Before the start, the team faced a setback. Riejanne Markus had not recovered sufficiently from the flu and could not participate. However, the remaining foursome, consisting of Kasper, Teuntje Beekhuis, Karlijn Swinkels and Anouska Koster, did not let that setback throw them off balance. They showed themselves throughout the day in the pursuit of various leading groups.

In the final the VAM-mountain had to be climbed three times. On the penultimate climb, Team Jumbo-Visma Women had a hard time, but the team showed perseverance. During the last climb, however, the acceleration of some other riders proved too much for the foursome.

“Despite the result, we enjoyed it”, Swinkels said. “This edition of the Ronde van Drenthe was one of the longest races of the season. We rode very strongly. Even though we only had four riders at the start, we raced for six. We were alert the whole day and did not let ourselves be pushed around. In the final we just missed the power and the energy to go with the best. We will take away enough learning points from this race. Every rider has grown in the past season and we have learned enough lessons that we can work with. I am convinced that next season we will see an even stronger Team Jumbo-Visma Women.”