19-year-old Leonie Bentveld stuns with third place in Flamanville: "I had dreamed of this, but certainly not expected it"

It was to no one's surprise that Lucinda Brand came out victorious in Flamanville. However Leonie Bentveld crossing the line in third place today was not exactly part of the script. Still only 19-year-old Dutch woman had not expected this herself.

For the very young Bentveld, it is her first podium in a classification cross among the elite women. "This is very surprising. I had dreamed of this, but certainly not expected it," were her first words in the flash interview. "I felt very strong today. A year ago I took the overall victory in the Junior World Cup here, in Flamanville. So I have good memories of this place."

"The course suits me well and I was really looking forward to this cross. That turned out very well," said Bentveld, who even had a view of second place. "I got close to Schreiber on the third lap, but I was too happy with a third place. I may have been riding a little too safely, as I was also working on the leader's jersey in the U23 World Cup."

Bentveld had a very good day, but was also already longing for some rest. "I also noticed during the cross that I was ready for a week in Spain, after a difficult first half of the season."