Steven Kruijswijk has left a strong impression in the ninth stage of the Tour de France. In the cobblestone stage to Roubaix, the leader of Team LottoNL-Jumbo rode very attentively all day long and finished in the peloton of the favourites in twentieth place. Primoz Roglic and Robert Gesink also finished in the first peloton.

The stage was anything but flawless, however, with amongst others a crash from Dylan Groenewegen. The double stage winner suffered a knee injury, but could continue nevertheless. He will travel to Chambery with the Tour peloton this evening.

The other riders also didn’t get through the stage without bad luck. Thanks to excellent team work by Amund Jansen, Timo Roosen and Robert Gesink, Steven Kruijswijk was able to regain his position in the peloton after a puncture. Antwan Tolhoek was part of the early breakaway, but the young Dutchman punctured on the first cobblestone section.

“It went very well”, Kruijswijk said, looking back at the chaotic stage. “You have to keep fighting all day and for every cobblestone section you have to be in the front. There were fifteen sections, but it’s the same game for every section. Everyone wants to turn onto the sections in the front. The team worked really well for me today. I was feeling good and that’s nice. I’m glad that this stressful week is over and that we are now heading into the Alps. I’m looking forward to it.”