Vera Koedooder and Kirsten Wild dominate in Amsterdam

By Edward Swier

One has sheer unlimited offensive powers and unmatched drive, the other not only has endurance, but a very fast sprint as well. During the Amsterdam Six day, held from October 19 through 24, Vera Koedooder and Kirsten Wild proved to be an excellent team on the track. The Tacx sponsored duo won this important track event with a four lap lead on the competition “And we hope to be just as fit for Rotterdam in January” says Koedooder.

Koedooder impressed in Amsterdam by combining her power with tremendous leg speed. The track specific pedal stroke, which is much faster than the one needed for the road, requires specific training. The Antares rollers by Tacx help you acquire this leg speed. You have to turn your legs very fast. The rollers allow you to do just that”, says Koedooder, who hopes to qualify for the 2010 track Worlds through the World Cup Races. Wild, one of the fastest sprinters in the world, puts her road racing career first.

Before the Amsterdam Six, Kirsten Wild was somewhat nervous. She had to withdraw from the TT World Championship race due to illness and had not been competing since mid-September. "In the first few days it was clear to me that the others had more racing fitness. And of course it is always hard to find the right rhythm on the track straight away.'' But as the Six-day event progressed this all worked out fine, also thanks to the Antares. ollers you can train the high cadence needed for the track perfectly. It feels just right. I always do my real indoor training on a fixed Ergo trainer, also by Tacx, but during the Six days I spend a lot of time on the Antares. “Between events, to loosen my legs or cool down.''

Tacx team wins 2009 Six

Koedooder agrees. "During such a week in Amsterdam you use the Antares frequently. During warm- up, before and after events. I also use them at home every now and then, for instance when bad weather threatens to compromise my scheduled outdoor training.''

Functionality comes first
Koedooder and Wild, recently crowned the first national champions in the Madison, a fairly new event for women, were trashing the Siberian wood during all six days of the event. Both are taking a short break, although Koedooder is hoping to use the World Cup in Manchester to show off her form with regard to Worlds. "And of course I am bringing my Antares. It really is a very functional tool. Not only because it’s light weight, but also because it’s collapsible. The smaller you can make it, the easier it is to transport. The fact that the Antares looks much nicer than the rollers from yesteryear is a bonus. But that is not what matters most to me. A machine's functionality is the most important feature for myself and other top athletes.''