The stage was controlled by Team Jumbo-Visma. A leading group received a maximum of two minutes and was reeled in in the last three kilometers. Groenewegen was brought in position early and was surprised by his opponents in the last hectometers.

“The moment I wanted to start the sprint, Ewan accelerated. As a result, I got boxed in”, Groenewegen said. “When I had free space to sprint, it was too short to the finish to get past them. That is a pity, especially because there are so few opportunities. We also went to the front a little too early and of course we’re also missing Wout van Aert. I know that I have the speed, but I should not be surprised by other riders. I would have liked to have won today and I certainly could have done better. Now I will try to survive the Alps and then we will go for it again in Paris.”

“Today we have taken our responsibility”, leadout Mike Teunissen said. “With so few sprint opportunities and with a sprinter like Groenewegen, someone has to do it. If all teams think that way, with the mountain stages yet to come, then it will certainly not end up in a bunch sprint. It was very hot today. If you make an effort like we did in the final, it is like hitting a wall. We tried to go early. I think we were in a good position in the end.”

Leader Steven Kruijswijk was kept out of trouble by his team. “We got through the day well despite the extreme heat. It was so hot that it was almost impossible to keep everything cool or to stay hydrated. That means you have to be careful with dividing your strenghts and energy and take care of yourself as well as possible.”