Tom Van Asbroek concluded the season with a podium finish. The Belgian Team LottoNL-Jumbo cyclist sprinted to second in the Nationale Sluitingprijs Putte-Kapellen on Tuesday, just like last year. He finished right behind Cofidis’ Nacer Bouhanni, who was declared winner after the jury took a look at the photo finish.
 
Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s Mike Teunissen was part of the break of the day. The first-year pro formed part of a six-man group. Maarten Tjallingii managed to bridge to the group in the final part of the race, but could not prevent the peloton from reeling in the attack with two kilometres two go.
 
“Maybe it looked like a close call, but I immediately felt that I was second,” Van Asbroeck said. Exactly one week ago, he already finished third in Binche-Chimay-Binche/Mémorial Frank Vandenbroucke.

"Second again. There was nothing to be done. There was once that was again faster than me. 
 
“Again I was not far away, but I got a bit hampered in the sprint. That might have cost me the victory. All in all, it was a bit of an unlucky season for me. I crashed a lot and wasn’t always fully fit, but in recent weeks, after the Vuelta, things went better and better. Next year, if I manage to stay upright and we continue to work hard with the sprint train, I’m confident that that first victory will come.

" It's a shame, but a sprint is always tight. I didn't make any mistakes. I may have launched my effort a little too late, but I was a little hampered by Bouhanni. If he had not boxed me in, I would maybe have made that little difference. I have long suffered from injuries, crashes. I'm glad I did this race. I would rather have anoter month of racing. It's a long time before we can start the next season. "

"This year was still not that bad despite the number of near-misses. Last season, I was second no less than twelve times. Actually, the season should last longer because I am only now back on track. But the break is now. It's time to enjoy being at home and rest. "

The eight riders of the team were aggressive and motivated for the final race of the season from what Sports Director Nico Verhoeven saw.

“We wanted to start aggressively and get in the early break. You know that at this stage of the season a good group can sometimes easily make it until the line. Mike and Maarten managed to get in the break, but a few riders kept the pace low and so you felt the race was heading towards a bunch sprint. In the kick, the team did everything they could for Tom. We missed out on the win, but we concluded the season positively.”