Kruijswijk third overall in Ruta del Sol
Steven Kruijswijk has finished the Ruta del Sol in third place in the overall standings. In the hilly final stage, the podium place of the Team Jumbo-Visma leader was never in danger. The stage finished in a sprint; Kruijswijk crossed the line in tenth place.
The final stage was animated by an early breakaway with Antwan Tolhoek and yesterday’s stage winner Simon Yates. They got a maxiumum lead of five minutes but were chased down in the final twenty kilometres, after which Kruijswijk was well-protected by his Team Jumbo-Visma teammates.
“It was a very good first week of racing for me”, Kruijswijk said. “You always have to wait and see how you have come through the winter. I didn’t expect to be in this shape already and I am happy with my performance. It is a boost towards the races and goals that are yet to come.”
Sports director Frans Maassen will be going home with a good feeling. “We battled for a stage win every day. We were close with Steven and Danny, but we missed a bit of luck. That is a pity, but the third place overall for Steven made up for it big time. So all in all, we have ended this week with a good feeling.”
