Bad luck for Team dsm-firmenich PostNL in crash-affected sprint finale

A potentially explosive stage 11 with the majority of the climbing coming in the opening third of the day, ultimately became a more quiet and controlled sprint stage with a three rider break escaping from the flag drop. Team dsm-firmenich PostNL kept their powder dry in the peloton, looking after each other well as the kilometres ticked down. The break were caught at 30 kilometres to go and the tension and pace increased in the bunch as the riders battled for position, with Kevin Vermaerke involved in a small crash. Vermaerke returned to the group okay as the fight for the front rows intensified coming into the finale.

After being brought up by the team, Tobias Lund Andresen and sprint finisher Fabio Jakobsen were waiting to time their moment to open up the sprint effort and charge to the front inside the last kilometre, but unfortunately they were involved in a crash in sight of the line. Thankfully, both Jakobsen and Lund Andresen were able to remount their bikes and complete the stage.

Speaking after the stage Jakobsen said: “The feeling was better today than earlier in the race and I had thought that we could really be there and involved in the final; which we were. I think we were in an okay position and in the mix to sprint for a result. Unfortunately someone crashed in the finale and Tobias and I were caught up in it. We went down pretty hard and I’m a bit sore after it with quite a few scrapes. We’ll see how things go overnight.”

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL coach Matt Winston said: “It was a fairly steady day. We had prepared for both scenarios if it was going to be hard or easy at the start, but it ended up being pretty easy so we came through that period fine. We prepared well for the sprint, the guys were really good together and looked after each other in a good way. Kevin had a small crash in the last 20 kilometres but came back to the peloton. Then in the final sprint Tobias and Fabio were together at around 600 metres to go, looking for that moment to carry their momentum forward to move up to sprint and were caught up in the crash. It’s of course disappointing but these things happen in bike racing sometimes. We still have another sprint opportunity and we’ll do some checks on the guys now and make sure they’re okay.”

Medical Update:

Lund Andresen, Vermaerke, Jakobsen all suffered some cuts and skin abrasions after their crashes. Jakobsen also went for a precautionary post-stage x-ray but thankfully that didn’t reveal any fractures. The team’s medical staff will continue to assess the guys ahead of tomorrow’s stage.