Harm Visser missed out on winning the second natural ice marathon in Noordlaren. The top favorite from De Westereen was beaten by Evert Hoolwerf the day after his victory in Winterswijk.
As spectacular as the first natural ice competition in Winterswijk was on Tuesday, it took so long for the race in Noordlaren to really ignite. Attack attempts were made, but each time the leading group was quickly swallowed up by the peloton.
With seventeen laps to go, fourteen skaters took a lap lead. This includes Harm Visser. Also present: Luc ter Haar, Evert Hoolwerf, Daan Gelling and Homme-Jan de Groot from Hilaard.
In the crowd
While the peloton sprinted, Lars Woelders escaped. His solo failed when the men behind it started themselves in the final. For a moment it seemed like a second consecutive victory for Visser was in the making, but the top favorite was compromised in the last corner.
Hoolwerf gratefully took advantage and won the sprint, ahead of Jordy Harink and Visser, who this time had to settle for third place. De Groot finished sixth.