Racing
Marijn van den Berg wins Occitanie opener
Dutch rider outsprints rivals in France
June 15, 2023
Marijn van den Berg won the opening stage at the Route d’Occitanie today, holding off the competition in a close sprint.
The team protected the Dutch rider during the 184-kilometer stage that traveled along southern France. As the peloton approached the flamme rouge, signaling the last kilometer of the race, teammate Georg Steinhauser moved to the front of the peloton to lead out Marijn. In response to Georg’s pace, the reduced bunch of about 25 riders immediately began to stretch thin. Marijn accelerated through the last curve with 300 meters to go and opened up a small advantage over his rivals. He held on to take the win.
The 23-year-old has been in solid form this season, winning at Trofeo Ses Salines and earning several subsequent top ten results. Today’s victory has earned Marijn both the race leader’s jersey and the best young rider’s jersey.
The four-day stage race continues through Sunday. Tomorrow it will leave the Mediterranean coast and head inward toward the Pyrenees.