The Mallorca Challenge, a series of four races, opened with a 175.5-kilometer race on Thursday.  Matteo Pelucchi (IAM) won the sprint finish that was a calm affair until just over 38 kilometers to go when an increased pace into a section of crosswind briefly jolted the peloton into a flurry of action that continued to the finish line.

Danny van Poppel avoided a late crash and sprinted to a solid fifth place, but it was the show of team unity at the end that had all the riders and director Adriano Baffi smiling after the race.

“Steegmans told me, and [Fabian] Cancellara also said, that the team today was something special. We planned to be together, to meet, with five kilometers to go and everybody was there,” explained Baffi.

“Our train was working very well," he continued, "but was a bit destroyed with the crash. I can’t say what other teams were involved, but what I saw at the end was that we were in the first positions controlling with team Sky and that was nice to see!”

As Trek Factory Racing led the peloton in the closing kilometers they battled Team Sky in the fight for positioning and control. All was to plan until a crash inside three kilometers disrupted the team’s lead out and took down Gert Steegmans. It was not what Steegmans envisioned to begin a new season with his new team, but fortunately he came through unscathed and was able to remount and make it to the finish.

“Gert crashed with three to go, but he seems to be okay. He sat behind the car and I brought him to the bus. His knee is a bit scraped, but he was able to turn his legs,”added Baffi. “I think he will be fine.”

The day began with a two-man break that escaped in the early going but the duo posed no danger, and inside 25 kilometers to go the peloton was back to one large group.

"The result could be better, but for me what we showed today was really good. The potential was there, and when you have a crash like that, it’s just unfortunate."

There was potential for wind to blow the race to pieces but in the end a 100-strong bunch rushed into the final kilometers. Despite the early season, and a peloton still with rusty winter legs, the sprint was blistering fast, a race is race after all, and the 2015 season is off and rolling in Europe.

“There was wind but we were on a circuit and it only was for a section of around five kilometers. It was not enough to make a selection,” ended Baffi. “The result could be better, but for me what we showed today was really good. The potential was there, and when you have a crash like that, it’s just unfortunate.”

Tomorrow the Mallorca Challenge continues with its second race that ends with a climb to the finish and should suit the fast legs of Fabio Felline and an on-form Bauke Mollema.