At the Skoda Tour de Luxembourg, Marc de Maar and Huub Duijn have underlined the good form they have shown in recent weeks. With a 2nd and 3rd place in the final standings the two experienced Roompot Orange Peloton riders riders tried to make things as difficult as possible for eventual winner Linus Gerdemann in the final stage. "We have done everything as a team," said De Maar in the capital of the country. "But Gerdemann's Cult Energy team were also very strong."

The two podium finishers in the selection of team leaders Michael Boogerd and Erik Breukink laid the foundation for their good resilt in the queen stage on Friday. After Johnny Hoogerland was part of the break of the day, a counterattack in the finale brought Marc de Maar into the lead with Linus Gerdemann. The former wearer of the yellow jersey in the Tour de France was just a little too strong for the former national champion of Amstel Curacao in the two-rider sprint. "It was an epic ride, with plenty of climbing and high temperatures. That was so so good for me, "said De Maar after his 2nd place. In a true battlefield, Huub Duijn (4th) was also with the best.

The five-day race in Luxembourg started with a short prologue with a steep climb. Frenchman Adrien Petit won the stage. Huub Duijn started with motivation and did well with a 19th place.

After Mike Terpstra was in the break for more than 207 kilometers in the first stage (won by André Greipel with a 12th place for Sjoerd van Ginneken), the Dutchman showed himself a a true team player in Saturday's stage. He gave his wheel to Duijn who had flatted at a crucial point, and so made sure that the GC position of his teammate was not in danger.

In the final stage won by Belgian Sean de Bie the Orange riders regularly tried to make it difficult for Gerdemann in the local laps around Pabeierbierg. "We continued to fight as a team, but Linus and his teammates did not crack. So we were close to the win but it was a nice experience to ride for the victory at this level," De Maar said.