CYCLING – Bjorn Bakker from Wijnjewoude and Aafke Soet from Heerenveen are the new district champions of the Northern Netherlands region among the Elite riders. The race was organized on the flanks of the Col du Vam near Wijster. Chiel Smit from Zuidwolde was third in the elite men’s race to the podium.
The district cycling championships of the Northern Netherlands were previously held annually on Whit Monday, but not in the past two years due to corona. Under the leadership of Rudy Nagengast, Renate Groenewold and Marije Joling and together with volunteers from WSV de Peddelaars, the championship on the Col du Vam could continue last-minute this year. About 250 riders registered for the nice warm-up towards the National Championships cycling that will take place on the Col du Vam at the end of June.
In tough conditions, the Elite men had to cover 102 kilometers with 17 passages over the 48 meter high waste mountain. Only 11 riders made it to the finish, with Bjorn Bakker of the John Deere NWVG Team winning the uphill sprint from Steven Willemsen from Groningen. Nine seconds behind the winner, Chiel Smit crossed the line in third.
In the women’s race, the victory went to Jumbo-Visma rider Aafke Soet from Heerenveen, who kept Manon de Boer from Leeuwarden and Anneke Dijkstra from Olterterp behind. Anniek Mos from Ruinen was the best Drenthe in sixth place.
Drent’s success was in the youth classes. Floris Haverdings from Zuidlaren was the fastest among the Novices and Maarten Hamminga from Annen took the victory in the Juniors.