Vacek strengthens overall lead in ZLM Tour

Lidl-Trek rider Mathias Vacek claimed victory in Heinkenszand during the second stage of the ZLM Tour. After a demanding 194‑kilometre race, the overall leader outsprinted a disappointed Tim van Dijke of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe. Danny van Poppel won the sprint for third place behind them.

Early echelons split the peloton

Strong winds between Westkapelle and Heinkenszand caused the peloton to break into multiple echelons early in the stage. A front group of thirteen riders eventually formed, including Vacek, Max Walscheid, Hector Alvarez Martinez and Edward Theuns for Lidl-Trek, and Mick van Dijke, Tim van Dijke, Danny van Poppel and Michiel Mouris for Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe. They were joined by Wessel Mouris and Tobias Müller (Unibet Rose Rockets), Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies), David Dekker (BEAT CC p/b SAXO) and Axel van der Tuuk (Euskaltel-Euskadi).

Two‑man battle in the final kilometres

In the closing phase, Vacek and local favourite Tim van Dijke managed to break away from the front group. The Czech rider launched his sprint early, and Van Dijke was unable to come past him. The 26‑year‑old Zeeland native was visibly disappointed at the finish: “It was an incredibly tough stage where you had to stay alert all day,” he said. “I really wanted to win here in my home region, but when I started sprinting I quickly felt I didn’t have enough energy left. It’s a huge disappointment.”

Vacek extends his advantage in the classifications

With his stage win, Vacek further strengthened his position in the general classification. He now leads by 45 seconds over teammate Max Walscheid and 56 seconds over Hector Alvarez, who retained his lead in the Škoda Young Riders Classification. Vacek also continues to lead the Postcode Loterij Points Classification.

Looking ahead to Stage 3

The third stage of the ZLM Tour, on Friday 4 September, takes the riders from Roosendaal to Bergen op Zoom over 201.2 kilometres, including several passages across the Oesterdam.