Tullins, Tuesday june 6th 2017 – Koen Bouwman opens his record book at the age of 23 as he claimed his first pro victory in stage 3 of the 69th Critérium du Dauphiné in Tullins. He outsprinted his five breakaway companions who stayed away from the peloton for 182 out of 184 kilometres in total. They fended off the chasing bunch of the sprinters and Thomas De Gendt retained the yellow-blue jersey ahead of the individual time trial.
QUOTE FROM STAGE WINNER
“I know that my girlfriend, my parents and my friends were watching. I can’t believe that I got my first pro win at the Dauphiné. It’s a really big race. I came here with the goal of going into the breakaway like yesterday, but it was a really strong breakaway. The six of us were pulling very hard. In the last 20km, we believe we could make it. My team mate [Alexey Vermeulen] pushed hard in the front. We’re a team of very young guys here. Everyone gets his own chance. Everyone wants to break away. Two of us did today and at the end it was perfect for winning.”
STAGE RESULT
1. Koen Bouwman (Lotto NL Jumbo) 184 km in 4h06’06’’
2. Evaldas Siskevicius (Team Delko Marseille Provence) s.t
3. Frederik Backaert (Wanty Groupe Gobert) s.t
OVERALL INDIVIDUAL TIME CLASSIFICATION
1. Thomas de Gendt (Lotto Soudal)
2. Axel Domont (AG2R La Mondiale) at 48’’
3. Diego Ulissi (UAE) at 1’03’’
