Steven Kruijswijk finished fifth overall in the Tour de Yorkshire today. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s leader placed fifth in the final stage and ended up in the same position in the general classification. Thomas Voeckler (Direct Energie) won the stage and the overall.

“We delivered another strong race today,” Sports Director Merijn Zeeman said. “The team worked hard for Steven Kruijswijk and he was very strong in the final. He was in every break in the end and ended up in front with Nicholas Roche (Team Sky) and Adam Yates (Orica - GreenEDGE) eventually. It’s a pity that Voeckler and Anthony Turgis (Cofidis) were able to bridge up because it would have been a better scenario for Steven if they stayed together with the three of them.”

Confirmation

It wasn’t a feeling of disappointment that remained with Zeeman and Kruijswijk after the race, though. “I’m feeling good about this race,” Kruijswijk added. “I wanted to test myself and I succeeded. We worked for Dylan Groenewegen in the last two days and today, it was for me and Primoz Roglic. I rode aggressively today and I got the confirmation that my form is good. I needed this towards the Giro d’Italia.”

“This fifth stage wasn't a disappointment,” Zeeman continued. “We rode dominantly in these three days. Steven ends up fifth in the general classification and Dylan wins a stage and the points classification. It has been a very strong race for us. I’m proud of the guys.”