Rick Pluimers finds himself in between Kooij and Van der Poel at Tirreno-Adriatico: “I'm showing that I can compete here too”

In brutal conditions on Stage 4 of Tirreno-Adriatico, Olav Kooij powered to victory, but the real surprise came just behind him, Rick Pluimers of Tudor Pro Cycling sprinted to an impressive second place, even beating Mathieu van der Poel to the line.

Speaking to In De Leiderstrui after the race, Pluimers reflected on the freezing and rainy conditions that made the stage even more challenging.

"Luckily, we have good clothes. I even had to finish in my warm clothes because I didn't have time to take them off, haha. It kept me nice and warm in the end, which may have given me the legs in the final sprint."

For Pluimers, this result is another sign of his growing form in what has already been a strong season.

"It's been a fantastic season so far, I'm very happy with the form I'm in. I'm getting closer every time, with good legs. I'm showing that I can compete here too."

Although he came close to victory, Pluimers acknowledged that Kooij’s return to the front group was the deciding factor.

"Maybe I could have won if Olav didn't come back a lap earlier," he smiled. "When he's there and you know how hungry he is, it's just a matter of trying to follow him. Then a second place was the best I could achieve today. Thanks to Kooij, I also knew which wheel I had to follow to get a good result."

Pluimers rode a smart and patient race, positioning himself well for the sprint despite the challenging finale.

"On that last steep climb, I tried to keep up, and I was in the right place in the end. When it became a mass sprint, I tried to go my own way. I got on Ganna's wheel and thought: if I stay here, I will probably get into the right position. When he had to brake at 300 meters, I shot through to Kooij's wheel, and then it was all until the finish. I kept sprinting and was just able to throw my wheel in front of Mathieu's. That makes this second place nice."

His effort to fight back after falling behind in the echelons was another key moment.

"It went sideways after that climb, and I think I was in 50th place. I jumped from group to group and ended up in the first echelon. Today my legs were really good, yes. Too bad that Kooij came back, but that's how it goes in racing. I'm very happy to come second after such a tough day in the rain."

With a fourth place yesterday and second today, Pluimers is clearly on an upward trajectory, and he believes there may be more to come.

"I am making big steps and I am showing that I am developing well. Yesterday I was fourth, and today second, that is not bad in such a race. Winning on the final day? That is more of a real sprint ride, then we might divide it differently with Maikel," he said.