Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 8:52 AM
Friday evening was a particularly good evening for the Netherlands at the Track Cycling World Championships. No fewer than four medals were won, including one gold. Yet there was also disappointment in the Dutch camp. Jeffrey Hoogland in particular was not satisfied with his silver medal in the Kilometer. “I’m really disappointed,” he said afterwards NOS.
Lavreysen won the Kilometer on Friday evening in a dizzying time. “I immediately knew I was on the right track. And I knew that record could be broken one day. The World Championships have been held for more than a hundred years and have many great records and rankings. The fact that I can be at the top of one of those lists is very special.”
“I knew that I had to go for that kilometer time trial one day,” said Lavreysen, who completed the Kilometer for the first time at a world championship. “This year seemed perfectly suited to me, so close to the Olympic Games. And I really enjoyed it today.”
Very disappointed Hoogland
Because Lavreysen won gold, Hoogland came second. He was anything but satisfied with that: “I’m really disappointed. I had the feeling that I was not comfortable on the bike and could not accelerate. It just didn’t go well. I think this was my worst mile ever, and at the worst time. I didn’t get off to a good start at any point. It is just very unfortunate that it happened in a final where Harrie participated,” concluded a very disappointed Hoogland.
Joy at Van de Wouw and Heijnen
Earlier in the evening, Hetty van de Wouw won silver in the sprint. A strong performance by Van de Wouw, who was beaten by Emma Finucane in the final. “I no longer had the legs I needed in the final. To win against Finucane I have to come from a better background. (…) I think the semi-final cost me a bit too much, so I was no longer involved in the final.”
The Netherlands’ fourth medal on Friday evening came from Philip Heijnen. He won bronze in the points race. “I am very satisfied with this medal,” said Heijnen. “But with a little smarter driving there might have been a little more benefit. For a long time everything was going my way, but after a hundred laps I thought: bwoah… we still have sixty to go! Maybe I adjusted my course a little too much to Niklas Larsen, I could have driven a little smarter. At the end a good group drives away (with later winner Sebastian Mora, ed.), I just have to be there. I looked at Larsen too much there.”
The Netherlands at the Track Cycling World Championships: A Night of Triumph and Tribulation
Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 8:52 AM
Ah, Friday night lights, or should I say Velodrome lights! The Netherlands absolutely tore it up at the Track Cycling World Championships with four shiny medals hanging around their necks, including a glorious gold. But hold your horses! Not everyone was left grinning ear to ear. Enter stage left: Jeffrey Hoogland, sporting that classic “I just stepped in something” expression after bagging silver in the Kilometer. “I’m really disappointed,” he lamented, as if someone had just revealed that his favorite TV show was cancelled. Don’t worry, Jeffrey, we’ve all been there!
The Sweet Victory of Lavreysen
In a spin worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, Lavreysen set the track ablaze in the Kilometer, racking up a dizzying time that had spectators wondering if the bike was secretly equipped with rocket boosters! “I immediately knew I was on the right track,” he exclaimed, positioning himself as the cycling equivalent of a motivational speaker. Who knew cycling circles could be so motivational? Let’s hope he doesn’t turn into one of those life coaches who charges you 500 euros to tell you to “believe in yourself.”
His excitement was palpable as he mentioned, “This year seemed perfectly suited to me, so close to the Olympic Games.” And honestly, if the world championships didn’t ramp you up for the Olympics, what would? Watching paint dry? What a time to be alive!
Hoogland’s Heavy Heart
But alas, not all stories end on a high note. Jeffrey Hoogland—bless his heart—was not a happy camper alongside his silver. “I had the feeling that I was not comfortable on the bike and could not accelerate,” he groaned. Sounds like me trying to keep up with my kids on their bicycles! The man was practically begging the universe for a do-over, filled with regret over what he dubbed his “worst mile ever.” I can almost hear the cycling gods rolling their eyes, “It’s just a medal, Jeffrey! Ever heard of a participation trophy?”
Cheers for Van de Wouw and Heijnen
Now, while Hoogland was wrestling with his demons, there was joy elsewhere in the Dutch camp. Hetty van de Wouw snagged silver in the sprint, and frankly, if her performance was half as impressive as her name, she deserves a trophy just for that! “To win against Finucane I have to come from a better background,” she conceded, apparently unaware we don’t judge speed by family lineage. What is this, the cycling version of the “Hunger Games?”
Then there’s Philip Heijnen, who graciously took bronze in the points race. “I am very satisfied with this medal,” he mused, trying to persist through the rollercoaster of emotions typical of a sporting event. “But with a little smarter driving there might have been a little more benefit.” Ah yes, the classic ‘could’ve, should’ve, would’ve’—better luck next time, Philip! Maybe next time don’t take driving tips from Mrs. Heijnen.
