Dumoulin gets straight back on his bike for post-Tour race in Boxmeer

DutchNews, July 30, 2018

Tom Dumoulin (left) on the podium in Paris with Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome.
Photo: Stephane Mantey/ Belga via HH

Just a day after finishing second in the Tour de France, Tom Dumoulin is getting back on his bike for the Daags na de Tour race in Boxmeer. 

Organisers of the 80km race are hanging out yellow banners to welcome Dumoulin, who became the first Dutchman in 28 years to finish on the podium in Paris. Last year the town was decorated in pink to salute Dumoulin’s victory in the Giro d’Italia. 

Dumoulin ended the Tour 1 minute 51 seconds behind Welshman Geraint Thomas, the surprise winner, with Chris Froome, who edged out the Dutchman in this year’s Giro in May, a further 33 seconds behind. 

The 27-year-old from Limburg is one of several leading tour riders competing in Boxmeer, along with Steven Kruijswijk, who finished fifth overall, Bauke Mollema, Laurens ten Dam and Wout Poels. 

The short, flat course is best suited to sprinters such as last year’s winner, Dylan Groenwegen, who is also competing and claimed two stage wins in the first week of this year’s Tour. 

Race organiser Pierre Hermans said Mollema was a late addition to the start list after sponsors came up with extra cash to add his name to those of Dumoulin and Kruijswijk. ‘Initially he was out of our range. We had reached the limit of our budget. But the extra sponsorship money meant we were able to bring Bauke to Boxmeer,’ he told AD.