Team DSM made a step to the podium of the 36th edition of Veenendaal – Veenendaal Classic as Sam Welsford sprinted to 3rd place after a tricky day out with multiple crashes.
With some changes for the 2023 edition, Veenendaal-Veenendaal Classic consisted of five times around a 35 kilometre loop, twenty kilometres less than the previous edition. As an early breakaway forged clear, Team DSM remained in the peloton, gearing up for what they hoped would be a bunch kick to the line. Allowing the breakaway some freedom for the majority of the day, the peloton were careful to not give too much room, with all eyes on the fast men for the finish. A few crashes caught some of the team out, but thankfully they were able to continue towards the finish. Despite counter attacks, the bunch made the catch with four kilometres to go, in time for Team DSM to bring sprinter Sam Welsford into prime position to battle it out and cross the line in third place, rounding out the podium after a good day racing on the team’s home soil.
After the finish, Welsford said: “Today was a tricky day; a lot of small narrow roads which made it a super hectic day. The break was really close, so a lot of attacks were happening. Unfortunately, we lost a couple of guys as they were held up in some crashes and in the final we were left with only four guys so we knew we had to gamble a bit. Eventually, I am happy to finish 3rd and am sure that with a bit more luck next time, we can win such races. We will keep fighting and now on to the next one.”
