Marcel Kittel and Ramon Sinkeldam raced to 13th and 18th on the prologue of the Ster ZLM Toer. With an average speed of 51km/h, Roger Kluge took the victory.

The 29th Ster ZLM Toer GP Jan van Heeswijk opened with a 6.4km prologue in the city of Goes. For Team Giant-Alpecin Marcel Kittel was the fastest at 13th, hitting an average speed of almost 50 km/h.

In 7’30” Roger Kluge (IAM Cycling) was the fastest and took the win. The complete top-10 finished within 10″ from Kluge, as he will be the first leader in the Dutch/Belgian stage race.

"I feel good," Kittel told Sporza. "I can't say more than that. This is my penultimate race  before the Tour. After the Tour I will  do the German championships. Here I want to concentrate on becoming stronger and better. I felt all right in Cologne, here I want to have  the same good feeling. I see two or three sprint opportunities. It will be a tough race, but I will  concentrate on the sprint work."

Coach Marc Reef after the stage explained: “It were difficult circumstances with the strong wind, especially during the last part. The guys went full gas but had difficulties with the last 800m. Four of us finished within 20″ from the winner, so margins remain small.

“Tomorrow’s stage should not be underestimated with the crosswinds and the narrow roads, it can be an entertaining race and we need to be alert.”