Racing round-up: A drenched Ronde Van Drenthe
Two Dutch races, two wins for the local superwoman.
The Ronde van Drenthe is an elite men and women’s road race that takes place in Drenthe, Netherlands. The women’s event was launched in 2007 and it was the first round of the 2013 UCI Women’s Road World Cup.
2013 saw the seventh Ronde van Drenthe take place in the Netherlands, the 133km route starts and finishes in Hoogeveen. The race is one of only five road races that are shown live, and it offers an interesting race through cold conditions on cobbled roads with slight variations in routes and length each year. It also coincides with the men’s race which is now in its 51st year and it makes up part of the UCI Europe Tour.
The Ronde van Drenthe usually makes up a series of events as part of a festival of cycling in the Netherlands. The race has become known for its climb – a man-made hill that used to be a municipal rubbish tip, as well as its tight roads no wider than a bike path. The location is usually prone to unpredictable weather, with the 2013 race being no exception bringing heavy rain and cold temperatures. Local rider, Marianne Vos took the win making it her third consecutive Drenthe victory.
