Groenewegen finishes fourth in Giro d'Italia sprint after 9 months ban

Jumbo-Visma decieded to put Groenewegen in the squad set for Italy, his first race since the terrible accident at the Tour of Poland which left Fabio Jakobsen with career and life-threatening injuries

"I was really nervous before the race and also in the race," Groenewegen said to the press after the stage, "Going into the final, it was a little bit strange, but it was also really nice. It was a nice moment that I could sprint again with the best sprinters. And a fourth place is not so bad.

"I don't know if will be easier, we have to see, but this was the first small step to be in a hectic final and do a sprint," Groenewegen said. "That happened and that's good. But I'm a winner and of course, I'm a little bit disappointed."

The 27-year-old Dutchman was subsequently suspended, his move considered dangerous by the UCI.

Jakobsen spent months in hospitals and rehabilitation  before making his racing return at the Tour of Turkey last month. Jakobsen hit out at Groenewegen on social media this week, saying Groenewegen still hadn't issued a personal apology for the crash.

“My legs feel good, so I’m looking forward to the next sprint,” he said. “The team drove very well. This is my first time with [leadout men] Dekker and Affini. That takes some getting used to, but because of them I was very well placed.

“The sprint went quite well and better than expected. Maybe I should have started earlier or hesitated a little less. But I have to regain that feeling and the self-confidence too. ”

 He now has a few opportunities to better his fourth-place finish at this month’s Giro, with stage 3 tomorrow being the first.