Team LottoNL-Jumbo finished the Tour de France today in Paris with all nine men, including five debutants Dylan Groenewegen, Timo Roosen, Bert-Jan Lindeman, George Bennett and Robert Wagner. Sky’s Chris Froome won the 2016 race over Frenchman Romain Bardet (AG2R). André Greipel won the final stage. Timo Roosen crashed in that stage while Dylan Groenewegen and Maarten Wynants punctured in the decisive part of it.

“It was our goal to win a stage, but we weren’t able to do that,” Sports Director Merijn Zeeman said. “Beyond that, Dylan Groenewegen did well to finish this Tour. It is beyond all expectations and very strong of him. It’s important for the development of his career. He gained a lot of experience and endurance. 

“In the bunch sprints, we showed that we’re not there yet, but we have great potential. The men in the sprint train performed well, but they weren’t immediately able to win a stage in the Tour. Robert Gesink could not start after his crash, so we weren’t able to fill that gap for the stage win. 

“Wilco Kelderman had a difficult Tour de France. His first week was good, but after his first crash, he struggled. With his fight in the final weekend, he showed that he’s mentally strong. We backed that up by riding into Paris with five debutants. For a first-time Tour cyclist, that’s special.”

Groenewegen

Dylan Groenewegen agreed. He said, “It’s awesome to finish the Tour de France. I don’t think many people expected me to make it. I feel great about this Tour. I don’t like the mountains, but I managed to ride them a little easier every day. I’m satisfied about some of my sprints, as well. I proved to be able to compete at this level. I still have to learn a lot on the other hand.”

Vanmarcke

“It went better and better with the lead-out for the sprint,” Sep Vanmarcke added. “We delivered some good result. No superb results, but we don’t have to be too disappointed about that. Personally, I was happy with the stage to the Mont Ventoux. That I managed to finish in the top 10 was beautiful. I enjoyed this Tour. It was the most pleasant one I ever rode.”

Roosen

Timo Roosen enjoyed the stage to the Mont Ventoux, as well. He said, “That was an awesome experience. It gives me a special feeling to finish my first Tour. It has been three tough weeks, but it was beautiful. I really loved playing such a big role in the lead-out for the sprint. I felt that I was strong. It just should have come out just a little bit better for us, though.”

Wynants

“We learned so much,” Maarten Wynants explained. “Now we know the level we have to reach. There is a lot of chaos in the Tour and we learned a lot from that. To ride the Tour is different from other races and it’s beautiful to experience that part of our process. I’m glad that I finished this Tour and I’m happy that I’ve been able to do my thing for Dylan’s sprint.”

Martens

Paul Martens enjoyed working together in the sprint train, as well. He said, “Personally, I didn’t have much to aim for myself in this Tour. The stages were too hard or too flat, and never suited me. Everything went quite well with Dylan. We work well as a team. We can build on that.”

Wagner

“Blood, sweat and tears,” Robert Wagner described his first Tour. “A dream came true for me. I finished my first Tour and at the age of 33, I feel like a real cyclist for the first time in my life. I finished the Vuelta three times and they were very hard, as well. Those grand tours aren’t too different physically, but the Tour de France is special.”

Lindeman

Bert-Jan Lindeman debuted in the Tour, as well. “To ride a grand tour is the most beautiful thing for me,” he explained. “I noticed the difference of level between the Tour and other races. It’s a lot harder to be part of the breakaway. All the riders are at a top level and motivated. I fought for the stage win one day and I would love to come back here to go for it another time.”

Bennett

“It was a rollercoaster,” George Bennett said. “I’ve had some good moments, bad moments, frustration and successes. This is a learning process. I started with the task to help Wilco, but after his crash in the first week, we changed tactics. I’ve been riding aggressively and gave it all. You learn the most if you approach it like that. I’m very happy with finishing my first Tour.”

Kelderman

Wilco Kelderman had to deal with some disappointments, but recovered to show off in the final days of the race. “I stayed motivated until the end,” he said. “I just wasn’t able to make it into the breakaway too often. I gave it all and fought as much as possible.”