Cyclist Yara Kastelijn from Neerkant has apologized to Shirin van Anrooij after her performance at the Gravel World Championships. In the final of the race on Saturday, Kastelijn rode behind her teammate who was in the lead. That action caused discussion within the Dutch team. “I was too focused on my own race,” Kastelijn said in a statement from her Fenix-Deceuninck team.
Van Anrooij was angry after she was passed shortly before the finish, including by winner Lorena Wiebes and Marianne Vos, who took silver.
Kastelijn in particular, compatriot and roommate of the Zeelander at the World Cup in Rwanda, had given everything to track down Van Anrooij. “I have always been a team player in the national selections. I don’t understand why the gap had to be closed,” says Van Anrooij at NOS.
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Kastelijn thought she could still go for a podium place herself. “Only later, when I saw the images again, did I fully realize that it was not the wisest action,” says the cyclist. She wants to emphasize that there was no malicious intent behind her action.
“I just wanted to get the most out of it for myself. Laurens ten Dam, our national coach, had also emphasized beforehand that the Gravel World Championships are not ridden with the same attitude as a European Championship on the road. I interpreted that a bit too literally in the final. However, I now regret this.”
Kastelijn hopes to put the incident behind her soon. “I learn from moments like this. I have also apologized to Shirin in the meantime.”
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