Kraak takes second place in time trial Tour of Scandinavia
Amber Kraak was second fastest in the individual time trial at the Tour of Scandinavia. The Dutch rider was just behind Grace Brown. Kraak is now third in the general classification, one day before the final stage.
After three days in Norway, the Tour of Scandinavia headed to Denmark. A 16.5-kilometre flat time trial was held in Herning. Kraak, fifth in the general classification, started her race relatively late. The leader of Team Jumbo-Visma Women set fast times at the intermediate checkpoints, where she was among the top three. At the finish line, Kraak was nineteen seconds slower than the winner Brown. Kim Cadzow showed her excellent form with an eighth-place finish.
"I am thrilled”, Kraak said. "It was essential to plan the time trial perfectly. In the past, I sometimes started too slowly, but today, I went full steam right from the start. Shortly after the start, I caught up with the riders who started before me. That gave me a huge boost. In the end, the tank was empty, but I did everything to keep on going as fast as I could. I am pleased with this podium finish.”
Kraak's second place in the time trial moves her up two places in the standings. She will start the final stage in third place. "It's going to be a tough day”, Kraak said. "We have a big task ahead of us as a team to defend this place. But I'm sure everyone will work towards it, and hopefully, I'll be on the final podium tomorrow.”