Dylan Groenewegen takes this season's fifth victory at Tour of Slovenia: "We were not helped by the other teams. I don't know why"

Dylan Groenewegen took dominant win in the opening stage of Tour of Slovenia. It's a fifth victory this year for Groenewegen already and he's not planning to slow down as the Slovenian race will offer few more chances for sprinters.

"It wasn't easy, I would even call it a tough day," the Dutch sprinter started. "In the beginning it went well, but BORA-hansgrohe and Tudor attacked uphill. That's not good for a sprinter like me, but team surrounded me and brought me back perfectly."

"We used everyone, as we were not helped by the other teams. I don't know why that was, but it doesn't matter because we won. Luka Mezgec did a great lead-out, that was really perfect. After such a preparation from the book it was easy to win," the Dutchman praised his teammates.

"It was very hot, but I was able to maintain myself somewhat on the short climbs," Groenewegen looked back. "The fact that it was such a tough day only made the victory even better. That a classification guy like Filippo Zana even sacrificed himself says a lot. I hope I can pay him back later this week."