BORA – ARGON 18 rider Jan Barta proved his time trial qualities once again at the opening of the Three Days of West-Flanders. The 30-years old Czech rider rode the prologue over 7 kilometers in just 08:02 minutes – the fourth fastest time. He missed the 2nd place by a second only. Anton Vorobyev (Katusha) set the fastest time ahead of Jesse Sergent (Trek). In the past of the short stage race, the prologue result determined the overall classification despite two challenging stages still to follow.

“Jan rode an excellent time trial once again. His result is a great starting position for the team in the upcoming two days. The minimum is to defend the third place in the GC. The wind might affect the next stages, we have to race some cobblestone sectors and tomorrow we climb the Kwaremont. Given the tight time differences there are still opportunities left to influence the race. Our guys showed their good form in the last days, so everything is possible”, comments Sport Director Steffen Radochla the opening of the race. 

The second stage leads the riders over 174 kilometers from Brugge to Harelbeke. The Oude Kwaremont, known from the Tour of Flanders, is part of the profile before a finishing lap of 10 kilometers must be raced four times.