Joris Nieuwenhuis flies into 4th place at European Championships, but "a lot more is possible"

Joris Nieuwenhuis has for the time being left road cycling, not continuing his World Tour position with Team DSM so as to focus on cyclocross entirely. This Sunday's European Championships were only his third race of the season, but the Dutchman finished fourth and was very close to the podium.

“For me this is a surprise, I had signed up for it beforehand. But when I look at how I've always ridden here, this is also a course that suits me," Nieuwenhuis told Wielerflits. "Halfway through the race I certainly didn't realize that I would be in the top five, but there is just very little decline per lap for me."

The muddy and tough conditions on the climbing-filled circuit of Namur proved to be very difficult for some, whilst physical problems and mechanicals took out the likes of Eli Iserbyt and Quinten Hermans from the race. There was space for riders to come into the Top5 to score a very important result, and Nieuwenhuis took the opportunity to the fullest, to finish only behind the podium of Michael Vanthourenhout, Lars van der Haar and Laurens Sweeck.

“I think the content of the road has helped. I especially noticed that on the long straights, the longer climbs, I had just a little more left than many riders around me," he continued, believing to be benefiting from his more road-focused past, and the endurance that came along. He finished 5th at the Nacht van Woerden and 11th at Maasmechelen - where he was in the battle for the Top5 until a mechanical saw him come down the standings.

“We really went into this season with the idea: we just see how it goes, every nice result is included. Last week went much better than expected, and now again. I have a lot of fun in the field. I also notice for the first time in a long time that I am really nervous for the race again, that says a lot to me," Nieuwenhuis, now racing for Baloise - Trek Lions, added.

“I really hoped it would rain beforehand, but halfway through I also cursed it a bit because I notice that my technique is not yet optimal. I had to walk really long a few times on the sloping sides," he mentioned regarding the long off-camber section which has seen so many riders struggle on.

“Coincidentally, I just called Paul (Van den Bosch his trainer, ed.) and he also said: we really have to work on that. According to him, a lot more is possible than what I'm showing now. In terms of power and flexibility it is actually good, but I still make too many mistakes along the way," he added, however showing that in the legs he has the power to fight for the top positions.

“My ambition is simply to learn a lot throughout the season. I want to learn from Sven [Nys], from Paul, from Lars [van der Haar], from everyone around me. And I really want to get into a rhythm so I can really compete at the front again next year. This is all a plus, but we really want to think long term," he admits, revealing his ambitions go beyond the 2022-2023 season.

“I think the Baloise Trek Lions team is the right place to grow slowly. I feel good here. It's all a bit smaller. I notice that it feels like a family. I like that," he concluded.