Finnish teammates

Last year, Restore Cycling did well in the junior women’s category. The team won a stage and the overall classification with Jenna van Tongeren. Finland’s Heidi Antikainen just failed to win the green jersey. This year, the club from Pijnacker is hoping for success again with Finnish riders. Aava Thomas (U17 girls) and Viivi Turpeinen (juniors) are both riding their second Jeugdtour.

The high level in the Netherlands and Belgium was the reason for both riders to join Restore. ‘There is not only harder racing in the Netherlands, but there are also many more riders here who can compete at a high level,’ says Aava about her choice to join a Dutch club. Viivi adds that it is difficult to be able to ride big races with a Finnish club. At Restore, she also has the opportunity to be in the Netherlands for longer periods. She then stays with her team leader.

Aava notices that compared to last year, she has already improved in positioning. This is something she would like to keep working on in the coming period. Her main goal is to be able to compete in the EYOF (the European Youth Olympic Festival) next year. Viivi’s goal is to make the step up to a pro team in the next two years from the U23 category.

The European Junior Cycling Tour Assen started well for Restore. Maureen Abma won the first stage and took the yellow jersey in the junior women. Viivi had a mechanical, missed the leading group but still managed to finish in the peloton. In the coming days, she plans to try and attack herself and help her teammate defend yellow. Aava wants to try to start each stage’s sprints from a good position. Together, they will keep up Finnish honour in Assen.

By Phaedra Krol