LottoNL-Jumbo’s Tom Van Asbroeck really enjoyed himself during the final stage of the Volta ao Algarve on Sunday, taking an opportunity and sprinting to second behind André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) in Vilamoura.
 
“Today was incredible,” said LottoNL-Jumbo’s new Belgian. “My team-mates kept me out of the wind all day. They did everything to help. Unfortunately, Greipel was too strong, but everything else was perfect.
 
“I’ve never experienced that before. It made me emotional. I thanked everyone personally.”
 
“Sep Vanmarcke, Paul Martens and Robert Wagner helped me get in the wheel of Greipel,” Van Asbroeck said. “I started to get a little bit nervous around that moment, because the team had worked so hard for me and now I had to finish it off. I was able to get next to Greipel, but that was it. He found his second gear and won.”
 

Sports Director Nico Verhoeven really believed in Van Asbroeck’s abilities today. “Our strategy was clear: we put everything on Tom. We knew that he could be a serious contender today. He lost to Greipel, but there is no disgrace in that. Greipel is among the three best sprinters in the world.
 
“I’m pleased that everyone was able to contribute today. We can look back on this stage with a smile.
 
“We were on the right track with Robert Gesink and the classic riders really improved this week, which was one of our main goals.”