This edition of the Bartje 200 was one with a big black border. Last Wednesday, 30-year-old Thom Bonder died in an accident. The talented mountain biker won the Drentse Monstertocht twice. This weekend he would be at the start to defend his title.
To honor him it was deafening silent this morning before the start. “We did that in consultation with his team (Giant-Liv, ed.), And parents. The team wanted to be in the front and start neutralized,” says organizer Johan Wekema.
Bartje 200 started with a minute of silence: