For the second time this year the NL Crit Series held their races at the fast club course of ‘de Bataaf’ in Zwanenburg near Amsterdam. The women’s race, unfortunately only 2 riders were present in this category this time, was combined with the B race.
Text: Date Burgerjon (Men’s A) Merlijn Spenkelink (Men’s B + Women’s)
Photography: Merlijn Spenkelink
The womans & B race was a wet and wild one from the start. As soon as the riders where underway, it started raining heavily which didn’t make things easier. Ide Schelling got the prime right before Fred van Dapperen and started the decisive breakaway with Max Mesman at that moment. The peloton fought and kept a pretty high pace despite the rain and wet corners, but they didn’t work well enough together to get the leaders back. Ide Schelling won the race in a sprint-a-deux!
In the woman’s race it was Nathalie Simoens who won the Zwanenburg crit once again, managing to keep a position in the men’s peloton.”
The A-race was fast and filled with attacks. The first prime (2nd lap) was won by series leader Edwin van Kerkhof. After this prime the attacks began. FAST Amsterdam was racing very alert either controlling the race or by being present in break-away attempts. There were different riders trying to get away from the main group every round. Sometimes they managed to open up a small gap but most of the time the attackers were caught immediately.
FAST Amsterdam’ Luc Ducrot took the second prime (10th lap). He decided to try his luck and continued his effort, opening a small gap with 8-Bar riders David van Eerd and Tim Ceresa. But once again the peloton returned. Due to the fast course, none of the attacks went in the distance, but that didn’t stop the riders from continuing to attack. With 4 laps to go the riders seem to take it easy, anticipating an unavoidable mass sprint.
With two laps to go Fixedgearcrit.com rider Brian Megens tried his luck one more time. He was joined by David van Eerd and for a moment it looked as if they were going to sprint for the win. However, Edwin van Kerkhof chased them down. In the final lap, there was an ultimate attack from Bram Linnartz (Team WIT) that failed as well.
The final sprint was won with a couple of lengths by Tim Ceresa, making it look easy. Edwin van Kerkhof and Kaj Verhaegh came in second and third.
Tim Ceresa was very happy with his win. “I tried several times, I came in second 4 times or something, but now I’ve finally won a NL Crit Series race. (…) It was such a fast race with so many attacks. Luckily, we (8-Bar) were with two strong riders today.”
“David told me he would try and attack, if that wouldn’t work I could go for the sprint. It almost went wrong in the end when I lost his wheel. I came out the last corner in fourth or fifth place, and started my sprint straight away, I was pushing 50×14 and quickly gaining ground on the others. Because of my heavier gear I still accelerated when the others started slowing down.” Tim explains his strong showing in the sprint.
Because of Tim’s occupation as a ski instructor he started his season late. But with a win in La Petit Course, top 10 in RHC London and 2ND place in the 8-Bar crit in Berlin, Ceresa is having a strong second half of the season. “I feel there is still room for improvement, I’m racing in Copenhagen next week and then I’ll go for another top-10 in RHC Barcelona.”
Not everybody was as happy after the race. Even though he came in second, Edwin van Kerkhof lost his leaders jersey to David van Eerd. Due to the worst races being deducted from the points total mid-season. “It’s a weird that I finish before David but still loose the jersey to him. I hope they change the rules next season. It feels like I’m getting punished for participating in every race”, Edwin explains.
Men’s A podium
1. Tim Ceressa – 8Bar Team
2. Edwin van Kerkhof – FAST Amsterdam
3. Kaj Verhaegh – Team WIT
Men’s B podium
1. Ide Schelling – Team Agga
2. Max Mesman – Team Agga
3. Thomas Fontijn – Good Cycling
Women’s podium
1. Nathalie Simoens – FAST Amsterdam
2. Jonnemei Colnot
There are two races left in the NL Crit Series. The first one on the 17th of September in Rijswijk.
