chose Canyon-SRAM. [I am very grateful for Ronnie's words of wisdom and will keep them in mind as I complete the tour to reach my main goal for the season.”

“I'm just here to do my best and get to the World Championships. I'm looking forward to the rest of the week and trying to get as much fitness as I can.”

Dygert also said that the remaining five stages will help the German team's GC hopefuls, Kasia Niewiadoma and Neve Bradbury.

“We'll take it one day at a time, but Kasia and Neve are definitely the goal riders this week.