Belkin proved that they have one of the strongest lead-out trains in the peloton when they gave Theo Bos the perfect position for the sprint in today's first stage of the Tour of Turkey. Even though the fast Dutchman was beaten into third, his team was pleased to have proved their ability in the delicate of leading out a sprinter.

Theo Bos finished third in the first stage of the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey today. The Dutchman placed behind Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and Elia Viviani (Cannondale) in Alanya. The Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM rider said that he was satisfied with the team's performance. 

"I can live with this third place," says Bos. "There's no disgrace in getting beaten by Cavendish. The boys did a perfect lead-out. I feel very strong, we probably have three sprint stages left, and I hope to win at least one." 

"I'm very satisfied," Sports Director Michiel Elijzen said. "Of course we'd rather win, but Cavendish is one of the best sprinters in the world. I'm very proud of the way the team pulled the sprint for Theo. He was able to begin his sprint from the best possible position. Our train is one of the fastest of the bunch and proved it's very strong and well organised." 

Elijzen said that last week's sprint camp helped the team.

"We've worked on several areas of the sprint and today, we were spotless. We deliberately decided on one side of the road, the boys gave all the right commands and everybody did the precise amount of metres at the front. The men knew exactly what to do. Rick Flens did great by keeping the leaders within reach all day long." 
 

Elijzen sees a new opportunity for the sprint train on Monday.

"Normally, it'll be another bunch sprint tomorrow. The stage runs 175 kilometres long and is completely flat."