Comeback of Jessie Daams after a knee injury
Tomorrow the Lotto Soudal Ladies take part in the Ronde van Gelderland. The province Gelderland is situated in the east of the Netherlands. The race, 140.5 kilometres long, starts and finishes in Apeldoorn. There are some short hills on the course. The wind can be an important factor when the riders race over the dykes.
One of the six names in the Lotto Soudal selection is Jessie Daams. The Belgian rider got back in competition last week after a crash in the Ronde van Drenthe on 14th March, where she injured her left knee. Her first race was the time trial at the Provincial Championships of Limburg where she set the fastest time.
Jessie Daams: “After my crash I stayed off the bike for two weeks. The first days it was hard and I was a bit frustrated, but I had so much pain and soon I realized it wouldn’t be sensible to get on a bike. When I could start training again I was very enthusiastic, but it took about three days before it really was a training instead of just a bike ride. From then on it all went smoothly. In the weekend of the Tour of Flanders I trained in Dutch Limburg; with the Flèche Wallonne in mind I wanted to train uphill. It’s a region I like and where the Hills Classic takes place, so I did a recon of that course as well.”
“We only started with three riders in the Provincial Championships time trial, still I wanted to win. It confirmed that I’m doing well. The Ronde van Gelderland will be my last preparation for the Flèche Wallonne. There are some short hills on the course that I can use as a last test and to put pressure on the legs. It’s also important to get race kilometres. I have a good feeling on training, but I’m not where I wanted to be before the Flèche Wallonne. I’ll do the best I can on Wednesday and I’ll see where that takes me. I did everything I could to build up my condition in this very short period, I don’t have to blame myself. Maybe the Flèche Wallonne comes too soon. In two weeks it’s the stage race Elsy Jacobs in Luxemburg and then I’ll try to find my super condition there.”
Selection Lotto Soudal Ladies Ronde van Gelderland:
Elena Cecchini, Amy Cure, Jessie Daams, Anouk Rijff, Carlee Taylor and Susanna Zorzi.
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