Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s Dylan Groenewegen placed third in the Tour of Drenthe today. The nearly 200-kilometre race was won by Jesper Asselman (Team Roompot) who escaped in the last few kilometres. Second place went to Tim Ariesen (SEG Racing Academy).

The 54th edition of Energiewacht Rond van Drenthe was held in good weather, good for echelons until the wind let up.

Disappointed
"We placed third today with Dylan, but I'm not satisfied," said sports director Merijn Zeeman after the race. "We let down ourselves today and it does not feel good. We had victory in mind, but after the first time up the VAM mountain, we lost the initiative. Dylan was alone with a force manoeuvre by team Roompot, which incidentally earned them the win. But from our side, it should have never happen. "

In the final, a large leading group of 17 riders rode away on the VAM mountain.

"We wanted to keep it in check today, with only a small group allowed to move free,” Zeeman added. "That all fell apart. Dylan rode a fantastic race, but even if he had won, I would not be satisfied because it would’ve been an individual and not a team victory.”

Focus

"It definitely could have gone better today," Dylan Groenewegen added. "Just before the VAM mountain, I had a flat tyre and got a wheel from Koen Bouwman. I fought me back to the front and made the right escape, but all alone. At some point, you have to gamble. Two men went and I won the sprint for third place. A missed opportunity!

“But I'm happy with my form and won’t dwell too much on this. We have to get going as a team again. We will focus on Wednesday in the Nokere Koerse. We will straighten it out.”