Kraak fourth on third stage Tour of Scandinavia
Amber Kraak has finished fourth in the third stage of the Tour of Scandinavia. The 29-year-old Dutchwoman just missed out on a podium place. Lorena Wiebes won the stage. Kraak's fourth place puts her fifth in the general classification ahead of Saturday's time trial.
There were many attacks between Kongsberg and the finish in Larvik. With 50 kilometres to go, Maud Oudeman saw her chance. A trio joined the 19-year-old rider of Team Jumbo-Visma, but a nervous peloton refused to let up. Eventually, Carina Schrempf tried a solo move, but the reduced peloton had set its sights on a sprint in the streets of Larvik. Kraak had an excellent final shot in her legs, but in the end, she trailed Wiebes, Liane Lippert and general classification leader Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig.
"I'm happy with fourth place. It was the best I could do"
"It was a hectic stage with many attacks”, Kraak said. "When the climbs started, there were constant attacks. In the end, there were four Team Jumbo-Visma riders in the reduced peloton. It was a good situation for us to have Maud in the lead group for a while. Then, it was up to me to concentrate on the final. I'm happy with fourth place. It was the best I could do today.”
The teams will travel from Norway to Denmark for the final two stages. On Saturday, the individual time trial will be held over approximately 16 kilometres. Kraak will start the race against the clock in fifth place in the general classification, 49 seconds behind leader Ludwig. "It will be important to get a good result in the time trial. I want to retain my good position in the general classification”, Kraak said.