The 3 Days of West Flanders allowed Team Roompot to take its second win in a special competition. The sprints jersey is no major prize but it was just reward for Tim Kerkhof after an aggressive ride.

The reigning U23 national champion was in the break on Saturday. Here he scored points on the Oude Kwaremont. In stage 2, he was also on the attack and so he won the sprints competition.

"At the start, it was actually the goal to take the red sprints jersey," he told Directvelo. "For a new team like us, it is interesting to show ourselves. I tried to escape but without success. Later, I attacked again and it was the good one. Once in the good group, I knew we were going to stay away for many kilometers because the agreement between us was very good. In the end, I had to let go and I finished behind the pack. I'm a little tired but I am, however, pleased with my acclimatization to the pro ranks. I feel that it is not much more difficult than the U23 races." 
 

Team manager Michael Boogerd was only partly satisfied.

"In the time trial on Friday, we had our first chance to ride on the special Isaac Muon. That gave some extra stress. Also because the riders had not yet become acquainted with this material," said Boogerd. "On Saturday I was not satisfied. Good: Tim was in the break, and Wesley Kreder sprinted to a good 10th place, but the overall picture should have been better. We have talked about it Sunday morning and fortunately the guys immediately showed how it could be better in the final stage."

Of course Boogerd is talking about Kerkhof's performance but also about Jesper Asselman (13th) and Johnny Hoogerland (29th). "Jesper's been doing well for a few weeks and he is good in the Flemish races. Johnny was not feeling well last week but here it is better for him. He is well on track for the big races."

There were some concerns after the West Flanders weekend about André Looij. The youngest rider in the Roompot Orange Team crashed and complained of a sore back. Berden de Vries finished behind the peloton in the peloton but that was due to a mechanical. On Saturday and Sunday, the will be riding on home soild at the Ronde van Drenthe and Dwars door Drenthe.