Co-captain Michael Mørkøv reported great shape after crossing the finish line of Scheldeprijs out of contention for the win due to a massive pile-up that struck the front of the pack in the final sprint. Both of the team’s captains Mørkøv and Trusov were dragged down as the sprinters detonated towards the line. Only 12 riders escaped from the crash, where Alexander Kristoff went on to win.
 
A massive crash at the front of the pack sprinting for glory threw a spanner in the works for Tinkoff-Saxo and the team’s chances at the Belgian one-day race Scheldeprijs. After more than 199km of racing, team aces Michael Mørkøv and Nikolay Trusov were dragged down in a big pile-up, as they initiated the sprint for the line. For Michael Mørkøv the disappointment was just as big as the relief of escaping unharmed.
 
“It's a huge disappointment to race well for 200km and then be stopped by a crash 300 meters before the finish. The race went very well, it was an easy one with nice weather and we could take it a bit more relaxed than the past races. Both Nikolay and I tried to go for the sprint and we were in a very good position, thanks to the hard work by all our teammates who helped us in the last kilometers”, says Michael Mørkøv and continues:
 
“Unfortunately, we were both involved in the crash but on the positive side, I didn't suffer any injuries. I felt really well today. I had a sensation that I hadn't felt in quite some time now and that added even further to my disappointment. I had very good legs, I was ready to go for the sprint but the pile-up put an abrupt end to that”.

After catching the long breakaway of the day, Peter Sagan rode in support of Tinkoff-Saxo’s designated sprinters Michael Mørkøv and Nikolay Trusov, who were delivered at the front of the pack before the sprint. Eventually, it was Katusha’s Alexander Kristoff, who sealed Scheldeprijs in front of Edward Theuns (Topsport Vlaanderen) after 200 fast and flat kilometers of racing in Northern Flanders.
 
Of Tinkoff-Saxo’s seven riders, Nikolay Trusov was affected the most by the crash as he hit the deck at high speed. Fortunately, the strong Russian didn't incur any serious injuries. Team DS Tristan Hoffman explains the situation.
 
“It truly is a pity that the crash took place in the final sprint. We raced all day in the front and stayed out of trouble, especially in the many turns that this parcours has. Trusov was in a good position for the sprint, seventh or eighth, but with the huge crash in front of him it was impossible to brake or go around. He went full speed over the handlebars but he doesn't seem to be too bad. I was shocked when I saw the crash and I feared for the worst but, fortunately, we got away without any serious trouble”, says Tristan Hoffman, who now, while breathing a sigh of relief, looks ahead to the “Queen of the Classics” Paris-Roubaix:
 
"The focus is now on Sunday and the Paris-Roubaix. The guys looked good today, and they were in the front during the race showing good signs. They also rode their Roubaix bikes and we are ready for the Queen of the Classics”.