Casper van Uden sprinted to second place at Paris Tour U23, winning the bunch kick convincingly behind the solo race winner.

The day got underway with a break of seven riders who built an advantage of up to three minutes. The 177 kilometre parcours features a number of gravel roads to contend with in the second half and it was here and in the hills that the race really kicked off.

The team focused on protecting van Uden and covering the moves but one rider, Jonas Iversby Hvideberg, proved too strong soloing to victory with van Uden taking the sprint for second place behind.

“The boys did a good job today trying to jump with all the attacks and keeping me in the front,” explained van Uden. “In the end I had to gamble on the sprint and was able to win the sprint from the group so I’m happy with the result.”

Team DSM coach Roy Curvers added: “It was a classic Paris Tours race today with the first 127 kilometres with a break of seven three minutes ahead of the bunch with our guys. Then the mayhem started in the gravel and hill zone where the guys rode well together and covered the all important groups, and kept Casper fresh for the sprint.

“Jonas Iversby Hvideberg attacked with about 20 to go and was apparently the strongest because despite multiple teams chasing he stayed clear. In the group behind Casper won the sprint by a big margin, which always leaves a little mixed emotions of “what if” when the sprint isn’t for the win. But you have to conclude that the winner was the strongest and knowing he will be riding in our colours next year makes us also look forward to next year.”