Battling Tour de l’Avenir GC podium for Team Picnic PostNL and Matteo Vanhuffel

Photo Credit: Tour de l’Avenir / Jolypics

The final day of racing at the Tour de l’Avenir saw the GC battle finely poised, with Team Picnic PostNL sitting in third and tenth place with Matteo Vanhuffel and Jurgen Zomermaand respectively. Looking to continue their good teamwork throughout the week, the squad set out with the aim of going all-in to defend the podium place.

Some good early riding and positioning work by Lennes Jacobs then Matthew Peace set-up Zomermaand and Vanhuffel for when the last climb of the race got really tough in the closing five kilometres. There were lots of attacks from the GC competitors, especially those who performed on the penultimate stage, losing to put pressure on the team. Vanhuffel rode a mature and measured effort, making sure to not go too deep and having enough left in the tank to take ninth place on the stage, with Zomermaand just behind in 11th.

It was that all-in to the line attitude and effort that ensured Team Picnic PostNL’s Development program ended the race on the overall GC podium with Vanhuffel, as the young Belgian crossed the line with a four second advantage on the nearest GC rival.

Speaking after the stage Vanhuffel reflected: “I think GC wise we had some really good first days here, not losing any time early time on, and the guys rode well to support us. Then in the queen stage yesterday, we gave our everything and it was a really good performance from the whole team where we didn’t make any mistakes at all. Today, I had a pretty bad day if I’m honest, but I’m happy that we could limit the time loss on the last climb and still be on the podium at the end. It’s a really nice feeling to be up there, and thanks to the guys for their hard work.”