Francesco Gavazzi lined up as one of the favourites but both he and Southeast teammate Eugert Zhupa was hit by bad luck.

At the Volta Limburg Classic, Eugert Zhupa wanted to celebrate his birthday in the breakaway as he has done in several races. But today he was a little unlucky, with a puncture in a first moment, and when he missed a bend on a descent.

"Today I thought to be more lucky... it's my birthday" says Eugert Zhupa. "I tried to help my teammates from the start, trying to catch the breakaway. When I was in the first group, I was well but the chasing group caught me after an unlucky puncture and a missed bend in the descent... I helped my team in the group, but in the last 20 km I was tired."

In the main group, the Southeast riders worked to catch the breakaway. Francesco Gavazzi stayed with the best riders but he was unlucky too. He obtained 10th place.

"It's been a hard race from the start", says Francesco Gavazzi. "Rain and cold for the half race. At 20 km I was with the best riders, but at 10 km I had to brake because a rider crashed in front of me. I was not able to return to the group and obtained this 10th place. I'm sorry because today we were able to finish on the podium."