Team Giant-Shimano was one of just two ProTeams in their home race Volta Limburg Classic but the team failed to come away with the goods. In fact, only two riders, Lawson Craddock and Thomas Damuseau, finished the race and they got their race-winning opportunities destroyed by a late crash.

Team Giant-Shimano came out empty handed from the Volta Limburg Classic today after a tough day in the saddle. Thomas Damuseau rode a strong race, getting in the right moves but was foiled by a crash in the final kilometres ruining his chances of a result.

With a young team in the race the goal was to go on the attack with the aim of learning and developing, and then riding well as a team.

After several breakaway attempts throughout the day, the race eventually came down to a sprint from a much reduced front group, where Moreno Hofland (Belkin) was the fastest.

Team Giant-Shimano coach, Rudi Kemna said:

“The plan from the off was to go on the attack and see how the guys got on.

“Thomas was strong to get into the first real move of the day but this didn’t last. Thierry Hupond wasn’t feeling himself and decided to pull out, while Cheng Ji, Chad Haga and Jonas Ahlstrand lasted until 150km before they lost contact with the front group."