The two-day stage race between Rotterdam and Antwerp started today with a flat part over 195 kilometers. The stage was determined by the wind but finally decided in a bunch sprint. Andrea Guardini (Astana) won ahead of Yauheni Hutarovich (Bretagne Séché) and Kris Boeckmans (Lotto Soudal). Sam Bennett, who won two stages at the Tour of Bavaria at last, wasn’t able to compete for the stage win today. He finished in 10th place. Tomorrow's second part over 164 kilometers brings the peloton back from Antwerp to Rotterdam. Bennett sprinted to 5th in that stage last year.

“A breakaway group went clear early in the race but the field controlled those guys. Nevertheless, the race was very nervous which made it difficult at times. Moreover the wind caused echelons and we had to work quite a lot to get back to the front. Even though we saw many attacks it became obvious that the race will be decided in a bunch sprint and that’s what we focused on. But it didn’t went as planned. Ralf [Matzka] had to abandon the race due to an illness, Christoph [Pfingsten] was ill in the last days and Michael [Schwarzmann] didn’t feel that well. That’s why we only had 5 guys in the finale. But they gave their best and did a good job in preparing the sprint. Unfortunately, Sam lost the wheel, was blocked then and too far back to launch his sprint. Sam and the guys are in top shape and we hope to have a better day tomorrow”, Sport Director Andre Schulze summarizes the day.