One week after sprinting to third in a stage of the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen, the young British sprinter Scott Thwaites continued to impress when he finished 2nd in the Ronde van Drenthe. Having made the decisive four-rider group in the hard race, the Brit now hopes to carry his form into the classics.

 

Scott Thwaites rode to yet another podium finish within just a few days. The 24-year old Briton from Team NetApp-Endura conceded defeat only to Kenny Dehaes (Lotto – Belisol) in the Ronde van Drenthe. After finishing third in the “Three Days of West Flanders” just one week ago, Thwaites has proven that he is in excellent form for the Classics.

 

“Scott rode a really strong race. Over the last few weeks he has shown that he is in good form.Today he fought his way into the right group and then rode really cleverly. He attacked at precisely the right moment when crossing the mountain for the final time. He was one of the strongest riders on the final stretch and deserved to make it onto the podium,” André Schulze concluded, who was also celebrating his debut as Sport Director at this race.

 

"Today I knew that it was important to stay at the front and concentrate the whole day. Using my knowledge from the race last year where I punctured out of the winning break, I made sure that I was always in the top 20 for the cobbles and climbs.

 

"After 120km a strong crosswind section followed a long cobble section and the race split as the front group of 15 formed. I was outnumbered by Lotto and Topsport so I watched them closely to see if they would attack. The group worked well but it was too big to take to the finish. So the last time up the climb I attacked at the bottom and the Rabobank rider continued the pace over the climb and the group broke down to 4 riders.

 

"We worked well and had time to slow and watch each other at the finish. I was in good position in second round the last corner but I missed the acceleration of Dehaes and by the time I got back up to him, there was not enough road left to pass. Credit to Dehaes though because he sprinted well from a long way out. I am happy with the result and my form, which I hope to consolidate for the bigger classics in two weeks”, says Scott Thwaites after his podium result.

 

The 205-kilometer race followed a circuit around the Dutch town of Hoogeveen. After a very hectic start, a four-man lead group formed and built up as much as a five-minute lead. 120 kilometers before the finish line, a pursuit group with eleven riders, including Scott Thwaites, was able to pull away from the field and catch up to the leaders. 

 

"On the final climb, Scott Thwaites’ attack managed to shake up the lead group. Along with three other riders, Scott Thwaites was able to pull away and build up nearly a one-minute lead on the final stretch.Despite the threat of being caught up with on the final kilometers, the leaders were able to hold onto their narrow margin all the way to the finish line to decide the race in a sprint.