28-year old Bart Lemmen turned pro only in 2022 and was part of Human Powered Health last season. Without many results to show for, the Dutchman seemed to be an unusual signing, but he immediately proved himself as a great rider on his first shot, leading Team Visma | Lease a Bike into a Top5 at the Tour Down Under.
"Our goal was to defend Bart's position in the general classification, and we did that," team DS Addy Engels said in a press release issued by the team following the final day of the race. "We knew that the stage would be decided on the final climb of Mount Lofty. The focus was right, although, unfortunately, both Milan (Vader) and Johannes (Staune-Mittet) crashed in the final stages. Despite this, his teammates gave Bart the perfect support to fight for the day's victory. Fourth place on this tough finish is a great result."
Lemmen was riding in support of Milan Vader up the Old Willunga Hill, but surprisingly found himself in the leading group and was only dropped in the final sprint. There he climbed to sixth overall, but today he climbed yet another spot as he was able to match the vicious attacks of Isaac Del Toro and finished fourth - but in the leading group at the finish. A great surprise for the Dutch team, who see another of it's riders taking a very important jump in performance.
"This is just an outstanding performance. The riders that were here were of a very high level," Engels acknowledges. "Both today and yesterday, Bart managed to keep some big names behind him on challenging courses. What he has shown this week as a newcomer has been great."
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