Koen Bouwman aims for GC after stage win in Tour of Slovakia - "It won't be easy we but will definitely still go for that overall win"

Koen Bouwman is once again back on the podium with his recent win in the fourth stage of the Tour of Slovakia on Friday. Additionally, the Dutchman jumped to second place in the GC, and now he is aiming for the top spot.

"I am of course, very happy that I was able to win," Bouwman told in the post-race interview. The stage was lengthy compared to others, with a distance of more than 200 kilometers involving hilly climbs.

The plan was for Bouwman to use the climbs to overtake the GC leader Josef Černý, but the plan failed. "At 80 kilometers from the line, we tried to ride off leader Cerny, but it didn't work, We then switched to plan b, stage win," Bouwman said

GC's top position may be within reach for him after his victory, but given only one stage left to complete, his chances are slim. "It will have to be via bonification seconds, but it won't be easy. Quick-Step-Alpha Vinyl has some fast men to snatch those seconds. We have already won two stages here, but we will definitely still go for that overall win," concluded Bouwman.