Powless shows will power in final stage California

After his eighth place in the time trial, Neilson Powless has once again showed his potential. In the last stage of the Tour of California, from and to Sacramento, the 21-year-old leader of Team LottoNL-Jumbo attacked and he was in the breakaway for over one hundred and thirty kilometres. Powless, who is born in Sacramento, and his three companions only got chased down in the last five kilometres after which the stage ended in a sprint finish. In the overall standings nothing changed. Antwan Tolhoek finished thirteenth, Powless fifteenth.

"Today I really wanted to get in the breakaway", thus Powless. "Today's stage was so close to home. The wind could have played a factor if it was just a bit stronger. But in the end, we just didn't have enough time when we hit circuits. For the tour as a whole, I'm disappointed my form wasn't where it needed to be, but I can learn a lot after having a performance like this. I could feel myself getting a little stronger each day. Hopefully that bodes well for the Dauphiné!" 

Sports director Merijn Zeeman looks back on the Tour of California with mixed feelings. "California is a wonderful race with plenty of opportunities to develop our talents. Neilson and Antwan learned a lot and at times they showed their potential and possibilities. We came here for a top ten in the final ranking, but we didn't succeed in that. "

looks back on the Tour of California with mixed feelings. "California is a wonderful course with plenty of opportunities to develop our talents. Neilson and Antwan learned a lot and at times they showed their class and possibilities. We came here for a top ten in the final ranking, but we did not succeed. "

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