Anouska Koster has finished third in the Dutch Championship. After a tough race conquering the Col du Vam seventeen times, she only had to tolerate Anna van der Breggen and Annemiek van Vleuten in front of her on the final climb.
After a rainy start Koster was soon part of a leading group of three. ’’I felt good from the start and the team was amazing. We were actively in the front from the beginning, which was crucial on this course. Jip van den Bos was already ahead so when Anna van der Breggen placed an attack I wanted to come along. That’s where the race started.’’
The peloton soon broke into pieces with Team Parkhotel Valkenburg actively in the front controlling the first group. Eventually only thirteen riders were left in the chasing group including Nancy van der Burg, Demi Vollering and Nina Buijsman. After a second attack by van der Breggen, Anouska had to let go and was caught up by Annemiek van Vleuten. She gave it all to stay ahead of the other chasers and made it to an impressive third place.
‘’It was a tough but beautiful race. You always want to go for the win and I did all I could. You know that riders can always come back from behind so you have to play smart. In the end this was the highest I could aim for’’, Anouska said.
Results:
1 Anna van der Breggen
2 Annemiek van Vleuten
3 Anouska Koster
8 Nancy van der Burg
10 Demi Vollering
11. Nina Buijsman