Slightly eclipsed by the race for the Top 5, Team Belkin achieved a formidable team performance in this Tour de France with three riders in the Top 15 in the GC before the final time-trial.

Sixth last year, Bauke Mollema, is about to obtain a similar result this season as he lies 7th, 13:56 behind Vincenzo Nibali thanks to a consistent if not excellent showing in the mountains. Laurens Ten Dam, 13th in 2013, does a lot better this year since he features in 8th place overall. To that familiar pair must be added Steven Kruijswijk, who moved up to 15th in the GC thanks to a great ride in the stage to Hautacam.

"The stage to Hautacam was fantastic for our team. The guys consolidated their positions in the overall. Laurens made his way back thanks to fantastic work by Lars (Boom) and we ended the day with three men in the top 15 of the stage and the overall. Today is symbolic for the spirit in our squad.” 

The team spirit was already cheered up by Lars Boom's emphatic victory on the cobbles in stage 5. And the same spirit allowed the Dutch team to find a new sponsor for next season, the national lottery.