2014 Australian time trial Champion Michael Hepburn finished the fourth stage of the Eneco Tour in 9th place after a strong ride over the 14km course, which was won by Jos Van Emden (TLJ) in a time of 16.34. Just 21 seconds adrift of the winner, the result means Hepburn is also lying 9th in the GC standings.

Orica-GreenEDGE opened proceedings in the Dutch town of Hoogerheide with Leigh Howard first out of the start ramp, followed closely by Jens Mouris who put in a good performance, just 43 seconds off the winner. Canadian Svein Tuft also put in strong ride for the team, 34 seconds adrift of Van Emden and finishing in 20th position.               

Jens Keukeleire, who is looking for a GC result, was 1 minute 9 seconds away from the winner and will now look ahead to tomorrow to make his impact on the race.

“We were really happy with Michael (Hepburn)’s performance, and although there were a few things he would have liked to have done better, he was pretty pleased with his ride,” said sport director Laurenzo Lapage to the Orica website. “The day went as we would have expected it to, although I thought Svein (Tuft) could have gone a little better.

“Tomorrow we expect things to change completely. I think it will be a nervous course, with many of the local riders knowing the roads well. It will be impossible to control the race and we have to be really careful with the breakaway.

“We will have to try and join the break, but whatever happens the race will change a lot and we will be looking for Jens (Keukeleire) to move up the rankings.”

Tomorrow’s stage is like a mini Amstel Gold Race, starting in the Belgian city of Riemst and finishing in the Dutch city of Sitaard-Geelen. The 180km stage will start to shape the overall GC standings.