Whoever says Ruud Slagter says cauliflower. In daily life he works hard as a cauliflower grower in his family’s business. On Saturday, the skates with cauliflower print go down. Last weekend he wanted to shine on his home track in Hoorn at the marathon, but after 44 rounds it was over. “I soon found out that the combination of work and sport will take its toll.”
The 26-year-old skater from Lutjebroek did not finish in five of the six competitions this season. The step from the U23 division to the highest level of the Marathon Cup is difficult for him. “I have overloaded my thighs in recent weeks and am under treatment with the physiotherapist. The coming weeks should get better,” said a hopeful Slagter, who is called ‘the cauliflower king’ in the peloton.
In recent seasons, Slagter and his team Bauerfeind won everything there was to win in the U23 division. “As a team, we have taken the step to the higher level to look for a new challenge. In the top division, the driving is really much faster. My first goal is therefore to finish the races.”
There will be no Marathon Cup next week. The season continues on December 11. Then the skaters in Deventer compete for the prizes.