Team LottoNL-Jumbo newcomer Pascal Eenkhoorn has taken his first victory as a professional. The 21-year-old Dutchman defeated his fellow escapee Lawson Craddock in a sprint-a-deux during the first stage of the Italian stage race Coppi e Bartali. It was the eighth victory for Team LottoNL-Jumbo this season.

Eenkhoorn escaped early in the 98-kilometre long stage, together with two fellow escapees. They built up a lead that was big enough to stay away from the peloton. In the end he only remained with Craddock, whom he beat in the last metres.

"I worked hard on my sprint over the winter, so I knew I was fast. This also became clear on the finish line. During the last two kilometres, sport directors Sierk Jan de Haan and Mathieu Heijboer advised me to not take over anymore. I made a feint movement, a few hundred metres before the finish, to which Craddock reacted. Then I quickly overtook him and crossed the finish line first. It feels really fantastic to win so early in the season. Not only for myself, but also for the team”, Eenkhoorn said.

Due to his victory, Eenkhoorn will start the team time trial, which is also held on Thursday, in the leader’s jersey.