In-form Magnus Cort has put in another strong performance at the Eneco Tour, taking third place on stage five, as heavy rain affected the latter part of the race, which was won by Johan Le Bon (FDJ).

The 180km lumpy course, which was like a mini Amstel Gold Race, produced an exciting day of racing, and after heavy rain started to fall with about 25km to go, the peloton split apart as they tried to catch a 2-man breakaway.

Both Cort and Jens Keukeleire were in the chase group of 35 riders, before Cort joined four other riders with 9km to go, as they started to chase down the breakaway.  Despite their best efforts, they couldn’t quite catch the leaders, but Cort showed his strength as he outsprinted the rest of the group to take third place.

“You have to be really pleased when your rider does their thing” said sport director Laurenzo Lapage. “Despite tricky conditions, the race went like we had hoped and we were very happy with Magnus’ third place.

“The rain definitely affected things, and it meant that for the breaks the riders had to wait for their chance to go. For us, we didn’t have the numbers, with just two of our guys in the group.

"Tomorrow will be a harder race again, particularly towards the end. Jens (Keukeleire) did a good job today, and looking ahead to tomorrow and Sunday, the courses should suit him more.

“Unfortunately Sam Bewley had to pull out today as he was not feeling well. He has flu-like symptoms, and ahead of the Worlds didn’t want to take any risks.”

In the GC standings, today’s third place puts Magnus Cort one minute away from leader Wilco Kelderman (TLJ) and Jens Keukeleire, who is looking for a GC result, is 1.22 adrift.    

Tomorrow’s stage is a tribute to Liege – Bastogne – Liege. Starting in Heerlen, the long 209km course features some tough climbs known from the classic race, but unlike last year, it dosen’t include an uphill finish and the climbs are not as tough as in previous years. The stage finishes in the Dutch town of Houffalize.