Belkin hoped that Lars Petter Nordhaug would mix it up with the best in today's queen stage of the Vuelta a Espana. However, the Norwegian was far off the pace and the team will now focus on stage wins in the remaining part of the race.
Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM couldn't match the top riders in the explosive, uphill finale at The Tumble in the third stage at the Tour of Britain on Tuesday. Bram Tankink and Lars-Petter Nordhaug led Belkin with 28th and 29th, respectively, at 1:18 behind race-winner and new leader, Edoardo Zardini (Bardiani-CSF).
"The stage did not go as we hoped," said Belkin Sports Director Jan Boven. "It's a short story. We tried, but we were not good enough."
The 179.9km hilly stage featured a decisive uphill climb of about 5km that shook up the overall standings. Team Belkin was playing its cards to be at the front on the uphill battle.
"We knew that Omega Pharma-Quick Step and Team Sky would control the stage, so we did not try to put a rider into a breakaway. We knew it would all come down to the final climb," Boven said. "The uphill finishes always tell the truth. The strongest rider always wins. We tried, but it was not good enough today."
With the GC hopes all but dashed in Tuesday's stage, Belkin will now turn its attention toward winning a stage. That was the team's goal when the race started Sunday. Another hilly stage on narrow roads is on tap for Wednesday's 184.6km fourth stage to Bristol.
"Maybe it's good for us, because now we can try to get into some breakaways, and try to win a stage," Boven said. "Tomorrow is a good breakaway stage. From now on, we will take it stage to stage, make a plan each morning, and try to win a stage. It will not be easy, but I think we are good enough to do it."
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