ProTeam Lionel Taminiaux caps off long breakaway with stage victory in ZLM Tour

When Lionel Taminiaux initiated the breakaway of the day after 25 kilometres of racing, he certainly did not expect to cross the finish line first four and a half hours later. “There was a lot of wind and our advantage never exceeded a minute and a half throughout the race,” Taminiaux explains. “The five of us worked well together, but we expected the classic breakaway scenario, with the peloton catching us in the finale. However, because of the nature of the tricky local circuit, with climbs and narrow roads, it was difficult for the peloton to make up much ground. That was when we started to realise that something might actually be possible. With 50 kilometres to go, there were four of us left and we started to increase the pace. The cooperation was absolutely perfect until 700 metres from the finish. We kept rotating constantly, with everyone doing their share. I really have to thank the other guys for that. Everyone kept fully committing to our chance. Of course, I still had the opening stage of the Renewi Tour in the back of my mind. I let an opportunity slip away deep into the finale there, and I had learned my lesson.”

Taminiaux entered the final corner in first position, but then saw fellow escapee Danny van der Tuuk accelerate from behind. “Martijn Rasenberg immediately managed to get onto his wheel, while I suddenly had to close a gap of 50 metres. With 500 metres to go, Rasenberg launched his sprint. I was sprinting just as fast as him but wasn’t getting any closer… until he sat down for a moment. That allowed me to pass him with 20 metres to go. I knew my form was good and I think I played it well tactically. It certainly wasn’t an easy victory: I really had to fight and sprint all the way to the line. To be able to finish it off with a win makes it even more satisfying.”

Picture: ZLM Tour