Dennis van Winden finished fourth in the first stage of the Tour de Pologne. He was clever enough to come out in front on the tortuous streets of Warsaw. Marcel Kittel (Team Giant-Alpecin) won the stage, becoming the first overall leader.

“It was an easy race,” sports director, Mathieu Heijboer said. “It immediately became clear that the teams with sprinters were going to control the stage. We made an arrangement with Dennis van Winden and Tom Van Asbroeck about staying in front for the bunch sprint. Because the race was short, it was hard to stay in front with the whole team. That’s why it was important for Tom and Dennis to be as much in front as possible with two kilometres to go. Dennis chose the right side of the road and was the first one to do that turn. That was strong.”

“We were actually working for Tom, today,” Van Winden explained. “But we lost each other. We arranged to stay at the same side of the road, but we weren’t able to get together anymore afterwards. I’m glad with my result in the end. I just returned from training at altitude. You’re never sure about your form afterwards. It’s nice that I was able to deliver immediately.”

The second stage of the Tour de Pologne looks like it’s going to end up in a bunch sprint as well.

“Kittel is strong and is the overall leader," Heijboer added. “Giant-Alpecin will probably force a bunch sprint. We have to be there with Tom and Dennis. They have to help each other."