Jan Barta confirmed that he is one of the best time trialists in the business when he finished second behind Maciej Bodnar i the final time trial of the Driedaagse van De Panne. Having missed the split in yesterday's second stage, the Czech lost a podium spot on the Kemmelberg and the team was left wondering what might have been after his great time trial.

 

Jan Barta finished the individual time trial as the second fastest rider to close out the “Three Days of De Panne”. He rode the 14.3-kilometer course in the Belgian town of De Panne in 17:54 minutes, which was only three seconds behind the winner Maciej Bodnar (Cannondale).   David Boucher (FDJ) completed the podium. With this result, Barta showcased his qualities as a time trial competitor. The 29-year-old from the Czech Republic has placed in the top ten in every time trial this season.

 

“We can definitely be pleased with this result. It was an excellent time trial for Jan, but we also expected that. Jan put in extra work preparing for this tour and especially for the time trial.

 

"That’s why it’s all the more frustrating that yesterday we lost all of our chances for a good result in the general classification. Obviously it’s hard to make up for Paul Voss and Daniel Schorn [who crashed in Gent-Wevelgem]. But fifth place for Ralf [Matzka] this morning and second place for Jan this afternoon, is still a redeeming way to end the tour,” Sport Director Enrico Poitschke said, summing up.

 

Barta will be at the starting line this coming Sunday for the Tour of Flanders and will attempt to make an impression for Team NetApp-Endura in the third World Tour Classic of the season.

 

“We will also be at a disadvantage in the upcoming Tour of Flanders, since we have lost Paul Voss, who was supposed to be the team captain. Not only that, but many of our guys were involved in crashes over the past few days. Nevertheless, we will present ourselves as best we can and give it our all,” Poitschke added.