Having just turned pro with the Wanty-Groupe Gobert team, Boris Dron delivered a solid performance to finish 25th in the Volta ao Algarve time trial, posting the best time for the Belgian team.

"Great result for Dron, he's the second pro continental rider (behind Barta) and rides the 25th best time in the world class field," says sports director Hilaire Van Der Schueren.

"All the differences are quite small. If Antonini, Veuchelen and also Backaert were 20 seconds faster, and they are easily capable of doing that, they would have been up there with Dron.

"Tomorrow will be a hard with 220 kilometers. It's great preparation for the Classics next weekend. With an uphill finish, the top teams Astana, Katusha, Sky and Etixx-QuickStep will battle for victory."