Disappointment reigned in the team Argos-Shimano yesterday. The team had been hoping for a stage win for sprint ace Marcel Kittel but he was positioned too far back in the peloton at showdown time.

“Third place isn't a win, it's close but not enough,” said Kittel. “We were in a good position, but we went a bit too far out which meant that I needed to get around a teammate of Greipel and Cavendish before the line. The legs are really good so I'm very disappointed as today was a big chance where we had the potential to win but others were stronger and better positioned. Tomorrow will be tough, I'll try to hold onto the bunch but it won't be easy so we will see.”

Kittel’s teammate Tom Dumoulin concurred with the German’s analysis.

“We came through a bit too early today which made it hard in the end for us. Once Greipel's train overtook us we knew it would be difficult. Sometimes Marcel can make it happen, but sometimes it is too much and that was unfortunately the case today. I couldn’t push it any harder at the end - in cycling sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.”

Sports Director Rudi Kemna agreed with his riders.
 

“Today went quite well but we were focused on winning so we are left a bit disappointed. The guys were really focused for the whole race and showed great teamwork in holding their position on a nervy stage. We didn’t have any problems with the wind or crashes and they protected Marcel very well. We were well positioned in the finale, but with one kilometre to go we were a bit too far behind and Marcel was too far back, needing to move up again which cost too much energy. As we are racing at the highest level it is very important for everything to go right. Today was good but not perfect and you need that to win a stage.”