Groenewegen wins uphill sprint in Norway

Team LottoNL-Jumbo sprinter Dylan Groenewegen sprinted uphill to win the Tour of Norway’s fourth stage today in Sarpsborg. Groenewegen, after 192 kilometres, topped Edvald Boasson Hagen and August Jensen and took his second victory of the race.

 

Previously, he had won the second stage. Pieter Weening maintained his overall leader’s jersey.

 

"It was a difficult arrival that went uphill in the last kilometre," Groenewegen said. "Boom had ridden hard for almost the whole day to catch the breakaway.

 

“The sprint train positioned me well. It was not ideal, but I ended up in Simon Gerrans's wheel and saw that Edvald Boasson Hagen went for it. Then, I also start sprinting and I beat him fairly easily."

 

The stage unfolded with an early breakaway of five cyclists. Lars Boom with the help of Team Joker went full-throttle in the chase later and brought then under control. With the escape caught deep in the final, the sprinters hit high gear heading to Sarpsborg.

 

Team LottoNL-Jumbo had two goals in the Tour of Norway, and with Groenewegen’s stage victories they have achieved those.

Sports Director Nico Verhoeven kept his team calm yesterday to stay focused on today with Groenewegen in which the 24-year-old dominated. 

 

"When the breakaway went away, nobody wanted to take any responsibility," explained Verhoeven. "Boom rode 65 kilometres hard with the Joker riders to catch them. When they were caught with five kilometres remaining, the sprint train took over and dropped Dylan off for the win.

 

“It was not that easy to win against Boasson Hagen and Gerrans because those men are specialists on these kinds of arrivals. It was a real good achievement and Dylan showed has class. Like the whole team. We dominated both stage we won, so I am pleased."

 

The victory today marked Groenewegen’s third of the season. The last stage tomorrow runs 153 kilometres to Moss.

 

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