Today Robert Gesink did his first WorldTour race after his surgery and he would clearly have preferred a gentler introduction. The first stage of the Tour de Pologne turned into chaos due to slippery conditions and the Dutchman believes that the UCI should have intervened.

The first stage of the Tour de Pologne Sunday turned out to be a chaotic ride. A storm swept through the first stage and wrecked havoc on the peloton, including the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM. 

"There was true chaos today at times. There were trees on the road and at times, it was very slippery and seemed as if there was soap on the roads,” said Sports Director Michiel Elijzen. 

“Lars Petter Nordhaug suffered a nasty cut because of a crash. David Tanner fell on the tarmac twice, but luckily without any serious damage. Rick Flens was involved in three incidents, but didn’t crash, and was chasing down the peloton for a long time. The rest didn’t encounter anything major.” 
 

Robert Gesink rode his first race since the Dutch nationals and got through the day well despite the hectic circumstances.

“The weather forecast said there would be sun and I got on the bike with the idea of an easy re-entry, but I ended up racing at 100%. However, I still feel fresh.” 
 

Gesink explained how the stage was a matter of survival.

“If you came out of corner and stood up, your rear wheel slipped in all directions. I deliberately positioned myself at the front of the peloton so I could keep an eye on the mess. I tried to start corners from the inside so that if someone crashed he wouldn’t bring me down with him.

"I think the UCI should have intervened, it was dangerous. You cannot expect the riders to do that, but then the other teams have their interests.” 

Yauheni Hutarovich (AG2R) won the the 226-kilometre stage in Bydgoszcz with Belkin’s Theo Bos crossed 14th. 

“Theo had to start the local laps in the last spots because of a certain manoeuvre. It took him until the last lap to return to the front. That’s why he was too tired to really get in the mix,” said Elijzen. 

“Tomorrow is another long and flat stage. We’re going to try again with Theo. If the wind picks up again, it could get just as hectic as today.”