The Jumbo-Visma rider outsprinted Australian Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) and Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-QuickStep), who were second and third respectively.
“It was a short stage, but very difficult because of the wind. The lead-out was good and I’m glad I was able to finish it off," Groenewegen said.
"It was extremely close, but I knew right away that I had won. It was a typical Dutch day: a lot of wind, lots of echelons and a continuous fight for your position. We knew in advance that this could happen.
"It's awesome. The fact that I beat all the top sprinters and clinched the yellow jersey makes it even better. I am already looking forward to the coming sprint stages.”
Australian Michael Matthews, three times a stage winner on the ‘Race to the Sun’, abandoned the event after a crash with around 70kms to go during a stage where the wind caused quite a bit of damage.
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