Algarve cyclist Daniela Campos was ranked 14th yesterday in the long-distance race for women's under-23s at the European Road Championships, in the Netherlands.
The 108-kilometre race, starting in Coervorden, began on the third of six passes over the Col du Vam, the climb where the race ended. At that time, they attacked the British Zoe Backstedt and the Dutch Maike van der Duin. The United Kingdom runner isolated herself at the front and was caught by the first group at the start of the last lap.
In the group that then formed at the front of the race was Daniela Campos. The Algarve runner always remained attentive and well placed, with the ability to respond to the main accelerations, and it was at the start of the last lap that six runners stood out who would go on to discuss the podium.
The Dutch Ilse Pluimers was the strongest and beat the British Anna Shackley in the sprint, who spent another second. Third, also a second behind, was the Swiss Linda Zanetti.
Daniela Campos arrived in the first large group, achieving 14th place, 25 seconds behind the winner.
«What merit it has! When she broke her collarbone for the last time, three days after the operation she was already training on the rollers. This result is very deserved", exulted the national women's cycling selector José Luis Algarra.
The runner was also very satisfied with the result and performance.
«I'm quite happy with the result. Considering the difficult season I've had and the few days of competition this year, I think it's very good. It is a reflection of all the work I have done, despite the setbacks, and shows that I have the value to be in the front group and, in the future, discuss these races», stated Daniela Campos.
The Portuguese cyclist believes that, «in a race like this, positioning is key. That's what led me to do a good race».
It was precisely the difficulty of placement that hampered the performance of the other Portuguese woman in the race, Beatriz Pereira, who crossed the finish line in 73rd position, 6m16s behind the winner.
«The initial part of the race was crazy, it just smelled like rubber. There were a lot of falls and I wasn't exactly well positioned, I ended up getting stuck in some. I was always slightly misplaced, as I went up and down I paid the bill. I took off on the third lap and then struggled to finish the race. The first objective – to finish – was achieved, now it’s time to think about improving for the future”, said Beatriz Pereira.
The long-distance races of the European Championship continue this Saturday.
The junior men leave at 8 am for a 00 kilometer race, resulting in eight laps of the circuit around Col do Vam. Portugal will be represented by Daniel Moreira, José Miguel Moreira, Manuel Marques and Tiago Santos.
At 12:45 pm, the start of the women's elite race will be given, which will feature Maria Martins. The start takes place in Meppel, followed by a 62-kilometre connection to the Col du Vam, the circuit of which will be completed five times to total 131,3 kilometres.
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