LAMPRE-MERIDA did not achieve a top result in the first stage of the Eneco Tour. The first blue-fuchsia-green rider to cross the finish line in Bolsward was Roberto Ferrari in 14th.

The Italian sprinter had received the role of captain and in the approach to the sprint he was in the front positions following Greipel. Unfortuntaley, just 500m from the Dutch finish line, he had to brake to avoid hitting another rider. The bunch was riding at full speed so he lost his position.

Ferrari tried to come back , but he could not obtain more than the 14th place. The sprint was won by Viviani ahead Van Poppel, Drucker and Greipel.

"My regret is double, because first of all I had the opportunity to the be captain of the team in a sprint after I had worked with satisfaction in the lead-out trains for my team mates during the season," Ferrari explained. "I could not exploit this chance and I'm even more upset because I was in a good position with 500m to go, just before I had to brake to avoid hitting a rival."