Archie Ryan may have missed most of the 2023 campaign through injury but the Irishman has stormed back into racing action of late, taking a great result in his first race back for Jumbo Visma Development and then lining out for Team Ireland at Tour de l'Avenir to win a stage.
And today in the Netherlands Ryan was once again to the fore, proving strongest in another hard finale to take a Jumbo Visma Development Team 1-2.
The 21-year-old, who is stepping up to the World Tour next season with EF Education-EasyPost, and his team mate Tijmen Graat with 1st and 2nd in Eurode Omloop, a 175km race based around Kerkrade in the province if Limburg.
Finishing on an undulating circuit, with two short sharp climbs on each lap, the finale was perfect for the Jumbo Visma riders to attack their breakaway companions and get clear. A six-man breakaway formed early in the race, with Ryan later getting across to them in a 13-strong group, making for 19 riders leading the way as the raced approached the final.
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As the final hour of racing began, the front group split, with six riders going clear, including Ryan and team mate Graat, a 20-year-old Dutch rider who has already signed a three-year deal with Jumbo Visma's World Tour team, set to start in 2025.
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Once the leaders reached the finishing circuit - featuring the climbs of Brugmolenweg (900m at 3.1 per cent) and Duivelsbos (600m at 5.1 per cent), Graat attacked solo and pulled out a gap. He had an advantage for about 25 seconds as he began the final lap, with Ryan attacking those behind and bridging up to his team mate.
The two Jumbo Visma Development riders then approached the finish together, not contesting the final sprint. Rather, they both celebrated the victory, with Graat crossing the line first and Ryan beside him in 2nd place. Huub Artz (Metec-SOLARWATT p/b Mantel) was best of the rest, taking 3rd place from the remains of the breakaway behind the winner and runner-up.
