Team dsm-firmenich PostNL’s Development program were in action on Sunday at the Ronde van Limburg; the second race in the U23 Road Series. Taking place in the region of the team’s Aqua-Step Keep Challenging Center, it would be “home” roads for many of the Development program, but with a lot of fresh faces on the start list, it was set to be a challenging day out. Riding well as a group the team were always present in any dangerous moves with Jacob Bush making it into an early break that was brought to heel. The attacks kept flying with the team rotating through well, with Oliver Peace particularly active, and eventually he and Bush made it into the main break. From there, a group was able to distance themselves but the Development program duo were undeterred and fought to the finish, with Bush taking an impressive eighth and Peace not far behind in 12th.
Bush said: “It was a properly solid day of sport to start the season. As a unit the boys rode really well, and when we needed to be at the front, we were. I got a move on the go over the Cauberg with two others and we drove it for 25 kilometres. When it came back together I stuck with the front group and progressively it got smaller. When the winning move went I didn’t have the legs to go with it but me and Oliver continued to work with what was left of the break. On the last climb I went with what I had left and ended with a nice top ten result. It’s a productive start to the season and my first race with the team, and I’m looking forward to the next one.”