HEERENVEEN, Netherlands | Ivanie Blondin added a third medal since the start of the worlds by winning the mass start silver.
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Gold medalist in the team sprint and team pursuit, Blondin won the sprint ahead of Dutchman Irene Schouten. Breaking away without anyone reacting, her compatriot Marijke Groenewoud won gold to the delight of the crowd that filled the Thialf.
The action started quickly. Olympic champion in the discipline, Schouten flew away, but Valérie Maltais quickly responded to close the gap. The two leaders were caught by the peloton and that’s when Groenewoud took to their heels to race towards victory.
Before the start, the two Canadians had agreed to take care of a Dutchwoman each if there was a breakaway attempt. “I had to take care of Groenewoud and I was surprised, explained Blondin. It’s sad that I made the same mental mistake as at the start of the World Cup season. I didn’t do my job the right way. My mistake cost Val a result.”
The efforts of Maltais who pulled the peloton for several laps favored Blondin who was able to finish the race strong after conserving his energy. “Val allowed me to get on the podium, recognized Blondin. I thank her. After the race, we spoke and Valérie told me that our strategy called for me to take care of Groenewoud. She was right, but I made a mistake. If the race had ended in a sprint with the two Dutch women, I think I would have beaten them because I had very good legs, but I can’t complain.
Maltais would have liked to go on a breakaway with Schouten when she managed to catch up with her, but the Dutchman took it easy and the peloton closed the gap. “I wanted to go on a breakaway, but the cards were played differently, she imagined. It is clear that the Dutch had planned to attack consecutively.
“We had agreed to take care of a Dutch woman each and I had just gone there, to pursue Maltais. Ivanie was supposed to go, but there was a mistake. And nobody wanted to go there in the peloton. Subsequently, I did what I could and my choices were not all to my advantage. I did everything to help Ivanie win a medal.”
Blondin withdrew from the 5000m which will take place on Sunday to concentrate on the 1500m. Maltais will take over, she who had a very good performance in the 3000m, Thursday, with a 5th place. It was his best career result.