Despite a fall, Marijke Groenewoud reached the final of the mass start at the Olympic Games in Beijing. The 23-year-old reigning world champion in this part finished fifth in her semi-final and that was enough for the final battle. That required a place in the top eight. Top favorite Irene Schouten also qualified. She finished fourth in the second semifinal.
It was still exciting for Groenewoud, who crashed after the third intermediate sprint. She quickly got up and overtook the pack with just over a lap to go. This is Groenewoud’s third appearance at these Games. She previously finished fifth in the 1500 meters and took bronze with the Dutch team in the team pursuit.
Schouten is one of the favourites. She was twice world champion in this part. At these Games she already won gold twice in the 3000 and 5000 meters and bronze in the team pursuit. At the Games four years ago in Pyeongchang she won bronze in the mass start.
Groenewoud is the reigning world champion in this section. This is the third appearance at these Games for the 23-year-old Frisian. She previously finished fifth in the 1500 meters and also took bronze in the team pursuit.
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