A patellar injury at his left knee will keep our rider out of action until the end of the month. Ster ZLM Toer should have been Niki Terpstra's last race before heading to the National Championships, which are scheduled next week, in Middelharnis (individual time trial) and Brouwersdam (road race).

Unfortunately, 32-year-old Terpstra, who is the road race defending champion, will be forced to skip these events due to an injury incurred earlier this week, after hitting his knee on the bus handrail on his way to the warm-up area ahead of the Goes prologue.

Two days later, on Friday afternoon, Terpstra abandoned early on stage 2, which concluded with a bunch sprint, won by Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo). Examinations showed he suffered a patellar injury on his left knee, because of which he now must stay off the bike for two weeks.

"I can't find the words to express how disappointed I am. It's a stupid accident, but this kind of things happen, so that's life. I'm sad and frustrated, because the legs were there and I was prepared to defend my jersey. Truth being told, this year's course at the Nationals is suited to the sprinters, but in a one-day race you can never know what will happen, so I was ready to play my card. Instead of being part of the race, I'll now watch it on the TV, but once I will return to racing, I'll try to make up for this and be again at my best", said Niki Terpstra.