“Secretly, you hope for more. You hope that he has a very good day and maybe can take the leader’s jersey,” Sports Director Addy Engels said. “That was not the case today. The climb was very though and Spilak was absolutely the strongest. Steven stayed with the other GC riders and strengthened his podium spot.” 

With a closing time trial to go, Engels sees opportunities for Kruijswijk to improve his position. 

“The gap to fourth place is big enough. If Steven rides a good time trial, the second is within reach. Spilak has a big lead. Normally, he will not give that away to anymore. If nothing crazy happens, Steven will either finish in second or third.” 

Tomorrow’s stage is a circuit of 100 kilometres in and around Schaffhausen with a climb in it. 

“Normally, the GC will not change there. Maybe one of our other guys has something in mind tomorrow. If they can and want to, they’ll have the freedom. We still have a team that is good enough to support Steven.”