ORICA-GreenEDGE finished the third day of the Eneco Tour in the main pack, and will now turn their thoughts to tomorrow’s time trial, as Tom Boonen (EQS) took the sprint win after another hectic finish on the 172km flat stage.

The fast, flat but twisty stage was windier than previous days, but that didn’t make the finish any less frantic, as riders jostled for position ahead of the finish line.

Despite a crucial move to the front by Magnus Cort, Leigh Howard and JensKeukeleire with 3km to go, Orica Green-EDGE couldn’t stay in that position as the pack raced to the last corner, having to settle with a finish in the main peloton as the stage concluded.

“We are happy that we have come through the first three days unscathed,” said Sport Director Laurenzo Lapage. “Apart from Leigh Howard’s crash yesterday, which wasn’t bad, we are happy that we can go into day four without too much damage.

“Today was another hectic finish, and as you saw with Lotto (Soudal) losing Greipel, it was hard for the guys to stay together. They just lost each other in the last 2.5km

“We can now refocus ahead of tomorrow and we will be going out there looking for a result in the time trial. The course doesn’t seem too technical, and it could be a chance for Sam Bewley. We will check the course out in the morning and see what we think.”

For Belgian rider Jens Keukeleire who is looking for a GC result, is still very much in contention ahead of stage four, just 15 seconds adrift of leader Jesper Asselmann (ROP).

Tomorrow’s stage is a time trial around Hoogerheide. The 14km course twists around the Dutch city as the GC riders start to try and make their mark on the Tour.