Dylan Groenwegen has won the first stage in the Tour of Norway in an impressive way. The 24-year-old sprinter from Team LottoNL-Jumbo convincingly won the sprint finish in the streets of Horten. He’s also the first leader in the overall standings. For Groenewegen, who rode his first race since Paris-Roubaix, it’s his sixth victory of the season. For Team LottoNL-Jumbo it’s the thirteenth victory this year.

The stage over 186 kilometres from Svelvik to Horten saw an early breakaway. Team LottoNL-Jumbo controlled the stage with panache and brought Groenewegen in an ideal position for the sprint.

“The boys did a perfect leadout today”, Groenewegen said. “It all went very well. It was a tough and difficult final, but most of all it was hectic. The team has done a great job by controlling the race and putting me in the perfect position for the sprint. Especially Amund Jansen and Timo Roosen were very strong in the final kilometre.”

Groenewegen was very optimistic about his chances for the rest of the week. “I’m feeling really good. Tomorrow, the stage is hillier, and the same accounts for the finish. But we are definitely going to try. It’s a nice challenge and we’ll go for it. There will be a few more chances for me and the team for sure this week. This is a nice way to start.”

Sports director Nico Verhoeven had seen a very strong team. “Dylan obviously was the fastest today. What struck me the most is how strong the team was. Everyone knows that Dylan is the fastest, so the pressure was on us. But the boys coped with it very well. Lars Boom and Pascal Eenkhoorn controlled the race the whole day, after which Paul Martens, Amund and Timo did the leadout for Dylan. He was the top favourite, but you still have to do it. Very good after a period without racing.”