While Tim Wellens won the first post-Tour criterium in Aalst, Belgium, ahead of Tim Merlier and Thibau Nys, the criterium season also kicked off in the Netherlands. Boxmeer was first in line among our northern neighbors. It is no coincidence that the race is called “Daags na de Tour” (The day after the Tour). While the crème de la crème of women’s cycling is busy in the Tour des Femmes, the road to victory was clear in Boxmeer for the now 38-year-old Ellen van Dijk. In the men’s race, the two-time Tour stage winners were at the start: Thymen Arensman and the winner of the points classification Jonathan Milan. Arensman was the man of the moment in Boxmeer, with Milan in second place. Danny van Poppel completed the podium.
Text and image: Teus Korporaal