Steven Lammertink flew team LottoNL-Jumbo's colours in the final stage of the Tour of Yorkshire today by being part of the breakaway. The team, without team leader Steven Kruijswijk, couldn’t join the fight for victory. Stef Clement crossed the line first for the team in a 33rd place. The Belgian Serge Pauwels won the last stage and the final classification.

Kruijswijk pulled out as a  precaution with the Giro d'Italia coming soon. He took a day off after his crash in the first stage. "I could start today, but I prefer an extra day off so I will start in top condition in the Giro. Two hundred metres from the line, they fell at full speed in front of me and they also came from behind. I fell and suffered a slight bruising of my ribs.” 

After visiting the hospital, Kruijswijk got green light to start the next stage. "During yesterday's stage, I could notice that my ribs hurt and had some breathing problems. So I pulled out as a preauction. I know my condition is good and my ambition is to step on the podium in Milan.”

The break started quite soon after leaving and received a maximum of four minutes from the peloton. At 25 kilometres from the finish, it was all over for the break. 

Lammertink said, “Already four men broke free when I attempted and we joined together. Unfortunately, we didn’t get much space from the peloton. It was a very hard day with many uncategorised climbs, but I'm glad I took part in the breakaway."

Sports Director Addy Engels knew in advance that there was little to be achieved in this last stage without leader Kruijswijk. He said, "The goal was to be part of the breakaway and see how far we could go in the difficult final.

Unfortunately, Martijn Keizer didn’t feel well during the stage and pulled out. Without a real leader you have little to say on this hard course."