Tom Dumoulin looks back with satisfaction on the Volta Limburg Classic. The Maastricht resident finished sixth, but without a flat tire there would have been more. “I definitely had the legs to sprint for the podium.”
The Volta Limburg Classic was won by the Belgian Arnaud De Lie.
To attack
Dumoulin showed himself several times from the front in the former Hell of the Mergelland. The man from Maastricht attacked the Gulperberg twice and created the decisive leading group with his attack on the Mheerelindje. “I could participate, I could make a race. But I didn’t have the legs to drive away from everyone. It’s another step forward,” Dumoulin said afterwards.
Puncture
Dumoulin seemed to be sprinting for victory in Eijsden, but a flat tire two kilometers from the finish made that impossible. “I just took the lead to at least finish sixth. It is difficult to sprint against Arnaud De Lie, of course, but I certainly had the legs to sprint for the podium.”
Dumoulin eventually finished sixth.
Read also: Arnaud De Lie wins Volta Limburg Classic, Dumoulin sixth
Match Rhythm
Initially, Dumoulin would not start in Eijsden, but due to a positive corona test in the run-up to the Strade Bianche, he added the Volta Limburg Classic to his program. The Maastricht resident wanted to gain more competition rhythm. That program addition turned out not to be a bad choice because Dumoulin had to give up in the third stage in the Tour of Catalonia.
Amstel Gold Race
Next week, the Jumbo-Visma cyclist will ride again in South Limburg when he starts the Amstel Gold Race. That is the last race that Dumoulin rides before he leaves on an altitude stage to prepare for the Tour of Italy, which starts on May 6. The Maastrichter is one of the leaders of Jumbo-Visma during the Italian cycling round.