In the final stage of the Volta a la Valenciana, Dylan Groenewegen sprinted to second place behind solo escapee Stijn Vandenbergh. The Belgian of Etixx-Quick-Step crossed the finish line just before the pack with final overall winner Wout Poels (Sky).

The stage was relatively flat and had only one obstacle halfway through. Team LottoNL-Jumbo stayed with Groenewegen on the third category climb to bring him back to the peloton in the event of problems. On the descent, almost the entire team slid out in a corner and crashed. Only Groenewegen could continue quickly.

"We had bad luck on the descent of the Alto Oronet. Five riders from our team slid, including Paul Martens and Tom Leezer. Dylan was okay and could quickly continue, but the rest stood still,“ said sports director Merijn Zeeman. "Dylan was able to still join the first group, but was isolated because the other boys could never return. It’s extra sour when you finish second that way."

In the streets of Valencia, the riders had six short laps to cover. Sprinter Nacer Bouhanni’s team, Cofidis, did not take the initiative and asked Groenewegen if his team wanted to work to catch escapee Vandenbergh.

"Cofidis asked for help, but my guys all crashed," said Groenewegen. "We were well grouped when we suddenly slipped with the whole group in a corner. I was able to jump quickly on my bike. I then made my own race. It is unfortunate that I had nobody with me in the final, perhaps the outcome would have been different otherwise. But it was strong of Stijn to keep the lead. Bouhanni tried to slow me down in the last corner. I came over him and won the bunch sprint easily."

Team LottoNL-Jumbo can look back on a successful Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana with a win and a second place, and the time trail of Victor Campenaerts provides perspective.

"As a team we rode well," Groenewegen continued. "Valencia will serve us well for the next race.”