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Day 4 - Limburg looms

By the time the sun rose on day 4 of the race, riders stretched along the route from Limburg to Friesland, spanning over 1000km.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEmtD-KlnBi/

Jasmijn Muller (cap 2) had riden through the night and started day 4 in Zeeland heading for Limburg via Noord Brabant. In the town of Goes she was fortunate enought to find a bike shop specialising in sports bikes where she could get the slow puncture in her real tyre fixed. Jasmijn finished the day in a hotel in Stein, resting before the big climbs.

Meanwhile further along the route, Bart Verheijnen (cap 44) had already reached the edge of the Limburg hills. Bart completed the race in 2019, and is aiming to beat his previous time of 4 days 10 hours.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEmCNyZHDlK/

The leaders had crossed into Limburg during the end of day 3 and were making their way through the selection of killer climbs. They might not look like much compared to famous climbs Mont ventoux, but with 1600+km in your legs, you really feel it. Bernd Paul (cap 121) was closing in on Daan Marsman (cap 31), but wasn't able to make up the distance. Last years winner Bas Vlaskamp (cap 1) was fighting shermers kneck, and chose to stop in Sittard (~1720km).

Further back, riders were enjoying passing the all important half way point, and the mental milestone that the finish is now closer than the start.

https://twitter.com/FP_GDGT/status/1300750161736540161

The leg north of Amsterdam takes in the historic villages of Vollendam, and Edam, crossing the lock gates at Edam did cause some issues for some riders...

https://twitter.com/aaiBoek/status/1300682580191260704

Elsewhere Francien Peterse (cap 10) completed 256km from Almere to Zandvoort. Her consistant pace and distance each day is proving to be key to a successful finish.

https://twitter.com/FP_GDGT/status/1300888754958327811

Florine Koning (cap 58) put in a strong day, stopping for the day just north of Hoorn. She had hoped the low winds would be benificial but seems to be having some knee and leg soreness limiting how far she could push.

Marianne Thissen-Smits (cap 49) has been chasing down Jasmijn, but the gap has started to widen, approaching 250km by the end of day 4. Marianne stopped for the night in Zeeland.

The start of day 4 brought the unfortunate news that Eline van Staarlen (cap 3) has had to scratch, she's been battling knee pain for a couple of days now, which has finally become to much. Eline you've been fantastic, we wish you a speedy recovery, and look forward to seeing you on the startline in 2021.

Marian Bobko (cap 61) continues to make steady progress bringing up the rear as Lantern Rouge.

This update is a bit late in being published due to the trickle of riders coming into Cafe de Proloog is starting to become a steady stream.

https://twitter.com/quixoticgeek/status/1300911768915542017

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