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Lee's Euro-Adventure: Wielerspektakel Van Steenwijk Criterium

Tony Martin wins over a tight course

Published: 08/01/11 19:54

Martin in action at the 2011 Tour de France © Tim de Waele

Tony Martin won the Wielerspektakel Van Steenwijk post-Tour de France criterium on Saturday after 100km on a tight and nervy 1.6km course that ran through the town of Steenwijk. Martin (HTC-Highroad) broke clear in the last kilometer to win by a clear margin from Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil-DCM) and Bauke Mollema (Rabobank ProTeam).

In fourth was Tour de France hero Johnny Hoogerland, also of Vacansoleil-DCM.

We arrived to another grey sky and cool temperatures of 15 degrees and a decent crowd in the northern town of Steenwijk, and were ushered into the riders’ area to have a coffee before we got changed. Sitting there in a lounge with the likes of Tony Martin, Lars Boom and Hoogerland just a few meters away is still completely unreal - though I try to act cool as if it’s nothing special, when all I am actually thinking is ‘WOW!!!’

It’s a real child-like wonder that you’re struck by, and not because they are stars - it’s because of why they are stars - they are luminaries because of what they have done. Unlike most modern celebrities, these guys have earned their status through sweat and blood, paid out on the road.

So we get changed - again I’m in a room with Hoogerland, Martin etc - then push out through the crowds waiting with cameras and notepads ready. I’m generally looked over as a curiosity (‘Who’s that?’) then looked past, but one or two fanatical fans ask for my signature, which is nice of them. We have a little pedal over the course to check the gears then line-up, and it’s not warm, we’re all shivering and waiting for the start but the stars are being introduced to the crowd , so us non-stars have to wait.

Finally we start and its just turn after turn, we’re zigging and zagging through double chicanes just millimeters from the crowd and by the second lap someone’s already down. These courses are often treacherous as the organizers want to have them in the city center, which is great to attract the crowds but not often great to race on.

The race is soon lit up by the ever-active Hoogerland, though to be honest I don’t see much of the action as I’m stuck at the back for most of the race and hardly ever move up. 6 races in 7 days has taken the power from my legs and even though the pace isn’t too demanding I am struggling at the back.

Hoggerland is greeted by huge cheers every time he hits the line but it’s the clever Martin, winner of the penultimate stage of the 2011 Tour de France that wins the day, biding his time and then striking out for the line with just over a kilometer to go.

With the course being over 3 hours from Tjarco’s home, we had to leave quick to get back, so no interview this day - we did have time though for yet another greasy hamburger, which seems to be the Dutch recovery meal - as Joost Posthuma said, it’s the “Tour of McDonald’s.”

More photos below results

Rank	Rider	Team

1.	Tony Martin	HTC - High Road
2.	Lieuwe Westra	Vacansoleil - DCM
3.	Bauke Mollema	Rabobank ProTeam
4.	Johnny Hoogerland	Vacansoleil - DCM
5.	Stefan Van Dijk	Veranda's Willems - Accent
6.	Kenny Van Hummel	Skil-Shimano
7.	Wim Stroetinga	Ubbink-Koga Cycling Team
8.	Lars Boom	Rabobank ProTeam
9.	Pim Ligthart	Vacansoleil - DCM
10.	Maarten Tjallingii	Rabobank ProTeam
11.	Leon Van Bon	Marco Polo Cycling Team
12.	Thomas Dekker
13.	Melvin Boskamp	Rabobank Continental Team
14.	Jeroen Boelen	WV De Jonge Renner
15.	Tjarco Cuppens	Fuji-cyclingtime.com
16.	Rick Ottema	Cycling Team De Rijke
17.	Tijmen Eising	Sunweb - Revor
18.	Floris Goesinnen	Drapac - Porsche Cycling
19.	Matthe Pronk	Marco Polo Cycling Team
20.	Bobbie Traksel	Landbouwkrediet
21.	Jeff Vermeulen	Cycling Team De Rijke
22.	Martijn Verschoor	Team Type 1
23.	Lee Rodgers	Fuji-cyclingtime.com
24.	Niek Hooghiemster	Ubbink-Koga Cycling Team
25.	Feng Han	Skil-Shimano
26.	Jos Harms	Metec Cycling Team
27.	Bram Schmitz	Veranda's Willems - Accent
28.	Lars Horring	Metec Cycling Team
29.	Bas Stamsnijder	Cycling Team De Rijke
30.	Marco Bos	Cyclingteam Jo Piels
31.	Marien Wallink	Craft-Sensa-RSE Cycling Team
32.	Julian Van Dijk	Metec Cycling Team
33.	Umberto Atzori	Metec Cycling Team
34.	Coen Vermeltfoort	Rabobank ProTeam