Andrea Palini is riding his final race in Lampre-Merida colours at the Tour of Hainan. Looking for a new team, the Italian got the race off to a solid start when he finished second on the opening stage.

There were lots of blue-fuchsia-green jerseys near the front in the sprint at the end of the 1st stage of the Tour of Hainan (Chenmgai-Chenmgai, 85.4 km) but Moreno Hofland (Belkin) took the victory. Even though Lampre-Merida were left without a ictory, the team ahieved several prominent results as Andrea Palini was 2nd, Niccolo Bonifazio 4th and Roberto Ferrari 6th.

At the end of a very short stage, Palini had the chance to get his revenge against Hofland who had beaten him into second twice at the Tour of Utah. In China, the order was the same and Palini had to settle for second.

"It was not easy finding the right kick in such a short stage after a very long journey to Hainan," he said. "The sprint was launched and I was on Hofland's wheel but I could not pass him. Belkin is an organized team, but Lampre-Merida is a good team too. In fact we have a lot of quality.

“I’m up for contract and looking for a new team as Lampre-Merida will not keep me for next year. So I want to expose myself a little bit more than I usually do as I’m used to work hard for the team, either in the mountains or in the lead out for sprinters. I’m satisfied with my result today.

"Hofland will not be the only rider to win stages at this Tour of Hainan. Belkin has a great team here but they aren’t unbeatable. No one is unbeatable in cycling. Even the greatest champions have been beaten. Maybe with a better organization and everyone working towards a unique goal, we’ll beat them. We’ve suffered the jet lag since we arrived from Europe but we’re at the same level as them.”