Bouwman makes big gains in mountains competition
Koen Bouwman made another huge leap in winning the Critérium du Dauphiné mountains competition, escaping today for the fourth time in the French stage race. The Dutchman scored another twenty points en route to the Alpe d’Huez finish, the stage won by a solo Peter Kennaugh.
Stef Clement climbed along with the best riders and led Team LottoNL-Jumbo to the finish with 23rd place.
“It was a good day for us,” Sports Director Grischa Niermann said. “Koen was in the breakaway again and gathered many points in the battle for the mountains jersey. When they began climbing the last col, he was not able to follow anymore. Still, he rode really strong again today.
“Stef had a good day. When we were underway, he said he did not have good legs, but until Richie Porte accelerated with two kilometres to go, he rode along with the GC favourites.”
The Critérium du Dauphiné closes tomorrow with a stage that includes four difficult climbs.
“It will be a very hard day. It is a short stage, only 115 kilometres, but with four very tricky climbs. Koen is still uncertain of the overall mountains competition. If he is able to score some points on the first climb of the day, the jersey is likely his. We have to see how the race develops.”
