ProTeam Lotto Dstny powers to second and third in Volta Limburg Classic

Lotto Dstny put in a strong collective performance in the rain-soaked Volta Limburg Classic. The team couldn’t beat the strong and fast legs of Kaden Groves in the final, but Maxim Van Gils and Pascal Eenkhoorn managed to get a solid second and third place. A few minutes later, Milan Menten won the sprint for fifth from a small group.

In a soaking wet Limburg three of our Lotto Dstny riders managed to get into the final: Maxim Van Gils, Pascal Eenkhoorn and Milan Menten. Under the pouring rain, the leading group continued to thin out and finally, under the impulse of the Dutch champion only three riders remained at the front into the final 40 kilometres: Pascal Eenkhoorn, Maxim Van Gils and Kaden Groves.

In that final, Groves attacked several times. Eenkhoorn had to let go as the Australian went to the finish with Maxim Van Gils. In the sprint, the Lotto Dstny rider had to settle for second place. “I believed in it”, Van Gils said afterwards, “Kaden did all the work in the last 20 kilometres and I was hoping he wouldn’t have much of a sprint left. But, he immediately pushed really hard in the sprint and I quickly noticed he had more power in his legs, which is a pity. It was really a very difficult day, on a tough course and with rain all day long. That was not really pleasant, but okay, you have to go through it. I can live with this second place and I am especially proud of the team. We rode a very strong race.” 

Pascal Eenkhoorn could live with his third place. “I tried to get away, but Kaden countered me and then my tank was empty. He rode another 20 kilometres in the lead with Maxim in his wheel and still won the race. So, he simply was the strongest rider today, that you have to accept. He showed his strong legs already last week in the Tour of Catalonia and won two stages. So we knew it wasn't going to be easy to beat him. We did our best, rode a strong race with the team and put in a great performance. Second and third is a pity of course, you always ride for the win, but you need to have the legs for it.”

Image: Photo News.