Belkin missed out on the opportunity to sprint for the win in yesterday's stage of the Tour of California. Instead, the team has said it sights on today's harder stage which suits a strong sprinter like Moreno Hofland perfectly.

The amazing California State Route 1 views over the Pacific Ocean weren’t able to push the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM to new heights today. During Wednesday’s fourth stage of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California, the peloton took to the Golden State's scenic Highway 1, from Monterey to Cambria, and was left stunned by a breakaway that stayed away to the finish. Canadian Will Routley of Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies took the stage victory. Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM's Moreno Hofland had a go in the bunch sprint for the seventh place but had to settle for 20th place on the day. 

Belkin's Nick van der Lijke would have liked to be in the break Wednesday, as well, but the youngster from Vlissingen didn’t have lady lucky on his side.

“I’ve tried to get away 20 times, I think,” puffed the 22 -year-old Dutchman immediately after the stage. “At one point, I thought I’d had finally managed to break free with some other riders, but we were reeled in not long after that.” 

Dennis van Winden tried to force a breakaway multiple times, as well, but the Dutchman from Delft was unsuccessful, too.

“The goal was to be in the break, but at one point they closed the door and we couldn’t pass anymore.” 

Sports Director Nico Verhoeven saw it all unfold in front of his eyes, but wasn’t bothered too much by the missed opportunity. Immediately after the stage, he already looked ahead to tomorrow’s ride.

“The sprint teams couldn’t close the gap and a breakaway held on today. We’ll just try again tomorrow. Stage 5 is pretty hard, but we hope to sprint for the win with Moreno Hofland.” 

The fifth stage of the Tour of California leads the pack over 174 kilometres from Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara. The riders face San Marcos Pass, a first-category climb, about 30 kilometres from the finish.