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Published April 10 2006
Photos
eurocup Assen/Afsluitdijk (NL) 2006
Great Dutch weekend opens eurocup 2006 in style
The weekend started Friday 7 April in the provincial town Assen
(North East Netherlands). The relay and criterium race took place
in the city centre of Assen. Nice facilities (borrowed from the
professional cycle race Ronde van Drenthe) and dry weather. Temperature
was a bit cold for the time of the year (8C). But then again April
just started.
At start line of the relay 12 teams (it's growing). In total 34
participants in the race. The speaker did a great job (a guy, also
'borrowed' from the Ronde van Drenthe). You could call the track
'technical'; lot of corners, a real city track between shops and
houses.
The winning male team came from Czech (Jaroslav, Milan and Michal),
followed by a new Dutch scooter team 'Airport Groningen'. (so we
fly with discount to eurocups now? or....). Team Groningen borrowed
Martijn Dashorst from a Frysian team, so an ideal combination which
brought second place. Third became the 'Fast and Furious', with
Lars Kessler (D) and Marc Ypma (NL). (only 2 guys ... bravo).
First womenteam was 'Dutch Ladies' with Peterina, Hermien and Ilse.
Second became a new team on the stage: team Rotterdam with Wenda,
Hannie and Carla.
Thrilling Criterium
The criterium race started at 19.00 hours. 35 participants. Keeping
track of the ranking (860 meter track) even with 5 jury members
was a real challenge. So we installed also a video camera that registrated
everything. It prooved realy neccesary.
The race was great for participants and public. One of the most
exhiting short races I have seen in eurocup. A leading group in
which a number of riders tried to get a way during the race, but
without succes. So a leading group of 5 stayed together untill the
last round.
Michal Spinka had the most reserves and came after 30 minutes as
the winning man over finishline! Second was Milan Gazarek and Lars
Kessler and Jaroslav Tlapa sprinted in a super close finish over
the white line. Only couple of cm differents. Lars 3rd, Jaroslav
4th. Also still in leading group the Dutchman Martijn Dashorst who
finished as 5d.
Women: A new girl Wenda Zuiddam (who never kicked a race
before) stayed relatively easy in the leading group. This was a
wake up call for the settled female footbikers. Marie Tlapova (CZ)
had unfortunately a flat tyre, and had to let go the leading group.
Marie could borrow a Kickbike from the side line and continued and
finished in 4th place before Peterina vd Molen (NL) 5d. Hermien
Koers (NL) won, second was Ilse Ypma-Bijl (NL) and 3d (close behind
Ilse) Wenda Zuiddam (NL).
'Proost'
to the new eurocup season
After
the race there was a diner in a restaurant close to finish line
in de 'Poort van Assen'.
Then
same evening we had a car trip to Friesland for the overnightstaying
in Harlingen. After arrival a warming up in the Zeehoeve bar and
around 00.00 hours the competitors (and organisingteam) climbed
to the top of a (Delta hight) sea dyke in the dark (in the wind)
and drank 2 bottles of Dutch jenever and 1 bottle of 'Oranjebitter'.
A Dutch tradition to salute the start of the new eurocup season
and the wind devils on Afsluitdijk!
Day
2 - Quest straight through the Dutch seas
We didn't know what to expect. Ofcourse the time trial over Afsluitdijk
is already kicked for 24 years so many conditions are known.
For some of the none Dutch riders this race can be some what of
a horror experience. 38 km time trial on a straight road through
the sea. Phsyical and mental a quest.
This
time a tail wind (as Gary from the US mailed me). I think 5 m/s
which decreased at the end of the race. During start procedure the
sun also arrived. So a great event. 43 Competitors in total. The
participants started with a 30 second interval.
We had no idea who whould came out as winner. During this race it's
allways a suprise and gambling can cost you dearly is my experience.
The tail wind brought an extra uncertain factor: because who good
in sailing...?
After start I drove back in the car over the dyke to camping de
Zeehoeve. Along the route bright blue sky and sea with some white
wave heads. Next to that a green line with dots of footbikers kicking
like hell with speeds up to 31,6 km/h average . A long ribon of
competitors sailing with the wind to finish. We had to hurry to
catch up with the first.
The flags at finish line were 'strak' as we say it here in the Lowlands
and the riders finished all in fast times. None excluded.
Finish
In de Zeehoeve during the price ceremony the results came. It
was clear: Not all Czech have sea leggs (yet) and again Lars
Kessler (D) and Martijn Dashorst (NL) were in top 3 (like last year
on Afsluitdijk). Though both not ranked first this time. William
van Geloof (NL) has been training and won the race with an average
of 31,6 km. The winning time: 1:12:03. Martijn Dashorst (NL) became
2d in 1:13:37 and Lars Kessler (D) 3d in 1:13:44.
In women's category Hermien Koers (NL) opened the season in good
shape and won in 1:26:57. Peterina vd Molen (NL) became second in
1:29:49. Peterina seems to make a comeback this year. Third was
Marie Tlapova from Czech in 1:30:20.
Supprisingly, 80 energybars and 70 energydrinks toghether with several
liters of water were used by the competitors on the route and finish.
..... the result of sun and sea...?
In the Zeehoeve competitors washed the salt away under the showers
and later when everybody had reached finish line there was a ceremony
inside the 'Hoeve'. Winners in all the catogories (cadettes, juniors,
seniors, veterans and 3CV riders) got a shining cup and all participants
received next to a drinkbottle also the Afsluitdijk certificaat
2006 for making it to the other side:
The
eurocup season 2006 is declared open... come and kick.
www.autoped.nl/eurocup2006
Results:
Relay race Assen
| The
Netherlands 2006
Criterium
race Assen
| The
Netherlands 2006
Afsluitdijk
38 km time trial
| The
Netherlands 2006
Photos
eurocup Assen/Afsluitdijk (NL) 2006
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