Photo Credit: Tour de Normandie 

After taking a brilliant win on stage two of the Tour de Normandie, Casper van Uden did it all over again to take another powerful sprint victory for Development Team DSM. With attacks happening left and right the stage proved to be a hard one. Taking confidence from having their first win already under their belt, the team set the pace from the start, aiming for a sprint finish with fast man Van Uden. The somewhat rolling 160 kilometre long route from Gacé to Argentan was a perfect set-up for a full-gas finale.

It was a fast start to the race before a breakaway of four eventually went clear, building up a solid advantage. A sprint finish was inevitable though and the team did a massive job controlling the peloton throughout the day. With the race entering the local lap, all eyes were set on bringing Van Uden to the finish in the best way possible. Nipping all breakaway attempts in the bud and keeping Van Uden to the front until the final lap of ten kilometres.

With other teams trying to set up their sprinters Van Uden and last lead-out, Pavel Bittner, surfed the wheels for a while, waiting to move up into position for the final few hundred metres. After setting up his finisher Bittner peeled off, as Van Uden charged to the front on the drag to the line. Launching his powerful sprint and giving his all to the finish, Van Uden managed to hold off his competitors, raising his arms aloft to claim Development Team DSM’s second win of the week.

Casper van Uden smiled: “The boys did a mega job again today controlling the peloton and setting the pace. We went all-in for the sprint and the guys kept Pavel and me out of trouble and in a good position. Pavel and I surfed the wheels for the last two and a half kilometres and he did a perfect job to set me up for the sprint. I am super happy to finish it off for the team again!“

Team DSM coach Bennie Lambregts added: “I can only say that this is a fitting follow-up on our first days here. There was great teamwork in controlling the race throughout the day, even through the hilly part of the parcours. Our goal was to have six riders coming into the local circuit, to prepare the sprint. Enzo did a very good job in setting the pace all day long and Pavel did a brilliant job bringing Casper into position, all in all, it was some great work by the whole team. The only unfortunate thing about today is that Tobias got taken out in the final, but luckily he is okay to continue tomorrow.”