Second again: Pim Ronhaar has reached the podium in each of his last three cyclocross races but is still searching for his first victory of the season. In Overijse, after a thrilling head-to-head battle, he narrowly had to concede defeat to Michael Vanthourenhout, but the Dutch rider was mostly satisfied with his performance afterward.
In the climbing cross of Overijse, Ronhaar showed his attacking side. Does he see himself as the instigator of the day? “Well, I don’t know. I didn’t ride at the front in the first three laps,” the 24-year-old cyclocross rider responded to the camera of WielerFlits. “After that, I gave it gas once. I saw it was breaking up quite fast, and that I could quickly gain ten seconds.”
“I just couldn’t hold it. Then I let the others come back and waited to attack again. Three laps from the finish, I rode away with Michael (Vanthourenhout, ed.). For a brief moment, I felt like we were equally strong, but he had just a bit more punch left in his legs.”
Taking the initiative
Ronhaar seems to be taking even more initiative this season during races. “On a circuit like this, it’s not a bad thing to do. You race either uphill or downhill here. Many people criticize me for liking to take the initiative, but if I win once, I’ll basically shut them up again,” he laughs. “It all depends on the final result. I don’t think I would have beaten Michael by just sitting in his wheel.”
Pim Ronhaar (left) on the podium in Overijse – photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
How far is Ronhaar now from a victory? “Not far. Yesterday I lost by eight to nine seconds, just like today. Maybe it will turn around sometime. I know that I improve over the course of the season. I have one goal, and that is the European Championships. That’s what we are working towards. That doesn’t mean I will suddenly be much better, but we’re on track.”
European Championship ambitions
So it’s still waiting for Ronhaar’s first win of the season, but after a difficult period, he is making a strong comeback on the cyclocross front. “That feels good. I often get asked how it came about, but I actually don’t want to look back on it anymore. Right now I’m riding really well and hope to maintain that. I know what I have to do to stay good. That’s it.”
Has Ronhaar identified any specific races where he really wants to shine? “There are a few races where I really want to do well. The European Championships is one of the first races I’ve really made a goal out of. I became world champion in Ostend (at the Under-23 level, ed.), and I think it’s a similar course. On a good day, I should be able to compete for the prizes there. I’m also really looking forward to the World Cup.”
Telenet Superprestige Overijse| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 01:00:45 | |
| 2 | + 07 | |
| 3 | + 13 | |
| 4 | + 15 | |
| 5 | + 17 | |
| 6 | + 18 | |
| 7 | + 19 | |
| 8 | + 29 | |
| 9 | + 35 | |
| 10 | + 41 |
