This week Nacer Bouhanni is making his return to competition in the Vuelt a Burgos which serves as his final preparation for the Vuelta a Espana. However, the Frenchman didn't get his race off to the best start as he nearly hit the deck in the opening sprint of the race.

For Nacer Bouhanni, the Vuelta a Espana is the big goal in the second half of the season and he will use the Eneco Tour to fine-tune his condition. Yesterday he kicked off the race on a nervous, windy day in the Netherlands that was destined to offer the sprinters a chance to shine.

However, there was no glory for Bouhanni on his comeback day. Despite his team working hard to position him for the sprint, the Frenchman never got the chance to launch his famous kick. In the finale, he had to swerve to avoid a crash which took him out of contention.

"This felt like October and today it was really important to know the sport well," sports director Martal Gayant said. "Narrow roads, often exposed and with lots of wind, with countless turns and roundabouts and numerous inevitable crashes.

"[Fellow sports director] Frédéric Guesdon and I adviced out riders to constantly remain at the front to avoid crashes and splits. The end of the race was very nervous and the preparation for the sprint was even more hectic. Nacer said he almost crashed and was  caught in a swerve 400 meters from the finish line. Yoann Offredo had planned to attack under the flamme rouge but  Tom Dumoulin anticipated him before being caught."