“Two more stages then I’m free” – Timo de Jong wins in Holland and attracts attention of World Tour teams

The Tour of Holland returned to the road on Saturday for stage 4, and it was Dutch rider Timo de Jong who seized the moment. The VolkerWessels Continental rider claimed his first professional victory after outsmarting bigger names in a selective finale. It was a result that carried both relief and disbelief for the 25-year-old, who is expected to move to Team Picnic PostNL in 2026.

“I thought: two more stages to go, then I’m free,” he admitted afterward to In de Leiderstrui. “I knew they were coming, and from the moment they joined me, I knew I didn’t have to do anything. They’re the big names; they have to pull. I was able to follow. Kubis accelerated on the cobblestones, but I was able to follow. That’s when I knew my legs were still good. Then it was full throttle to the finish. Luckily, no one else could pass me.”

De Jong held off Christophe Laporte and Lukas Kubis in a small-group sprint to deliver the most significant result of his career so far. “I didn’t think I could win, I thought I’d be in the top three,” he said. “But winning is different, of course.” The victory, his first at professional level, carried extra meaning given the location. “It’s very special, especially because it’s in the Netherlands, and winning a professional race is fantastic. If you can win here, it’s fantastic, especially because your family is there with you.”

After four stages, De Jong sits seventh overall, 90 seconds behind Laporte. His surprise triumph adds to a solid season for VolkerWessels and hints at his readiness to step up to a higher tier. Rumors of his transfer to Picnic PostNL suggest that his development will continue closer to home in 2026, something the rider was careful not to confirm. “I hope so. I’m not going to say anything about it,” he said with a smile.

For all his emerging stature, De Jong’s story remains grounded. Away from the peloton, he still spends part of his week at a local bike shop. “I still work a few days a week at VeloSport in Middelburg. I get all the support I need there, and they’re also thrilled that I’m racing at this level. I’ve already learned a lot and had some great experiences at Picnic PostNL, so I’m happy to be able to wrap it up this way.”

His approach to victory was as pragmatic as his lifestyle. “It’s quite special, yes. When they joined me, I stopped riding. I was only here for that stage. If I had ridden, my team manager would have told me,” the winner laughed. “After tea, there’ll probably be a beer tonight, or a glass of red wine.”