Dylan Groenewegen kicked-off Team Jayco AlUla’s European racing in style with an empathic sprint victory at the Gran Premi València.

The Australian outfit lined up in Spain with a strong team full of intent and they made no mistake as they delivered a dream start to the 2024 European season.

Felix Engelhardt infiltrated a dangerous breakaway of 16 riders that went clear over the early climbs, with the squad working hard behind to look after Groenewegen. The last of the escapees were eventually mopped up with 12km remaining and from then on it was a ‘game on’ for a sprint finish.

Luka Mezgec and Elmar Reinders were tasked with guiding Groenewegen through the final kilometres before the Dutch powerhouse finished things off with an imperious sprint display to take his first win of the year

Dylan Groenewegen:
“It was a bit hectic [in the final] but we made a really good plan. Maybe the final was not the hardest part it was already in the start, but the team did a really good job bringing me back into position and making the peloton. 

Then, we caught the breakaway of 16 guys. We also had Felix in the break so that was good for us. In the final, we did everything well. I was a bit in the bubble, a little bit behind the boys, but actually that was good and I could use the slipstream of the other sprinters. 

In the end, I could finish top. It is nice to pay off the hard work of the team.”

2024 Gran Premi València – Results:
1. Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco AlUla)
2. Bryan Coquard
3. Tim Teutenberg

Photo: Sprint Cycling