Tinkoff-Saxo’s Michael Rogers finished 10th on the fast 13.9km time trial on day four. The performance puts the co-captain for the GC into 10th overall ahead of three demanding days. Jos Van Emden took the stage win.

Tinkoff-Saxo moves into the GC top ten with Michael Rogers after 13.9km flat, demanding kilometers around Hoogerheide. Sports director Patxi Vila declares himself satisfied with the squad’s performance.

“We weren’t full gas with all the guys but in what concerns Rogers, Valgren, Juul-Jensen and Boaro, we wanted them to give their best. Rogers was super and performed solidly. TT’s are always hard and the parcours wasn’t the best for him. When it all comes down, we’re satisfied with tenth place both on the stage and in the GC, as it clears the way for further improvements during the last three stages. Valgren and Juul-Jensen had exactly the same time and finishes 22nd and 23rd, while Boaro was 36th”, says Patxi Vila and adds:

“If we look to Mick Rogers coming from the Tour and the Giro, he showed that he still has something left in the tank after a long season. For Boaro, today was his first ITT after the Italian Championships and also his first really big effort. Juul-Jensen and Valgren showed that they still have a good shape after Tour of Denmark and they will be important during the next days”.

Jos Van Emden now leads the GC after his TT win with Michael Rogers trailing by 21 seconds. Patxi Vila eyes an opportunity to reach for a top result during the difficult days to come in undulating terrain.

“It’s a fairly nice result but we want to try more during the next stages. We’re in a position, where we don’t have too much to lose and I reckon that we can be competitive tomorrow. Stage 5 is a much like a mini Amstel Gold Race with punchy climbs. We can afford to risk something and we will surely see several teams trying to shake things up”, finishes Patxi Vila.