Photo Credit: Limburg Cycling
Development Team Picnic PostNL lined up for Hel van het Heuvelland, part of the U23 Road Series, together with Dutch Food Valley Cycling Team. Halfway through the race, a six-rider group went clear with Alexandre Trouvain representing the combined team. Behind, the peloton split into several groups, with Finn O’Brien riding in the second group and Mees Vlot in the third. Unfortunately, Mees was forced to abandon later in the race.
As the race entered its decisive phase, the six-rider breakaway was gradually reduced to four. One rider then went clear solo, leaving Trouvain to battle for the remaining podium places. He ultimately finished third after narrowly missing out in the sprint for second. A strong result for the young Frenchman, while O’Brien also showed his strength by staying in contention in the second group. It was another encouraging performance from our first-year riders, showing that they are already capable of racing at the front and fighting for the win.