Team LottoNL-Jumbo began the Vuelta a Espana with a sixth place in the team time trial today in Ourense. The Dutch team lost 28 seconds on stage winner team Sky, with its rider Pete Kennaugh in the red leader’s jersey. Team leader Steven Kruijswijk finished safely among the first five riders of his team.

“We delivered quite a good time trial,” trainer Mathieu Heijboer said. “It was our target to bring Steven Kruijswijk to the finish line safely without losing to much time. This sixth place isn’t bad at all. We only lost a little bit too much time in the final part of the race because we ended up with just five riders quite early. That means you have to play it safe afterwards. We’re relieved because a team time trial is always stressful.

“Victor Campenaerts and Jos van Emden were the team’s motors today and Koen Bouwman, who makes his debut in a grand tour, did a terrific job as well. I’m proud of the team.”

Big compliment

Jos van Emden was very positive about Campenaerts and Bouwman, as well. “They’re riding their first grand tour,” he added. “They stayed with us until the end and really were a value in this team time trial. They deserve a big compliment. The start of our time trial was a little bit messy, but it started to run smoothly quickly afterwards. I’m satisfied with my own performance, as well. With this team, full of climbers, we did a really good job.”

“This was awesome,” Bouwman said. “This is my first grand tour, and to start with a team time trial is special. This is all new for me, but I had a great day and was able to stay with the team until the end. This was fun, I would like to do this more often.”

“This was immediately a very important day for me as a time trial specialist,” Campenaerts added. “I wanted to deliver a good job for the team and I felt strong. It was the first time that I did a team time trial on such a high level. The difference is that you do quite short turns, but it’s at a speed of 60 kilometres an hour all the time.”

Save energy 

 “We did a good job with the team,” Kruijswijk explained. “I’m satisfied about this. We started this Vuelta strongly. I want to take it a little bit easy in the first week to stay safe. It’s my target to save as much energy as possible before the hardest part of this Vuelta starts.”

“I’m really happy about today,” George Bennett, who finished with the first five riders of Team LottoNL-Jumbo, as well, added. “I’m never nervous about cycling races, but I was today. It went well, though, and I’m happy that I got it done."