Lotto Soudal decided to do the sprint for Kris Boeckmans in stage one of the World Ports Classic but despite a perfect lead-out from Jens Debusschere, he had to settle for third.

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose," he told Het Nieuwsblad. "I have also done a lot during the race and was probably not fresh enough in the long sprint. I can live with this third place. We did a lot during the race and suddenly we were only 30 riders left.

"There was a discussion [about team leadership]. But we are here to support each other and on Sunday we will ride for Jens. That's the agreements in the team. Jens also worked for me three times in Picardie. On Sunday it's up to him. This is a team sport, a bit of give and take."