With Robert Gesink and Bauke Mollema both in the line-up, Belkin had big hopes for this year's Tirreno-Adriatico but the team leaves the race empty-handed. Gesink had to abandon the race due to illness while Mollema was far from his best level in the Italian race.

The Belkin Pro Cycling Team concluded Tirreno-Adriatico today with Maarten Tjallingii finishing 17th in the time trial. The Dutchman needed 10:50 minutes to complete the 9.1-kilometre course that began and finished in San Benedetto del Tronto. 

Italian Adriano Malori of team Movistar covered the course the fastest, clocking 10:13. 

“A time trial always hurts and I had hoped to have some fresher legs, but I see no reason to complain, although a top ten finish would have really made me happy,” said Tjallingii. 

Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) kept this overall spot. Bauke Mollema ended up 22nd, Belkin Pro Cycling Team’s best rider. Sports Director Nico Verhoeven had hoped for more. 

“We cannot be satisfied,” said Verhoeven. “It has not been what we’ve had hoped and expected. We wanted to fight for a top spot in the overall with Bauke and Robert Gesink, but Bauke was just not good enough and Robert was struck by health problems.” 

Verhoeven took positives from the Italian stage race though.

“The team supported the leaders very well, but unfortunately it didn’t bring us the desired results. Today, we weren’t able to fight for the win, but the boys gave their all one more time so that they could conclude the race on a high note.” 

Verhoeven said that Tirreno-Adriatico made his riders stronger thanks to the hard course and the good weather. 

“Last year it rained a lot and many riders got sick. But this time, everyone was able to get in some decent hours on the bike. For Sep Vanmarcke and Maarten Tjallingii, it has been a great week. They are looking good in the run-up to the classics.” 

Tjallingii agreed.

“I put some good racing kilometres in my legs and on the climbs I felt fine,” he said. “I’m happy with how my form improved. I’m well on my way for the classics.”