Jutta Leerdam finished third in the 500 meters on Friday in the run-up to the World Cup distances at the last World Cup competition of the season in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Poland. The Dutch had to tolerate Min-Sun Kim and winner Vanessa Herzog.
In her race, Leerdam was hardly inferior to the South Korean Kim, who was already certain of the overall victory of the World Cup. The Jumbo-Visma skater was slightly slower (38.14 to 38.08). It was the fourth time this season that Leerdam won a World Cup medal at this distance.
Herzog surprised by bettering Kim’s time in the penultimate race. The 27-year-old Austrian was the only one to ride under 38 seconds (37.96). It was the first time this season that Kim lost a 500 meters in a World Cup competition.
Michelle de Jong came fifth in the last stage (38.15). Marrit Fledderus (38.34), Dione Voskamp (38.38) and Naomi Verkerk (38.42) played a supporting role in Poland.
The World Cup race in Poland is the last test before the World Championship distances. This tournament will take place in Heerenveen from 2 to 5 March.
