The 2015 Tour de France began in Utrecht on Friday with a stage one time trial. In his first Tour de France, Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling’s Dylan van Baarle, racing on home soil, posted a top-20 result and was the top finisher for the Argyle squad.

The urban time trial was flat but technical, with few canal bridges, underpasses and speed bumps along with numerous corners and a handful of tight turns.

“I didn’t think it was so technical on the recon but going race speed it was more difficult,” said van Barrle. “The crowd was amazing. You were in a tunnel of people. I couldn’t even hear the directors on my radio.”

“I had goosebumps on the start ramp,” he added. “It was really special.”

The team’s trio of leaders finished within two seconds of each other with Ryder Hesjedal and Andrew Talansky at 1:15 and Dan Martin at 1:17. Posting times around the mark of the other general classification hopefuls, these performances proved promising for the week ahead.

Adding to the excitement of the opening stage, U.S. National Time Trial Champion Talansky debuted his custom all-AmericanCannondale Slice and national champion skinsuit by Castelli.

The second stage of the Tour de France from Utrecht to Zélande is flat, but it’s Holland, and wind could play a factor. Cannondale-Garmin is ready for the challenge.

“The Tour de France is so much different than any other race,” said van Baarle of his Tour debut. “There is a magic here. It’s still 20 beautiful days to come, and I plan to enjoy every minute.”