Yesterday, Peter Sagan showed some few signs of weakness when Geraint Thomas (Sky) and Niki Terpstra (OPQS) attacked, but he managed to fight himself back to the front and took a decisive win. The defending champion Fabian Cancellara of Trek crashed out of the race before the climb of Paterberg. Here are more reacitons:

AG2R La Mondiale DS Julien Jurdie whose best rider was Yauheni Hutarovich (22nd +03:14):

“There was a good team spirit even though we didn’t obtain significant results. We have to underline the presence of Maxime (Daniel) in the breakaway. He spent the most part of the day at the front, which can be beneficial to him. Unfortunately, a big crash happened at a strategic time, about forty kilometres from the finish line. None of our riders have been injured but they were hampered, then it was difficult to put things on the right track against cobblestones’ specialists. The best riders are at the front and there are really no regrets to have. The group is in a good shape and I hope that these efforts will pay off Sunday on Gent-Wevelgem.”

Astana rider Dmitriy Gruzdev who did not finish the race:

“I came up into one crash but I kept my head and avoided any damage – Gavazzi and Ruslan both had bad days – they bounced hard, but there’s nothing you could do.”

“Borut is the leader, he’s our strongest, but it’s not easy to celebrate when the breakaway stays away – we want to get him in the right place to win the whole race.”

Katusha Team DS Gennady Mikhaylov whose best rider was Luca Paolini (13th +01:19):

“Today we saw a lot of crashes. Unfortunately, several of Katusha’s riders were involved in it too. We avoided any serious traumas, but anyway, for example Rüdiger Selig and Aliaksandr Kuchynski got some injures. Luca Paolini did a good race, he tried to be in front in every moment, and he kept attacking. What a pity, he missed just a little to bridge to the group of 4 riders, who attacked there. Luca showed a really good shape. So, I hope in the next races Katusha will see some results.”

Tinkoff-Saxo rider Michael Mørkøv who finished 23rd +03:14:

“I was feeling really strong throughout the entire race and at the moment of the crash I was in the back of the group and obviously that cost me a spot in the finale. That’s cycling and sometimes you’re struck by these kinds of mishaps but I’m confident in terms of form and I’m now looking forward to Sunday’s Gent-Wevelgem where my goal is to be in the mix for the top-10.”

MTN-Qhubeka rider Ignatas Konovalovas who finished 18th +01:19:

“The race in general was very nervous with lots of crashes, even at the front of the peloton. As we saw that we had lost Gerald to a crash I took responsibility because I personally I was feeling very strong today."

"I made a slight mistake on the Kwaremont when I reacted too late to the move in front and had to use all of my energy there to get back. I am happy with my performance and we have some nice races coming up like on Sunday, the Gent-Wevelgem where we will ride for Gerald.”

MTN-Qhubeka rider Jay Thomson who finished 53rd +03:19:

“It was a pity I had a bad moment at the wrong time on the Paterberg. It could have been possible to make the front group as well but in the end, it was a good day.”

MTN-Qhubeka DS Jens Zemke whose best rider was Ignatas Konovalovas (18th +01:19):

“It was a good day. First Jay made a fantastic move to bridge over to the 4 leaders. From 20km till 160km Jay was in the lead and had a gap of 8 minutes at one stage. Then it was also a nice ride from Ignatas to be up with all the big guys and fighting for a good result. Finally he got cramps but he did an amazing ride today."

"Unfortunately, and once again, Gerald and Andy were involved in a crash. Johann and Songezo waited with them but none of them could make it back and were all out of contention.”

FDJ.fr DS Marc Madiot whose best rider was Yohann Offredo (31st +03:14):

"We're all frustrated. There's been much fighting for us. Yohan finished in the second group in the 30’s (31st), but it is obvious that we expected a much better race from our side. We will try to do it better on Sunday in Gent-Wevelgem, where Arnaud Demare will return to racing. I know that we will do much better."