The stage was hit by a strong wind and heavy rainfall. That didn’t stop Team Jumbo-Visma from controlling the race. The early breakaway got reeled in in the last three kilometres, after which the team brought Mike Teunissen and Dylan Groenewegen in an ideal position for the sprint.

“I didn’t know exactly where Dylan was”, Mike Teunissen said. “That is why I waited too long to start the sprint. We were in an ideal position. This is very disappointing and we need to do better in the next days. We did really well as a team all day and we were in control. Due to the weather conditions, it was also a hectic and nervous day.”

Sports director Jan Boven had seen a good team, despite the failed sprint. “In the end, we didn’t manage to sprint because Dylan got boxed in. Nevertheless I have seen a good team that took the initiative. Last year, it didn’t end in a sprint two or three times. We want to prevent that to happen this year. Maarten and Jos did a tremendous amount of work in the last kilometres to chase down the breakaway. Mike and Dylan were where they had to be for the sprint. Let’s see what will happen tomorrow.”

Groenewegen himself was disappointed by the missed opportunity. “I got boxed in by the rider who came off the front of the peloton. That’s a pity, because I felt good.”