In Eijsden, Limburg, mountain biker Tim Smeenge finished third today in the Bart Brentjens Challenge, which also formed the backdrop for the National Championships mountainbike Marathon. In the ninety kilometer long race, Hans Becking finished solo as the winner and Pascal Eenkhoorn took second place. Smeenge’s KMC teammate Teus Ruijter came in fourth shortly behind Smeenge, followed by Gerben Mos in seventeenth place. Ramses Bekkenk finished second in the Masters 40+ category and Rozanne Slik eighth among the women.
‘Today was a fast and tactical race and that’s not really my thing. The form was good but not great, so I am certainly satisfied with the bronze medal. From the start, a large group stayed together for quite a while, so it was important to remain attentive at the front. After the Keutenberg the final leading group of eight men had been formed and it was a little less hectic. When Becking and Eenkhoorn attacked, I was not able to respond and third place was the highest possible. Now it is time for a rest period after a long season,” said Smeenge.