Steven Caethoven (Verandas Willems - Accent) won the final stage of the Delta Tour Zeeland in a bunch sprint, ahead of cyclocrosser Wietse Bosmans (BKCP - Powerplus) and Roger Hammond (Garmin-Cervélo). Marcel Kittel (pictured) defended his overall title, by keeping an eye on Theo Bos, finishing one place behind the Dutchman in seventh.
After three stages in as many days, Bos was second overall by four seconds. Three riders (Jos van Emden, Roger Kluge, Michael Matthews) were six seconds back.
It was Kittel's first stage race overall win in his first year as a professional and his eighth win of the season. "I am very happy with this win," Kittel said immediately after the finish. "The team worked very hard for me today and again it ended up in a good result."
Caethoven is from close to the area. "It is nice to win in your backyard," he told Het Nieuwsbald after then final stage. "I know the parcours here by heart as I train around here." Caethoven had some health problems this year. "Now it is better. I have power in my legs again and that showed today. I am happy to be back at this level."
The race started active, with a move of 12 riders forming soon. They built an advantage of 3'50, after around 50 kilometers. The pace was furious and Roger Kluge and Michael Matthews had to drop back. The ten remaining front riders had a gap of around two minutes at the halfway point (100 kilometers from the finish).
The 12 cobblestone sections were a test for riders and material, with leader Kittel becoming a victim with about 75km left. But he was quickly back in the bunch.
With just under 70km to go, Martin Martensen (Leopard-Trek) attacked the front group. He had 40 seconds on the group, with 51km remaining. But ten kilometers later he was back in the lead group.
As they passed the finish line for the first time, they had a margin of 1'05 over the peloton, with 25km left.
The bunch caught the breakaway with 13km to go. With ten to go, Jos Van Emden, Joan Offredo, Benoit Vaugrenard and Roger Kluge formed a promising move. They had 100 meters with five kilometers to go, but were reeled in with three kilometers to go.
Rabobank tried to organize a sprint train, but the final remained hectic. Kittel was close to the front to prevent a crash. He didn't have to make the time bonus to take the overall.
Prologue won once again by Jos van Emden
Jos van Emden of the Rabobank team started the Tour of Zeeland the same way he did 12 months ago: With the win in the prologue. He beat Skil-Shimano pair Marcel Kittel and Roger Kluge on the 3.8-kilometer long course. Van Emden's teammates Michael Matthews, Theo Bos and Rick Flens also ended the day in the top ten. It would have been a perfect day for Rabobank if it wouldn't have been for the freak accident by Coen Vermeltfoort, who broke both wrists.
Kittel's performance was crucial for the German. By winning the stage one bunch sprint, he took over the blue leader's jersey. Kittel was still excited about leading the Tour a day after, with only the Sunday stage remaining. "Yesterday was just awesome!" he tweeted. "We worked and stayed so good together during the race! Great job from all!! Thx a lot!!" Kittel beat Bos and Aidis Kruopis (Landbouwkrediet) on the 192.8 km stage from Middelburg to Goes.
Stage results stage 3
1. 53 BEL 19810509 Caethoven, Steven Veranda`s Willems - Accent 4.34'51" 6"
2. 106 BEL 19911230 Bosmans, Wietse BKCP - Powerplus 4.34'51" 4"
3. 2 GBR 19740130 Hammond, Roger Team Garmin-Cervélo 4.34'51" 2"
4. 177 ITA 19890130 Nizzolo, Giacomo Leopard-Trek 4.34'51"
5. 38 BEL 19870205 Peeters, Kevin Landbouwkrediet 4.34'51"
6. 16 NED 19830822 Bos, Theo Rabobank Cycling Team 4.34'51"
7. 91 GER 19880511 Kittel, Marcel Skil - Shimano 4.34'51"
8. 112 BEL 19900601 Vanbilsen, Kenneth Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly 4.34'51"
9. 68 ESP 19881229 Lobato, Juanjo Andalucia - Caja Granada 4.34'51"
10. 35 LTU 19861020 Kruopis, Aidis Landbouwkrediet 4.34'51
Final GC
1. 91 GER 19880511 Kittel, Marcel Skil - Shimano 8.58'09"
2. 16 NED 19830822 Bos, Theo Rabobank Cycling Team 8.58'13" 4"
3. 11 NED 19850218 Van Emden, Jos Rabobank Cycling Team 8.58'15" 6"
4. 92 GER 19860205 Kluge, Roger Skil - Shimano 8.58'15" 6"
5. 13 AUS 19900926 Matthews, Michael Rabobank Cycling Team 8.58'15" 6"
6. 56 NED 19770423 Schmitz, Bram Veranda`s Willems - Accent 8.58'20" 11"
7. 98 NED 19840914 Veelers, Tom Skil - Shimano 8.58'20" 11"
8. 72 FRA 19861112 Offredo, Yoann FDJ 8.58'21" 12"
9. 137 GER 19871120 Pfingsten, Christoph Cycling Team De Rijke 8.58'23" 14"
10. 14 AUS 19790409 Brown, Graeme Rabobank Cycling Team 8.58'23" 14"