It was a dream start to the season for Dutch sprint star Dylan Groenewegen, as the 28-year-old finished off a perfect lead-out, to take his debut victory for Team BikeExchange-Jayco on today’s third stage of the Saudi Tour in AlUla; the region of one of the team’s major partners.
With work to do after a difficult sprint on stage one, the squad delivered a sprint train masterclass on today’s stage, as they guided Groenewegen through the finale and into the perfect position in the closing metres, leaving the Team BikeExchange-Jayco leader to throw his hands in the air for the first time this season.
The opening kilometres of the day saw chaos in the crosswinds that left just 27 riders at the head of the race. Groenewegen and teammate Luka Mezgec were amongst those to make the front split before things eventually came back together again and despite several further attempts to split the field, the reduced peloton raced into AlUla Old Town for the anticipated sprint finish.
In the final, Team BikeExchange-Jayco took command of the front of the bunch and as Alex Edmondson swung off inside the final kilometres, with Groenewegen sat in prime position on the wheel of lead-out man Mezgec. The Amsterdam fast man then launched his sprint, holding off his rivals to take a memorable first win of 2022, his maiden victory in Team BikeExchange-Jayco colours.
Dylan Groenewegen – 1st place
“It’s really amazing to win in my first race. We tried something on the first day but it didn’t work well but everybody is really strong so today we made a new plan for today. The finish was really hard but in the end, everyone was there in the small group, we did a really good lead-out and I only sprinted for 100m so thanks to the team and it is incredible that I can give them the win for their help today.
It was a really crazy stage but the guys put me in a really good position in the front and also Luka Mezgec was there, but then with the headwind everything came back but that was good for us to have everyone there in the final.
We made a really good plan and the tactic was amazing and everybody did a really good job. It’s only the second sprint for me this year, but it feels like we are already working together for two years.
For moral it is really nice if you can win in the first race. We were a little bit angry after the first day but we also learnt a lot so it was also a good day. Today it is really amazing and good for moral to take the victory in the first race, it is good for the team and for me.”
Tristan Hoffman – Sport Director
“Towards the final it was a little bit cat and mouse, to ride, not to ride, but in the end we started riding with Jan [Maas] and also some other teams put some riders there. I’d say from the last seven kilometres we had some good talks, ‘meetings’, with the boys, how to do things, what went good and what went wrong on the first stage.
We had a plan of who should go where, and they executed the plan and Dylan finished it off, for us it’s fantastic to do this.”
2022 Saudi Tour Stage 3 – Results:
- Dylan Groenewegen (Team BikeExchange-Jayco) 5:11:22
- Daniel McLay ST
- Caleb Ewan ST
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
- Santiago Buitrago Sanchez (Bahrain Victorious) 13h36’55’’
- Caleb Ewan (Lotto – Soudal) +03’’
- Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) +13’’
