Steven Kruijswijk came through the second stage of the Vuelta a España without problems today. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s front man had an easy day and was supported by his team-mates to stay in front during the final part of the race. Gianni Meersman (Etixx - Quick Step) won the stage in a bunch sprint.

“It was an easy day,” Sports Director Jan Boven said. “The race was controlled by the sprinters’ teams and that was a good scenario for us. So we came through the day without any problems and got our chance to focus on the final part of it. The guys did it quite well. Steven Kruijswijk was always in a good position, together with Bram Tankink and Jos van Emden. Enrico Battaglin got his chance to sprint today, but he lost his position due to a crash at the final roundabout of the race. He came back in front too late to have a real chance and finished 17th.”

Steven Kruijswijk agreed that he had an easy day. “Until the final 25 kilometres, it was an easy stage,” he added. “From that moment, Jos, Bram and Martijn Keizer held me in front. I was at the place I needed to be.

Very steep

“Tomorrow, the race finishes uphill already. I’m not familiar with this climb, but Robert Gesink told me that it’s very steep. That means we just have to give it our all.”