Nuyens happy to win

"This is my answer to the criticism that I could only win small races," Cofidis' Nick Nuyens said of his stage win the Eneco Tour. He also took over the general classification lead that he hopes to hold through the remaining six days.

"Am I already thinking of the last stage? Not yet, honestly," he told HLN.be. "I know it will be difficult. I am not looking forward to the 30-kilometre closing time trial with its difficult course and many turns, but I have such riders as Dekker, Gutiérrez and Millar, and that makes it more difficult, I fear.

"I am glad to start tomorrow in Antwerp as the race leader," he continued. "That is in my home province. And if I could still wear the leader's jersey Saturday night then that would be great for my fans. Bevel, where I live, is only 15 kilometres away from Putte," where the stage ends.