After Marcel Kittel and John Degenkolb had won the Tour de Picardie in 2013 and 2012 respectively, Ramon Sinkeldam got the task of defending the title for Giant-Shimano. The Dutchman came up short but finished on the podium each day and took second overall in a very consistent performance.

Ramon SInkeldam has finished second on the final stage of the Tour de Picardie today in an uphill sprint finish with the top two being a repeat of the previous day. Tom Dumoulin, overnight leader in the King of the Mountains competition put up a strong fight but eventually lost out over the course of the stage to Philippe Gilbert (BMC).

The 170.5km stage from Cap’Aisne-Chamouille to Bray-sur-Somme saw a much smaller group pull clear than yesterday, with just six riders forming the breakaway for the day after 50km. Team Giant-Shimano were content to protect the overall position of Sinkeldam and see what they could come up with at the finish of the stage in another sprint.

The race came back together under the impetus of both Team Giant-Shimano and the team of GC leader, Arnaud Démare with just over a kilometre to race and from here it was another ramp up to the finish line. Démare one again proved quickest but Sinkeldam pushed him all the way to the line, finishing second and safely defending his second place overall.

Team Giant-Shimano coach Lionel Marie said after the third and final stage: “We wanted to ride for the GC position of Ramon today so from the moment the break went [Sea Keong] Loh helped to set the pace with FDJ. It was another hot day out here so Cheng [Ji] was on bottle duty as well as helping to keep the guys in position. Both guys did a good job before the other guys took over later on to help bring the break back and get prepared for the sprint.

“The finish was uphill like yesterday and Tom, Dries [Devenyns] and Jonas [Ahlstrand] brought Ramon through and up into position. From here he did another good sprint and finished second again.

“It was a good race here for the guys against some fast sprinters. Twice second and once third, as well as second overall and in both KOM and points classifications. It is a shame that we lost Brian through injury but overall the guys will all come out of this in a good way and it has been a good return to racing for Tom and Dries too.”

Sinkeldam added: “I can be really happy with the result today as to be honest I wasn’t sure whether I would be up there at the end given the length of the finishing hill and the guys that were around me. My sprint has come on a step since last year and to be challenging the likes of Démare here is really promising.

“The guys did a good job controlling and supporting me today. Cheng and Loh were strong earlier on before the others joined to help and then to bring me into position at the end. I made a slight mistake before the last corner where I lost them but we found each other again and I got up there for the finish to take second again.

“It is a shame that I didn’t get a stage but finishing in the top three and second overall, I can be pretty happy with that.”