The strong showing of Steven Kruijswijk in the Giro d'Italia has been enough to earn the LottoNL-Jumbo rider a Tour de France spot. The Dutchman is not surprise by his 7th place in Italy.

"I knew I had good preparation but ther's always  the question of whether you get the confirmation in the race. Luckily I got that and eventually I was better than I expected," he told NOS.

What his role will be in the Tour is still not clear. LottoNL-Jumbo will primarily focus on the leaders Robert Gesink and Wilco Kelderman. 

"Before the Giro d'Italia it was the plan for Steven to do the Tour de France after the Giro d'Italia. His good Giro has only confirmed that," team manager Nico Verhoeven told De Telegraaf.
 

Kruijswijk thinks he will get a lot of space to occasionally go for his own success. He won't have a focus on the GC. 

"I know it's hard to be at the top of your game for another three weeks. I think I will have a free role rather than go for the GC."