Jos van Emden retained his yellow jersey lead in the Ster ZLM Toer today. Wesley Kreder won the second stage in Oss, the Netherlands. The team Roompot cyclist remained from an early escape. Dylan Groenewegen sprinted to fifth place, second in the bunch behind Marcel Kittel.

Early in the stage, a group rode free with Jasper Hamilink (Metec-TKH), Merry Korevaar (Rabobank), Twan van den Brand (Jo Piels) and Wesley Kreder (Roompot). Kreder beat his rivals and 10 seconds later, Kittel (Etixx-Quick Step) led the group sprint.

“Escapees have an advantage in the rain,” Van Emden said. “The final was harder than you might think. I had to go deep. I was hoping that Dylan was going to win, and not Kittel."

"It was a race with two goals: the leader's jersey and a sprint win,” said Sports Director Nico Verhoeven. "If some other team has the leader's jersey you can control the break with two teams, but it all fell on our shoulders. You may have to sacrifice everyone, and doing so, you pull for another rival rider."

‘Two more chances’

“With only 200 meters out, I started my sprint and only Kittel passed me,” Groenewegen said. “Unfortunately, it was for the fourth place. I am satisfied, I sprinted well.

“Today, we spent the whole day riding in the lead, but we have strong men here to do so. I think we will have two more chances, one tomorrow and one Sunday.”