Dylan Groenewegen took his first win of 2021 season in the opening stage of the Tour de Wallonie.
The Jumbo-Visma sprinter crossed the finish line one bike length ahead of Hugo Hofstetter and Gianni Vermeersch.
“It is a big relief that I finally won again”, said the Dutch sprinter. “I already felt good in the final of the stages in the Tour of Belgium, but back then I couldn’t finish it off. The team was in control today and did a great lead-out. I never got in a position where I could get boxed in. Timo Roosen was very strong as last lead-out rider and I only had to finish it off. I am really happy that worked out.”
Groenewegen was banned for nine months in November last year for causing Fabio Jakobsen’s serious crash in the opening stage of the Tour of Poland.
“I went through a very difficult period in which cycling came second. A lot has happened. Of course with the accident, but also in my private life. We have continued to work hard and it is very nice to finally win again. The team has been fully supporting me all the time and I am very grateful to them for that. That has helped me a lot.”
The sprint finish from today's opening stage at the @tourdewallonie with @FlorianVermeers first across the line for us in 26th place ?pic.twitter.com/9VSFzxTqeh
— Lotto Soudal (@Lotto_Soudal) July 20, 2021
