Shirin van Anrooij rode for Demi Vollering during the World Championships, but in the final she also competed for the world title in the U23 category, with a silver medal as a result. That was not the plan beforehand, because her focus was on the elite competition.
Early in the race, at Crow Road, Van Anrooij was already dropped, but she managed to make her way back to the front of the race. "I actually felt really bad in the beginning. I was also dropped on that long climb, no idea why that happened. Then we came back and then I knew: okay, this is a new race, new opportunities."
Van Anrooij initially did not think about the U23 title, but mainly about Vollering's chances. "When we got to the local lap, we were only four left from the Netherlands and then Demi eventually said: 'that gap just has to be closed.' Then we started pacing until Demi took over and we couldn't really do anything anymore. Then we were with three U23s in the group behind and then you just know 'okay, now I can't move up anymore.' Then it's just a shame not to go for it."
On the line it was Hungary's Vas who beat Van Anrooij and Shackley to grab the U23 world title. "I know the sprint isn't really my thing and in the end I knew I should have dropped her because I just can't beat her in the sprint. That was ultimately the case, but I think after the work I did that it is still a good result," says 21-year-old Van Anrooij.
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