Development Team dsm-firmenich PostNL take Dorpenomloop Rucphen crown with Johan Dorussen

Photo Credit: Holland Cup

Development Team dsm-firmenich PostNL took their first win of 2024 on Sunday afternoon at Dorpenomloop Rucphen thanks to a great team ride and lead out, which was expertly finished off by Johan Dorussen.

A potential echelon filled race turned into a calmer affair at Dorpenomloop Rucphen due to the lack of wind. Nonetheless, Team dsm-firmenich PostNL’s Development program had to remain attentive throughout the day, riding well as a unit to come through any potential difficulties. With the mid-race break caught in the finale, all eyes turned to the expected sprint finish. Coming forward as a group, the team moved up well in the hectic finale with last lead-out Vlad Van Mechelen hitting the front before Dorussen launched from the wheels. Surging with a strong sprint and giving everything to the line, Dorussen was able to sit up and celebrate a superb first win with the team, capping off a great team effort by the whole squad.

A thrilled Dorussen said: “It was a chaotic race and really nervous, despite the little wind. We needed to be sharp all the time to stay at the front in case of any crashes or splits. In the end we did some perfect teamwork to set up a good sprint train. With that good lead out I was able to finish it off with a strong sprint, so it is a really nice team victory for everyone.”

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL coach Bennie Lambregts added: “The race was controlled today and without any wind there was less likely to be splits but we still had to be sharp. Before the start we had discussed that Johan would be our sprint finisher, but he has rode Nokere and Bredene this week with our Men’s program so we were unsure how he would recover from that ahead of today with those tough races in his legs. Together as a group we openly talked about it and if he wasn’t sure in the race then we would set up Vlad for the finish. It was a real team effort today and to have Johan in first and Vlad in fifth really shows that. All of the guys were active in the beginning and covering the attacks that went. We had a small crash at one point with Robbe but he came back in a good way. Then in the chaotic final they looked for each other and were able to bring Johan and Vlad into a good position for the finish. Of course everything is about development and continuing to build with this young group, but a big compliment has to go to the guys today and we’re really happy and proud to take this first win of the season with our Development program.”