Lars Boom takes overall lead with victory in Queen Stage Ster ZLM
 

As he did last year, Lars Boom has taken the win in the Queen Stage of the Ster ZLM Toer. In 2012, the Blanco Pro Cycling Team rider narrowly missed capturing the yellow jersey on La Gileppe, the traditional spot for the finish line. This year, the Dutchman has claimed the leader’s jersey with one flat stage to go. It’s the 17th victory for the Blanco Pro Cycling Team this season.

“This is really a great day”, said Boom after the race. “I started the stage with the good vibe from last year and that was already very nice. In the finale on La Gileppe, I could accelerate well and I was quite satisfied with that. I’ve trained very hard these last weeks and that’s now paying off.”

Team spirit

The win didn’t come by itself, Boom admitted.  “My teammates worked really hard today to reel in the lead-out”, said the classification leader who mentioned his crew by name to extend a word of thanks. Last year’s win on La Gileppe was also cause for celebration but the thought of what might have been casted a shadow over an otherwise joyous occasion.  Today the euphoria was undimmed as Boom will be clad in yellow for Sunday’s final stage: a beautiful jersey which Boom is not planning to surrender. “I’m going to hold on to it!”

The chances are good that we’ll see Boom riding at the head of the peloton in search of a fourth stage win for the team. Following his own win and a prologue title for Robert Wagner, the Dutchman would love to shepherd his teammate and compatriot Theo Bos to his second stage win. “It’s going to be a windy day with lots of twists and turns on narrow roads. If I can help Theo, I’m certainly not going to let the chance pass me by.”