A challenging day in the Limburg hills saw Development Team dsm-firmenich PostNL line-up for the day alongside Frank van den Broek from the Men’s program. Approaching the day with the goal of riding strongly as a unit and being in position for the crucial moments; the racing action was on from very early with lots of attacks from the gun. Working well as a team, Van den Broek was able to make it into the promising and strong nine rider break, ensuring the team could approach the rest of the race on the front foot. Riding well ahead, Van den Broek was able to follow the moves and when a counter attack joined from the peloton, he found himself in a new leading group of ten, even attacking himself several times. There were teams with numbers in the front though and they utilised their numerical advantage well with a duo escaping to fight it out for the win in the finale. After giving it his all on the attack, Van den Broek crossed the line for a very commendable ninth place.
Speaking after the race Van den Broek expressed: “Initially, I did not want to go for the breakaway but when we saw all teams were represented I joined. About 80 kilometres to go a small group joined us and from then the race was really on. It was hard to race against the teams with more guys represented, but I’m happy with my shape after crashing in Catalunya and to be able to finish in the top ten. Now it’s full focus on recharging the batteries for Flanders tomorrow!”