Annefleur Kalvenhaar wins the junior women's race © Bart Hazen
Despite a poor start from Kalvenhaar in the junior-women’s race, it turned out as expected in a battle between her and Evy Kuijpers. Kalvenhaar was the better on the technical parts of the course, while Kuijpers was the better on the longer running sections, especially on the Tiestenberg and the Nootjesberg. In the penultimate lap Kalvenhaar launched her decisive attack and soloed to her first and also last national title in the junior women’s category. Mascha Mulder completed the podium.
“I started the race with the intention to win the title,” said a delighted Kalvenhaar. “Evy and I didn’t ride many races against each other this year, so I didn’t really know what I had to expect from her. In the penultimate lap I was able to get rid off her on this tough course to solo to the title. In the next World Cup races I want to perform really well. I hope to qualify myself for the World Championships. But my season is already a success.”
The beginners women’s race, which started one minute in front of the junior-women, was expected to be a battle between Yara Kastelijn and defending champion Lotte Eikelenboom. The battle never came; Yara Kastelijn was too strong for her rivals. Kastelijn finished third in the combined race, highlighting her talent. The battle for second place was more interesting between Lindy van Anrooij, Esmee Oosterman and Lotte Eikelenboom. Van Anrooij finished in second with Oosterman completing the podium. Defending champion Lotte Eikelenboom finished in a disappointing fourth place.
“I knew after the first lap that I was riding for the win,” stated winner Kastelijn. “I had a big gap on my rivals and my parents told me not to take any more risks. I didn’t expect that it was going to be that easy. It was the ideal race for me.”
The title in the beginners boys race surprisingly went to Rogier Kalvenhaar, the little brother of Annefleur. The podium was completed by Koen van Dijke and Max Gulickx. Top favorite Pascal Eenkhoorn, who didn’t loose a single cyclocross race in the Netherlands this season, rode in the lead for most of the race but crashed in the penultimate lap due to a chain problem. It took more than 40 seconds before the problem was solved, but by then the title was gone.
“I didn’t expect to win here, but this makes it more fun,” said Kalvenhaar. “I tried to keep the pressure on Pascal and maybe that’s why he made a mistake and crashed. When I passed Pascal I thought only one thing – GO FOR IT. It worked out.”
Results
Beginners (women): http://www.wielerland.nl/index.php?option=com_database&c=u&sc=1&id=31585&Itemid=242
Junior women: http://www.wielerland.nl/index.php?option=com_database&c=u&sc=1&id=31584&Itemid=242
Beginners (men): http://www.wielerland.nl/index.php?option=com_database&c=u&sc=1&id=31582&Itemid=242
Bart Hazen Galleries:
Beginner Men
Begginer/Junior Women
