Dylan Groenewegen dashed to fifth in Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday in Waregem. Groenewegen led the chase group across the line behind four leading attackers, with Yves Lampaert taking the victory.

"Too bad it was not a sprint for victory, but it's a good sign that I was in the game," said Groenewegen after his fifth place in the race making its WorldTour debut. "I knew the shape was good, but I was riding for victory. Today, there were four who were better."

With about 80 kilometres to go, on the Berendries sector, a group pulled away, including Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s Groenewegen and Amund Grøndahl Jansen. The group managed to reel in the day’s early breakaway to set up the race’s decisive moves.

"It was a good choice to go with this group,” Groenewegen said. “I've done my work, but did notice that Quick-Step were very strong, so it was up to them to take the lead. You know that the group won’t stay away until the finish, and on the Paterberg, four riders got away. Those four were the strongest today.”

"I feel a lot better than in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad [February 25] and I came out relatively well over the climbs,” he continued. “In the final, I felt surprisingly fresh. With a fifth place I should be happy, but I hope to come back here to compete for the win.”

Sports Director Jan Boven

"We’ve raced as it was planned today," explains Sports Director Jan Boven. "We had to create a situation to be in the front, before the strong men go. Twan Castelijns anticipated on the road to the Haaghoek, and Grøndahl Jansen and Groenewegen slid along on the Berendries.”

“When the four men were away it was clear that the fifth place was the best we could do. From that moment we told the team to prepare for the sprint. Groenewegen finishes it by sprinting for fifth place."

Groenewegen stayed near the front of the action all day, and that's where Boven says he needs to be in these races: "If you don’t, you will be dropped, so it is important to choose a position, and that’s what Groenewegen did today."