Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s youngsters survived the fifth stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné. 21-year-old Alexey Vermeulen formed part of a breakaway, but was caught quickly. George Bennett finished 26^th behind winner Chris Froome (Team Sky), who took the overall lead.

“George Bennett did a good job today,” Sports Director Merijn Zeeman said. “He was able to follow the group with the top favourites for a long time, but had to let them go several kilometres before the top of the final climb. When you look at the riders around him and the high level they’re at, then I think he’s riding strongly. It’s great for him that he’s able to race like this and that Martijn Keizer and Victor Campenaerts supported him today.”

To finish in time

Zeeman was satisfied with the way his youngsters fought through the stage. “Alexey was part of the breakaway for a while, but they barely had space in front because Tinkoff set such a high pace behind. Dennis van Winden and Mike Teunissen had to give it all to finish the stage in time and they succeeded.”

On Saturday, the riders in the Criterium du Dauphiné face another mountainous stage. “It’s immediately tough with a first category climb,” Zeeman added. “I’m expecting that the race is going to explode immediately. Halfway in the stage, the riders have to climb the Col de la Madeleine. George will have his chance to go for it another time.”