Photos: GettySport 

A mammoth breakaway effort from Adam de Vos secured Human Powered Health cycling’s men’s team’s first podium of 2023.

The Canadian sprinted to third place at the Albert Achterhes Profronde van Drenthe one day classic, having spent much of the day in the early breakaway. 

“It feels great both personally and for the team,” he said afterward. “Hopefully it can create some momentum for us.”

De Vos displayed his strong classics credentials when after initially being caught, he attacked again along with Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Dstny), Tobias Lund Andresen (Team DSM) and solo victor Per Strand Hagenes (Jumbo-Visma). 

 

A race in two parts for de Vos, he averaged 365 watts for the day – most of which was spent in a three-rider breakaway – before his second attack, 15 kilometers to the finish, triggered a sprint to the line that hit just under 1,500 watts.  

2022 was a tough year for the 29-year-old who suffered from the effects of long COVID for much of the season. Sunday’s podium in the Netherlands marks the high point of that recovery, a personal journey often unseen.

“I’m really relieved to get a big result,” he exclaimed. “From never feeling like I could get back to my level to finally feeling good in Omloop [Het Nieuwsblad – WorldTour classic where de Vos was also in the breakaway] and put that together here is something that I can be proud of.”

Although the race was shortened due to adverse weather conditions, the classic lost very little of its potency with crosswinds whipping across many open roads around the race center point, the imperious VAM berg climb. 

“I’m glad I wasn’t in the peloton,” he says of the muddy conditions the riders faced on the twisting parcours around the man-made semi-cobbled climb built atop a landfill site. 

 

Having crossed the line with his face bathed in mud like a gladiator, de Vos was keen to praise his teammates – past and present – for their support both in the race and throughout the previous season. 

“The guys have been really supportive,” he says. “Guys like Pier, August, [previous teammate] Arvid and Colin would say stuff like ‘we know how strong you are, and we know you can get back to your level,’ so that’s really nice to hear when you think you’re never going to be fit again. 

“My parents say the same,” he added. “They will be proud of me if I’m first or last, but I always want to make them proud.”

A landmark moment for de Vos, the third place signifies the faith his friends and parents had in him at his lowest point last year. 

“I’m really glad that I stuck with it and the team stuck with me and it’s really nice to get back to where I know I can be,” he added.

As the team’s longest-serving rider, de Vos is a popular part of Human Powered Health and always brings positive vibes to race day, as showcased when he began shaving his legs before the start.

Everyone knows cyclists shave their legs but @A_de_Vos has an even better performance reason to.

“Don’t waste energy with hair growth?”

[fact cannot be scientifically verified] #HumanPoweredHealth | #RondevDrenthe pic.twitter.com/piElzQ5U9Y

— Human Powered Health Cycling (@hphcycling) March 12, 2023

“It was kind of a troll obviously but in reality; I like to keep it chill before the race. I probably should have done it last night,” he jokes.

The men’s squad continues their Northern European one day schedule this week at the Grand Prix de Denain, Bredenne Koksijde Classic, Classic Loire Atlantique and Cholet – Pays de la Loire races. 

Albert Achterhes Profronde van Drenthe results
1 HAGENES Per Strand – Jumbo-Visma 3:07:00
2 ANDRESEN Tobias Lund – Team DSM 0:08
3 DE VOS Adam – Human Powered Health ”
4 VERMEERSCH Florian – Lotto Dstny ”
5 WELSFORD Sam – Team DSM 0:32
6 MENTEN Milan – Lotto Dstny ”
7 BIERMANS Jenthe – Team Arkéa Samsic ”
8 THIJSSEN Gerben – Intermarché – Circus – Wanty ”
9 VAN UDEN Casper – Team DSM ”
10 BRAET Vito – Team Flanders – Baloise ”