As expected, Zdenek Stybar was unable to hold onto the leader's jersey in today's Eneco Tour time trial but defended himself well. Now in 5th overall, the Czech is still confident as he expects the hard weekend to make a big difference.
Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team riders Zdenek Stybar and Niki Terpstra moved to 5th and 7th in thw GC after the 9.6km Stage 3 ITT of Eneco Tour on Wednesday. Terpstra was the top OPQS finisher in the time trial, placing 12th.
Stybar and Terpstra are 12" and 18" down on new race leader Lars Boom, who finished the time trial with a time of 11'14".
Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Shimano) won the stage with a time of 10 minutes and 55 seconds. Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) finished 2nd, and Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) 3rd.
Stybar was the race leader after a Stage 2 victory on Tuesday.
OPQS looks next to 183.3km Stage 4, from Koksijde to Ardooie, on Thursday. It's the final flat stage of Eneco Tour.
"I actually felt pretty OK today," Stybar said after his performance. "Dumoulin is in really good shape and deserves this victory. I think he'll also be a guy to watch in these next days.
"We'll have to see how we can adjust to Boom as the new leader and Dumoulin in 2nd. Both are strong guys. But we also have a very strong team and the weekend can still make a big difference."
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