Casper van Uden sprints to 2nd in Newark-on-Trent

Continuing to build on the previous days, Team dsm-firmenich rode well as a group in the sprint finale, setting up finisher Casper van Uden who got up to take a strong second place on stage four.

Leaving Sherwood Forest earlier on Wednesday, it was an attacking start to the day but after around ten kilometres of action a three rider group went clear and things settled down. Remaining in the bunch, Team dsm-firmenich’s focus remained on the expected sprint finale. The peloton were always in control and reeled in the breakaway with over 20 kilometres to go. Biding their time, the team moved forward well in the closing five kilometres, bringing Van Uden into position. Coming out of the last corner, Van Uden moved up into the wheel of Kooij. Launching his sprint early to try and catch the race leader out, Van Uden wanted to go to the left but had to check his sprint ever so slightly, and at that point Kooij started his effort. In the drag race to the line the two were well matched but the gap stayed steady, with Van Uden taking a fine second place in Newark-on-Trent.

Van Uden said: “We’re progressing together everyday with our teamwork and today was really good. We used our heads and rode smart in the final. In the chaos we stayed together well and the boys did a really good job of dropping me off in position, and from there it was just full gas to the line.”

Team dsm-firmenich coach Matt Winston added: “First few sprints here didn’t go the way we wanted in terms of results but on the second and third stages we started to make steps there in this young team; with how we race together, how we use each other and our qualities. The guys have been making steps all the time with that. Today I think they did a really good job and they also raced smartly, and got a good result off the back of it. I think that will also help the confidence of all the guys.”