On the first day of the world championships cycling in Ponferrada the team time trial took place. On the 57.1 kilometer route, it seemed to be a strive between the titleholder Omega Pharma-Quick.Step and challengers Orica, BMC and Sky.

The more kilometers passed, the more it became clear that BMC was in pole position for the golden medal. At the finish line, the team of big boss Andy Rihs was 32 seconds ahead of Orica-GreenEdge and 36 seconds ahead of Omega Pharma-Quick.Step. Lotto Belisol didn't do well in this team time trial and ended at the 22nd place.

"We didn't ride a good team time trial. Becoming 22nd and being preceded by a few Pro Continental teams isn't good, but our guys couldn't go faster. I had the impression that the riders who rode the Vuelta, weren't recovered enough. Pim had to let go a few times quickly, Adam wasn't good, and Vegard also had a rough time,” Sports Director Herman Frison said.

“Lars Bak was the strongest of the team, but we had to make sure that we stayed together with enough riders on these hilly roads. It is true that we didn't start with our best time trial specialists. But this was a conscious choice to let riders like Gallopin, Wellens and Greipel prepare themselves for the road race next Sunday,” Frison said.