Team Giant-Shimano were hopeful that Luka Mezgec could mix it up with the best in the sprint in today's Nokere Koerse but when the team missed the big 17-rider break, it ended as a day of chasing for the Dutch team. In the end, the team failed to post a result.

Team Giant-Shimano came up short in today’s Nokere Koerse after spending the day chasing a large group of 17 riders.

The large break formed in the first half of the race and with no riders present, the team had to take up the chase. They were joined by other teams but the effort put in to help bring back this group left them a bit empty towards the end to help set up Luka Mezgec and Jonas Ahlstrand for the finishing sprint.

Ahlstrand finished highest for Team Giant-Shimano in 32nd place. Sea Keong Loh played a strong role in helping in the chase and finished in the peloton showing that he is developing well with the rhythm of WorldTour racing.

Coach, Addy Engels said:

“It wasn’t a great result for the team today. The guys missed the break of 17 and had to spend a lot of energy bringing this back. Together with FDJ they set the finish up for a sprint but it was quite hectic and Luka and Jonas lost their positions and couldn’t back up to the front.”

Mezgec said after the stage:

“We had to chase all day after missing the break but my legs felt good in the end. In the last 4km Jonas and myself were alone and it was a bit of a lottery to get into a good position. In the end neither of us had a good position and I couldn’t sprint.”