Moreno Hofland proved that he is a coming top sprinter when he took his first ever podium in a grand tour on stage 5 of the Vuelta a Espana. The Dutchman is convinced that it bodes well for the future and now hopes to someday take a win.

Moreno Hofland fought his way to a podium place in the fifth stage of the Vuelta a España today. The 22-year-old sprinter of the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM took third place in Ronda after a 180-kilometre stage. Giant-Shimano’s John Degenkolb took his second consecutive win, Nacer Bouhanni of FDJ placed second. 

Paul Martens closed fifth and Wilco Kelderman 22nd. Their placings helped Team Belkin take its second team stage win of the week and maintain the overall team classification. 
 

“A podium finish in a grand tour, I’m pretty happy with that,” said Hofland afterwards still a little bit dazed. “I was in Paul Martens’ wheel and he dropped me off perfectly. With four hundred metres to go, we had to close a small gap, which was a small thing, but nonetheless I’m very happy with this result. I’ve shown I can finish on the podium, perhaps I can win someday, as well.” 

The leaders of the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM were where they had to be in the final. Kelderman and Robert Gesink were not surprised by some sudden echelons and even managed to move up in the overall thanks to their abilities. Kelderman now sits eighth, Gesink tenth. 

Laurens ten Dam initially lost contact with the first group of riders, but fought his way back. 

“I was a little bit surprised, but fortunately, I wasn’t the only one. Other teams were caught off-guard as well and wanted to return to the front. Together with them, I was able to reconnect with the front group.” 

Ten Dam ended up moving up in the general classification, as well. He’s now 38th, at 1-51 minutes behind Orica-GreenEdge’s red jersey Michael Mattews. 
 

Nico Verhoeven expects that Kelderman, Gesink and Ten Dam will have their work cut out for them in tomorrow’s stage when the peloton faces the first mountaintop arrival. 

“It is a big day for the overall riders,” said the sports director. “It will be a battle between the big names. They have to show how good they truly are at the moment.”