It was a olid performance by the leader of Bardiani – CSF Sonny Colbrelli in the opening stage of Driedaagse De Panne that finished in Zottegem after 189.1km and with high winds that reached speeds of 80km/h.

The race found his key moment with 25km to go when four riders Kristoff and Bystrom (Katusha), De Bie (Lotto – Soudal) and Devolder (Trek), joined the two previous escapees Debusschere and Bak (Lotto – Soudal). They held off the chase of peloton and went to sprint for the victory, with Kristoff taking the win.

The main group which was whittled down on the climbs and by the wind, arrived 34 seconds later. Sonny Colbrelli, always in good position in the key passages and one of the most active during the chase, had made the selection.

”Sonny rode really well today in a demanding stage which was selective due to the strong winds. It was also a good also performance by Barbin, Battaglin and Simion, all at the first experience in this kind of race. They were in the leading group until 40km to go. Tomorrow we expect a new though stage where our guys have to try to stay in front and avoid getting dropped when the battle begin," sports director Mirko Rossato said.