About halfway through, the field was pulled apart for the first time. There was a large leading group, but because the cooperation was lacking, the peloton returned. The smaller groups also did not stay ahead, after which they sprinted. Verweij positioned himself excellently in the final phase and was the first to enter the last corner. She never gave up her lead on the straight. Ineke Dedden finished second and Dieuwertje van Kalken finished third.
With the men, the field was separated much faster. Bart Hoolwerf and Niels Overvoorde drove away and because they overtook many men – including a few helpers – it became a confusing final. In the end there were fourteen men left in the race. Hoolwerf of Jumbo-Visma surprises his fellow refugees in the final round by starting early. Sjoerd den Hertog crossed the line in second, Crispijn Ariëns was third.
The first marathon on natural ice.
ⓒ ANP/HH
Hoolwerf’s performance was extra remarkable, because earlier in the day he drove the 5 kilometers at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Thialf. There he set a personal record.
It was not until Sunday afternoon that it was announced that the marathon could be run. Initially, it was intended that women would skate 80 laps and the men 125 laps. Nevertheless, it was eventually decided to stick to 60 and 100 laps respectively.
After four years, Noordlaren has it again: the first skating marathon of the season on natural ice.
ⓒ North News Press Agency
ⓒ North News Press Agency
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