Pepijn Veenings has won the Egmond-Pier-Egmond (EPE) beach race. The native of Zaankanter crossed the finish line solo just within the hour. Stijn Appel (Opmeer) and Rick van Breda (‘t Zand) came second and third. Among the women, Nina Kessler from Velserbroek won the sprint from the leading group.
Defending champion Timothy Dupont was chasing a record in this 25th edition. The Belgian had been the first rider to win the 38 kilometer race from Egmond aan Zee to the pier at Velsen-Noord and back for the fourth time.
That didn’t work, because the 38-year-old Dupont missed the shot early in the race and ultimately finished eighth. The course was made hard by Jules de Cock. The 28-year-old Eindhove native dominated the first part of the race with a small lead over his pursuers.
Straw bales near Castricum
Just before the beach exit of Castricum aan Zee he was caught and Pepijn Veenings struck. The 21-year-old rider was the only one to jump over the straw bale obstacles while sitting on his bicycle, while all competitors dismounted and shouldered the bicycle.
Veenings, third last year, recorded a final time of 59 minutes and 59 seconds. Appel followed 27 seconds later and Veenings’ teammate Van Breda conceded 39 seconds.
Blood-curdling final sprint
For the women it remained exciting until the finish. Just like with the men, Tessa Neefjes was aiming for a record. If she won, she would have been the first woman to win the race three times.
That chance was there until the end, but the rider from Wervershoof had to admit her superiority in Nina Kessler in the final sprint on the Boulevard Noord. De Velserbroekse, and winner in 2018, won the final sprint with a minimal difference. Meis Poland (Warmenhuizen) came second and Silje Bader (also Warmenhuizen) third. All three recorded a finishing time of 1 hour, 12 minutes and 20 seconds. Tessa Neefjes fell just outside the podium in fourth place.