Jesper Asselman keeps on dreaming. The 25-year-old Dutchman, riding for Roompot Oranje Peloton, stays in the lead of the Eneco Tour after three stages and is the last rider to depart in Thursday's time trial in Hoogerheide.

Asselman's rookie nerves were mostly gone, but his smile was as bright as ever.

"Fantastic, the dream goes on", the man from Delft beamed. "When we arrived in the hotel yesterday, we had a glass of bubbles and a little party. My phone exploded with messages. I had to switch it off, otherwise I wouldn't have slept a second. Just to be safe I already pinned on my race number last night, usually I only do that the morning of the race."

The stage between Beveren and Ardooie was one of pure joy for the neo-pro.

"The entire team worked for me and I received a lot of compliments in the peloton. It looks like everyone is happy for me. After the finish Tom Boonen came over to congratulate me, that's just amazing."

On Thursday Asselman is the last rider to depart in the time trial, on 16:29 in Hoogerheide. It will be another highlight for Asselman, but he's realistic about his prospects.

"I'm just going to go full throttle and see where we end up."