In Sundern, Germany, Tim Smeenge rode to his second win of the season in the SKS marathon yesterday, beating Germans Peter Hermann and Christian Kreuchler. Where Smeenge crossed the finish line solo, his teammate Rozanne Slik had to squeeze in a sprint after 100 kilometers for second place behind winner Stefanie Paul. “Our group slowly thinned out and I was eventually left alone on the fast course in the Sauerland,” says Smeenge. Slik: ‘That was a lot of suffering today. I had to sprint a few more in the final to leave Britta Rummler behind me.
A day later, Smeenge and his teammate Gerben Mos were back at the start for a Cross Country race in Havelte, Drenthe. On a beautiful forest course, Mos got off to a good start in his home race and was immediately part of the leading group. Smeenge missed the start a bit and came back to Mos, Erik Groen and Lars van Ark via an impressive chase. The later winner Ian Schumacher had already flown by then. Mos and Groen dropped from the chasing group where van Ark broke away from Smeenge in the final lap. After his victory in Sundern a nice third place for Smeenge, who was almost caught by KMC teammate Mos in the last lap. Erik Groen finished fifth.
Ramses Bekkenk took the victory in Havelte in the 40+ category after chasing from the last starting position.