Dutch sprinter Dylan Groenewegen has stormed to his seventh win of the season for Team BikeExchange-Jayco in emphatic fashion on stage two of the Arctic Race of Norway.
The 29-year-old demonstrated his rapid turn of speed once again to power away from his rivals and claim the victory in Brønnøysund after an impressive team performance.
Team BikeExchange-Jayco assumed control of the race as soon as a five-rider breakaway was formed in the early kilometres of the stage, with Norwegian Amund Grøndahl Jansen and Italian Alexander Konychev taking up their position at the head of the bunch, with the duo keeping the time gap in check throughout the day.
With stage two the only real opportunity for the pure fast men, the squad made sure the 154km stage came down to a bunch sprint, despite a series of attacks as the breakaway was swept up with 12km to go.
There was a scare for Groenewegen when he had to take to the grass inside the final 3km, but the Dutchman recovered well as Dion Smith guided him back to the front ahead of the final kilometre. Once in position, Groenewegen made no mistake as he launched his sprint early and held off the pack to take the victory in style.
Dylan Groenewegen (1st):
“It’s not a normal lead out train, we are also here with general classification riders, but we did an amazing job. It looked like a real lead out train with Schultz in the end putting me in position and then I started my sprint really early, but it was enough and it’s a nice win for me and also for the team.
It was not a really easy day today, with a lot of rain, with some wind and also with the small climb in the end it was full gas, but the legs are still ok, at the Tour de France I had really good shape and my shape now is really good and I’m happy with my legs.”
Yesterday was a hard day, we are also good in the general classification, now we have a stage win and I’m looking forward to the next two days.”
Matt White (Head Sport Director):
“Today was a great team ride, obviously Amund and Kony did an incredible job of controlling the breakaway all day, got over the last climb and even helped in the final.
All the boys played an important role in positioning, especially Dion in the final and when we gave Dylan a little bit of fresh air he certainly showed who had the fastest legs today. It’s a great win for Dylan and win number 21 for the team for the year.”
2022 Arctic Race of Norway Stage 2- Results:
- Dylan Groenewegen (Team Bikeexchange-Jayco) 3:41:17
- Amaury Capiot ST
- Edvald Boasson Hagen ST
INDIVIDUAL GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
- Axel Zingle (Cofidis) in 8h31’14’’
- Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies) at 05’’
- Amaury Capiot (Team Arkea-Samsic) at 07’
