Having lost lots of time in the time trial, Belkin have to attack to move up in the overall standings at the Tour of Belgium. Stage 4 turned out not to be hard enough to make a difference but the team promises to ride aggressively in Sunday's queen stage.

The Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM wasn’t able to get in the mix in the fourth and penultimate stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour today. Paul Martens ended up 24th in Lac de l'Eau d'Heure. André Greipel won the bunch sprint on the slightly uphill final straight. Tony Martin maintains the race lead. 

“Omega Pharma-Quick Step controlled the race for Martin,” said Sports Director Michiel Elijzen. “They kept the break in check. Men like Bram Tankink, Sep Vanmarcke and Maarten Wynants could have tried something today, but I think the course was not difficult enough. Tomorrow’s route is better suited for attacks. In the end, a large group sprinted for the win. Unfortunately, Paul couldn’t interfere.” 

The German was realistic afterwards.

“I just wasn’t good enough. Normally, an arrival like today’s suits me, but I just didn’t have the legs.” 

Elijzen hopes his riders can make tomorrow’s final stage an exciting one.

“We have nothing to lose. Our positions in the overall are not enough to take a safe approach. I would like to see our men attack. A hard race would be in our favour. It could become a thrilling last day.”