Shirin van Anrooij will not be competing for her first Dutch national cyclo-cross title among the pros today after all. The 23-year-old rider has been ill in recent days and was therefore unable to pin on a race number for the national championship in Huijbergen.
"No national cyclo-cross championships for me today. Unfortunately, I have been sick the past few days and have not yet recovered enough to race. That's a shame, but it's important to listen to my body. Good luck to everyone racing today!", Van Anrooij announced via Instagram.
For the Baloise Insurance–Het Poetsbureau Lions rider, this is another setback. Van Anrooij already had to miss part of the Christmas and New Year period due to back problems following a crash in the World Cup in Gavere (December 26).
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She said she needed that extra rest. Van Anrooij returned to racing at the Zonhoven World Cup. She finished fifth and immediately regained some confidence. "It was a tough race, but overall I’m satisfied. My feeling is getting better again, and I’m happy about that," she said afterwards to the WielerFlits camera.
Onwards to the 'home World Championships'
Van Anrooij will now mainly focus on the World Championships in Hulst. The elite women's title race will take place on Saturday, January 31. As a native of Zeeland, she is keen to shine in front of her home crowd.
"The World Championships in Hoogerheide were also very special. Because I won there as an under-23, but also because it was just about a half-hour ride from my home in Goes. I could just ride my bike to the recon. But now a World Championship in my own province, that’s really cool," she said in November already looking ahead with the NOS towards her main goal this winter.
