Today’s Veenendaal-Veenendaal Classic presented a tough challenge to our talents as the 1.1 category of the race attracted a competitive field to the start line. After becoming U23 European Road Race Champion and winning a stage in Czech Tour last weekend, our Alberto Dainese was one of the favorites as the race started. However, the strong Italian had to go back to the team car after 40 km, and change his rear wheel as it was broken.

It took a while until the breakaway was firmly formed, and again we had our Sven Burger up the road representing the Academy flag in a 14-man move. The good cooperation among the leaders caused the gap to raise, but the bunch stablished at around two minutes. Despite the early control, the gap did not fall and the break entered into the closing 25 km with gap that exceeded the minute and a half, making it clear that the victory would be played among the members of the leading group.

Our Sven Burger went on the attack with 20 km left and brought another rider to his wheel. They got a ten second gap, but the chasing group reacted quickly and brought them back. The eventual winning move, featured three riders with our Dutchman going for a solo chase a few meters back. Despite the strong effort did during the whole day, he could not bridge across and crossed the line in fifth place. Which accounts as the second top placement (after being sixth in Slag om Norg) in 1.1 races for the Dutchman.

On another note, our Marten Kooistra completed the first stage of the Tour of Denmark, which is his first race as a trainee for Team Sunweb. In the Tour de l’Avenir, the riders enjoyed a well-deserved rest day before ressuming the
cycling action tomorrow.