Maike van der Duin claimed her first individual Women’s World Tour podium today when she sprinted to third place at Ronde van Drenthe in Hoogeveen, the Netherlands. The CANYON//SRAM Racing rider raced smartly from the start and finished with an impressive and determined sprint to reach the podium spot. With her third place, Maike takes the lead in the Women’s World Tour youth classification.

There were several late-minute changes to the parcours on the account of snowfall and icy conditions. The organisers removed the cobblestone sectors, added six climbs of the VAMberg and reduced the race length. However, Maike said she wasn’t bothered by the changes.

“That made no difference to me. A race is a race,” said Maike matter-of-factly.

A large crash at the front on a narrow road involved almost the entire peloton in the early kilometres and threw the race into disorder for some time. Maike was initially outnumbered but could stay calm and look for opportunities to follow moves or attack herself. She was supported when teammates Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka and Sarah Roy rejoined the peloton after a lengthy chase.

After Maike attacked, Skalniak-Sójka tried to again put pressure on the competition with a solo move before the penultimate ascent of the VAMberg. Despite the attacks, the peloton headed to the finish line in Hoogeveen for a bunch sprint. Maike kept her nerve as she navigated the final kilometres and timed her sprint.

“This is a dream coming true,” says Maike of her Women’s World Tour third place.

“I had hoped for this result but didn’t expect it. I wouldn’t be sure if you had told me before the race, but I felt so strong the entire day. This morning when they changed the course to six times up the VAMberg, I didn’t know if it would suit me. We were ready and motivated and knew it would be hectic.”

“In the race, I felt so good. Aga (Agnieszka) positioned me for the final climb, and when I was in the first ten riders up the VAMberg the last time, I knew it was all out for the sprint. When we didn’t get our lead-out right, I knew I needed to find the right wheels. I’m happy with the sprint. I think I had more speed than Andersen, who came second, but she started in a better position in the final corner. You always look for things to improve: better positioning, not being alone, maybe one gear different. I’ll use it for the next opportunity.”

Maike adds, “In the final metres, as I crossed the finish line, I thought how great it was to give the first podium to the team in my second race with CANYON//SRAM Racing. My friends and family were all here, and getting the podium was nice. The World Tour youth jersey is a bonus!”

The race was won by Lorena Wiebes (SDW). Alice Towers and Shari Bossuyt were forced to abandon the race following their crashes but were cleared of injuries.

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