Battling triple top 10 for Team DSM at Profronde van Drenthe

After some severe weather in the area in recent days, there was a slight change of route for the Profronde van Drenthe, with the peloton taking on the VAM-berg twice towards the middle of the race before a flat final 40 kilometres or so. It was a steady start to the afternoon with Tim Naberman and Leon Heinschke riding well to help control the early break of three, helping to position the rest of the team heading into the VAM-berg circuit. As expected there were attacks in the bunch over the top of the climb where Niklas Märkl and Sean Flynn did well to shut anything down.

With the bunch all together over the last ascent the race made its way towards the finish town of Hoogeveen, with the original breakaway trio still out front. Entering a twisting and narrow section of road with 25 kilometres to go the bunch split with Tobias Lund Andresen, Casper van Uden, Sam Welsford and Flynn all making it into the front group of around 20 riders. The pace stayed high and the original break were caught but heading towards the last ten kilometres things became tactical with lots of probing attacks, before a four man group went clear which featured Andresen. With fast finisher Welsford behind, Andresen tried to do as little possible in the front group while also maintaining some cooperation.

Entering the final three kilometres the gap to the now swelling peloton was around 25 seconds and with the impetus leaving that chasing group, the chance for Andresen’s group increased. Unfortunately, eventual race winner Hagenes caught the other trio off guard with a well timed attack and held onto his advantage despite a spirited effort in the chase by Andresen, who would go on to win the sprint for second place. Welsford led the peloton home in fifth, while Van Uden held on for ninth after a good leadout by the team.

Lund Andresen said: “We were in the front the whole day, taking control of the race. Cambers was the key point and we entered all the way in the front to control the pace. Then on the lap until entering the VAM-berg, we covered the moves and entered in the front again. From there it was echelons and attacks the whole way, where we were always represented. I made it into the final break, trying to do as little as possible as we could play the card of Sam behind but in the deep finale I made a huge mistake when Hagenes attacked. To not go on to take the win with the boys cleaning up from the back is disappointing. It’s another day where we were hungry for a victory and the motivation and was super high from everyone. We’re motivated to get back on that top step next time.”

Team DSM coach Roy Curvers continued: “I think we had control over the bunch all day pretty much. First we controlled an early break then we were present in the first part of the bunch after the climbs. When it split into echelons we were also present with several guys. It turned into an attacking game which ended up with Tobias alongside three other guys at the front. It was a good situation for us as we didn’t have to ride full in the front or in the back with Sam behind. In the final, Hagenes got some space with a well timed attack and the other two guys looked Tobias a bit to close it as he was the fastest in the group. It’s a bit of a pity to have to be satisfied with second, but if we race like this again and play it well in the final then we can definitely win races in this way too. Sam also sprinting to fifth from the bunch after a good leadout by the guys is also something that should give us confidence for the races to come.”