Coen Vermeltfoort may no longer be riding for a professional team but he can still mix it up with the pros. Yesterday he was one of the strongest in Omloop Het Houtland Lichtervelde and ended the race on the podium in third.

A few years ago Coen Vermeltfoort was a professional at the WorldTour level with Rabobank but after two years with the team, his contract wasn't extended. Instead, he dropped down to continental level, joining Cycling Team De Rijke.

Yesterday he proved that he can still be among the best in the 1.1 races when he finished third in Omloop Het Houtland Lichtervelde. The Dutchman was part of a small 6-rider group that decided the win but was unable to respond when eventual winner Jelle Wallays and Daniel Schorn attacked in the finale.

"It's a great result for Cycling Team De Rijke to finish third in a 1.1 race," he told Directvelo. "In the end, we were six and we looked at each other. Jelle attacked and then I looked for Julien [Vermote] to close the gap. He didn't. I knew I was the fastest in the front group and that Tosh [van der Sande] was also fast. I gamlbled and I lost. My next race is Putte-Kappelen."