Team LottoNL-Jumbo finished well in the first testing road stage of the 2015 Giro d’Italia. Leader Steven Kruijswijk finished in Sestri Levante in the first group with all the favourites, led by Australian Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) for the stage win in the leader’s pink jersey. Bert-Jan Lindeman lost his blue mountain jersey and moved to sixth place in the classification.   

The short stage was a hard one on paper. With a second category climb in the final, the main favourites could test their legs. Early in the stage, Lindeman attacked and was part of a large front group.   

“Bert-Jan tried in the beginning of the stage to get away,” team manager, Jan Boven said. “He had that freedom, but soon a different situation emerged and the race became a knockout race on the tough course. The main task of our men was to bring Steven Kruijswijk safely to the finish and we succeeded. Martijn Keizer stayed there until the last climb with Kruijswijk, who finished in the first group.”   

Kruijswijk finished 36th in Sestri Levante and lost no time in the general classification. He holds 38th spot at 46 seconds behind leader Michael Matthews.   

“It was a good day,” said Kruijswijk. “Short and very intensive. Team Tinkoff-Saxo pushed the pace hard. My job was to follow and not to consume too much energy. Martijn guided me through all the important points and dropped me off in a good position. I’m satisfied. It was a tough stage. On Wednesday, we have our first uphill finish, so it’s nice to do well today on a hard day."   

“Tuesday is another day with a lot of climbing,” Boven continued. “It will be hectic because there will be much tossing and turning. Kruijswijk is our first priority. Moreno [Hofland]will be free to see how far he can get on the hilly course to La Spezia.”