LottoNL-Jumbo rider Mike Teunissen finished ninth in Paris-Tours. Italian Matteo Trentin of Etixx-Quick-Step won the 231-kilometre French classic in a record speed. Maarten Wyants and Twan Castelijns which were also part of the leading group, they finished respectively 11th and 18th.

The wind played an important role in the open spaces between the two French cities Paris and Tours. Wynants, Castelijns and Teunissen made good use of the wind and were able to pull away with 22 other riders. On the penultimate hill in the final, Trentin, Van Avermaet, Van der Sande and Brutt attacked. At that moment, all the LottoNL-Jumbo riders had to wave good-bye."

Maarten Wynants came only 10 meters short at the top," said Sports Director, Jan Boven. “Also Mike Teunissen was dropped, but that is absolutely no shame when you see who took off there. Mike is ninth and that is good. We had three riders in the leading group. Twan Castelijns also rode a strong race."

Good form
Mike Teunissen felt extra motivation before the start. Teunissen won the U23 edition of Paris-Tours last year. The young Dutchman took his good condition from the Vuelta to France.

"I felt a little extra motivation. Last year, I won here as an U23," Teunissen said. "But these are the big men and another category. I felt good today. I couldn’t follow on the climb when the battle was on. Maarten was very close to close the gap but never caught the wheel. We tried to organise the chase but it did not work out. Anyway, I'm happy with ninth place."