“I was too far behind in the last corner,” Groenewegen said. “After that corner, there was 500 metres to go. I came out the corner in 14th position. I should have been more in the front. From that point, I just started sprinting and arrived in third place. I do not know if it cost me the win. We know my speed is there, but Kittel is very strong too."

“My confidence is good, we know my form is good. We want to compete for top step of the podium and that did not happen, but we are on the right way."

“We keep on trying, that is our goal. We are always in the top-10 and today we did a little better. Finishing in third place is a good result, but we want more. We are ready for the coming days.” 

“It is unbelievable that Dylan got third position,” Nico Verhoeven said. “He was far behind out of the last corner. From that spot, you can never win."

“Today, we did not put a man in the front to close the gap to the breakaway. Kittel wins 80 per cent of the sprints. The other teams gave Quick-Step an easier day today. We do not mind if it comes to a sprint, but there are teams who do not have a sprinter.” 

“I am standing here proud, but a little frustrated if you see how far in the back Dylan was,” Frans Maassen said. “You know he might be able to win, but it all must fall in the right place at the right time."

“I will not say he would have beaten Kittel, but I would like to see a direct duel between them. Dylan is very quick. If he is in the right place, he can compete for the win. To be in that place, you must have a bit of luck, along with finesse and timing.”