Final: BinckBank Tour

Jasper Stuyven wins the final stage of the BinckBank Tour whilst Tom Dumoulin adds another stage race to his name

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Final: BinckBank Tour

Stuyven wins final stage, claims 3rd overall in Binckbank Tour

Trek Segafredo Press Release

Jasper Stuyven made a gutsy attack with three kilometers remaining in stage seven at the BinckBank Tour Sunday and successfully held off the chase to grab a magnificent win and move into third place in the overall classification.

It was a cunning move and came at a perfect moment at the top of the penultimate uphill, and after numerous attacks in the last lap had been chased back. One moment of hesitation amongst the competition was all Stuyven needed; he quickly opened a gap as everyone looked to the others to chase. I didn’t plan the attack, I went with the moment,” said Stuyven. “I was near the front on the last climb and saw some gaps were opening and so I decided to just go for it. I actually didn’t feel that good today, but I knew that everyone was probably feeling the same after such a hard week of racing, so I just decided to try.”

Stuyven gained 10 seconds on a chasing group that numbered around 30, but the uphill to the finish still loomed. It was going to take a grisly effort to hold off the likes of Greg Van Avermaet, Peter Sagan, and Philippe Gilbert amongst others. Stuyven still had a handful of seconds’ lead with 200 meters to go, and he threw everything he had into the pedals as the cobbled road pitched ruthlessly steeper.

“I didn’t know how much time I had, I just told myself to just go all-in and not think of anything else,” continued Stuyven. “I still felt I had something left for the uphill, and I looked back with 150meters to go – I probably looked back a little too much – but then I knew that I was going to hold it. The final 200meters were really hard; I was completely empty after the finish.”

One final glance behind with 25 meters to go and Stuyven knew the victory was his.  A solo attack in the final kilometers of a race is one of the most courageous and hardest ways to win. It takes a solid mental and physical aptitude; a rider needs confidence but also the legs to match. Stuyven proved this week he had both, and a strong, cohesive team backing him. … continued after advert

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Jasper Stuyven: “The whole team worked well again, all week, and today Mads (Pedersen) was a machine. We came here with ambitions for the GC for me and Edward (Theuns) with the sprint. In the first stages I helped Edward out, which resulted in a victory for him, and then the team protected me very well in the last three days. I was always there, and I could move up in the GC, but I also could take a stage win,” said Stuyven, then added: “It was a great week with great teamwork.”

Tom Dumoulin: “It’s great to finally win here after a few years of being close. This was our goal and we all had to come together to make it happen, which we did. The team was super strong every day and today it was up to us but we had it all under control, and I had good legs today.”

Philippe Gilbert: “I am of course disappointed, because I had good legs and was confident there was a chance of taking the victory. In the end, I came really close, and that was frustrating. Overall, it wasn’t an easy week, but the good part is that I felt better and improved with every day that passed, so now, at the end of the week, I can take a lot of positives and confidence from this race to my next appointments of the season”, said Philippe, who is eighth in the World Tour individual rankings.

Peter Sagan: “Unlike yesterday, we had better weather today, so that was nice. The finale of the stage was again hard and the rest of the riders weren’t collaborating, just looking at me. There is nothing I can do about it – this is the way it is. However, I finished the BinckBank Tour without any crashes and looking back to this week, I’m satisfied with I achieved. Two intense weeks of racing came to an end, first in Poland and then here, and I look forward to Québec and Montreal.”

Tim Wellens: “I felt really good a whole week long, but today was probably my least good day. There was an opportunity to take bonus seconds in the golden kilometer as we were in a group of riders without Tom Dumoulin. Unfortunately we got caught and I lost an extra second in the third sprint. On the line I had already spent a lot of energy as I had to close a gap in the last lap. I felt at that point that it was going to be really difficult to drop Tom Dumoulin today. At the end of the day, I’m satisfied with the result, Dumoulin deserves this victory and I’m happy that I could perform at this level.”

“A second place is always a bit of a disappointment, but I think I would have been happy with this place if someone had told me that before this race. Yesterday’s stage victory is something I find very important, because I was able to win ahead of really strong classics riders. I think second overall is the highest place we could reach after this week, and I have to thank my teammates for their work and support. It was a great team performance throughout the race.”

Greg Van Avermaet: “I was pretty good today I think. My legs were where I hoped they would be but I maybe made a mistake with my tactics and trying to go on the last climb. There was no cooperation, and you know that there can be a counter attack and that came from Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segaredo). I couldn’t follow anymore, and I maybe lost a little bit of energy for my sprint. In the end, I think I made a mistake in going for the win there, but that’s how it is.”

“It is always hard, and I would have liked to have been third but I think I have to be happy with fourth, but at the moment I am disappointed as I lost a few seconds that were not necessary. I had to focus on one guy, but I wanted to win the stage and finish third, and in the end, I lost the stage and moved down to fourth. Sometimes cycling can be hard, and it is also hard to get over this right after the finish. Tomorrow, it will be fine and fourth place on the GC is not so bad.”

“Overall my shape was really good, and I am happy with what I have done over the last three days. I was always top ten and always in front. I think Quebec and Montreal are my most important races for scoring some points in the UCI WorldTour and the World Championships is the last goal for the season.”

Stefan Küng: “I had a good start to this race with the TT win and wearing the leader’s jersey, but I also felt a little bit of fatigue from the Tour de France and the last few months have been pretty intense. I also had a bit of bad luck in Sittard-Geleen, so that stopped me from finishing high on the GC. Today, I got some good feelings back, and we tried to set Greg Van Avermaet up for the stage win and to defend his third place overall. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but I think it has been a good week and for me, it was great to see that I am really up there amongst the best time trialists in the world.”

“I think now I have some time to rest and recharge the batteries because there are still a few big goals to come especially with the UCI World Championships coming up and I will take a lot of confidence away with me from this race.”

Stage 7
1. Jasper Stuyven Trek – Segafredo
2. Philippe Gilbert Quick-Step Floors
3. Tom Dumoulin Team Sunweb
4. Peter Sagan BORA – hansgrohe
5. Tiesj Benoot Lotto Soudal
6. Oliver Naesen AG2R La Mondiale
7. Greg Van Avermaet BMC Racing Team
8. LadagnousMatthieuFDJ
9. Dion Smith Wanty – Groupe Gobert
10. Dylan van Baarle Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling Team

Overall
1. Tom Dumoulin Team Sunweb
2. Tim Wellens Lotto Soudal
3. Jasper Stuyven Trek – Segafredo
4. Greg Van Avermaet BMC Racing Team
5. Oliver Naesen AG2R La Mondiale
6. Michael Valgren Astana Pro Team
7. Peter Sagan BORA – hansgrohe
8. Lars Boom Team LottoNL-Jumbo
9. Philippe Gilbert Quick-Step Floors
10. Petr Vakoc Quick-Step Floors

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