The 23rd edition of the Egmond-Pier-Egmond beach race was won this afternoon in 59 minutes and 48 seconds by Ramon Sinkeldam. After cycling 38 kilometers on the beach, the Zaankanter remained ahead of Rick van Breda and the Belgian Jonas Rickaert, 6 and 9 seconds respectively. Among the women, Tessa Neefjes from Wervershoof was the fastest.
At the beach exit of Castricum aan Zee, Van Breda tried to run away, but failed. “I knew I had one chance, I did everything I could, but the men were too strong.” It is the second time that Van Breda has been beaten in the sprint on the Boulevard Noord. In 2018 he defeated Jasper Ockeloen.
Where Van Breda was disappointed, Sinkeldam beamed. “I knew I was good, but I didn’t know how good,” the road cyclist said afterwards. “Those guys who do beach races are all very strong in such an hour.” Sinkeldam will again focus on the classics on the road this spring.
Bless you Nephews
This year, for the first time, the women started at the same time as the men’s field. Early in the race a leading group formed with Tessa Neefjes, Riejanne Markus and Maud Rijnbeek. Neefjes hit her stride in Castricum and took the obstacles (stairs and straw bales) most skillfully. She shook off her competitors and crossed the line in 1 hour 4 minutes and 45 seconds. Neefjes previously won in 2020.
(the summary will follow later today)