On Saturday, Lola Bakker rode to a second place in the German Willingen. On a renewed course of 110 kilometers through the Sauerland, she managed to stay in the wake of the Belgian winner Julia Grégoire for a long time. In the last lap of 38 kilometers, however, she lost a lot of ground but managed to hold on to her second place by staying ahead of the German Carolin Zinn.
“I was immediately at the front of the race but knew that the last lap would be very tough. After an injury, I am still in the build-up and then a race of five hours and three quarters is very long. Fortunately, I managed to hold on to my second place. Super happy to be on the podium in this race,” said Bakker.
In the men’s race, teammate Paul Häuser was in the five-man leading group but after a flat tire he had to let the eventual winner Peat Weinberg, Niclas Ranker, Wout Janssen and Simon Gregoire go. Häuser managed to ride back to fifth place after a quick wheel change, but he did not see the front of the race again. Wout Janssen took silver ahead of Simon Grégoire. Teus Ruijter and Gerben Mos finished eighth and twentieth, while Rozanne Slik crossed the finish line as the sixth lady.