Laurens Ten Dam had made the Tour of California his first big goal of the season but he got his race off to a very bad start when he was hit by Markel Irizar shortly after the finish line in yesterday's stage 2 time trial. The Dutchman crashed and brought to an end a mixed day for Belkin that saw a reinvigorated Jack Bobridge finish in the top 10 and Lars Boom finish outside the top 60.

Jack Bobridge led the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM on Monday, finishing sixth in the Stage 2 time trial of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California. The Australian completed the 20.1-kilometre course, which started and finished in Folsom, famous for its federal prison, in 24 minutes and 23 seconds. Team Sky's Sir Bradley Wiggins was the fastest rider of the bunch with a 23-18. Thanks to his winning time, the Brit became the race's new leader of the overall classification. 

Bobridge was delighted with his sixth place.

“The team and me wanted to be in the top 10 today, and I’m glad I succeeded. The course was really suitable to me, I must say. Right from the start, I went full throttle, and I’m glad I was able to keep a steady pace. We did a recon on the course, so I knew it was important to keep a high speed on the descents.” 

The 24-year-old Australian, with Belkin since the beginning of 2013, said he feels very good at the moment and looks forward to the remainder of the race through California, Belkin's home.

“Since I joined the team, I’ve never felt so strong.” 

Lars Boom wasn’t able to get in the mix. The Dutchman ended up disappointed with 63rd place. “

I just didn’t have the power today,” the Dutchman said with a sad face. “I just didn’t have the right feeling. I really wanted to do well today, so I’m pretty upset. As a team, we targeted this time trial and we prepared as well as we could.” 

Laurens ten Dam clocked the 41st-fastest time in Folsom. Just past the finish line, however, there was some concern about the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM's captain after the Dutchman hit the tarmac hard, Markel Irizar having crashed into him. Ten Dam suffered numerous abrasions. 

“We’d hoped to end up in the top 20 with Laurens,” said Sports Director Nico Verhoeven. “Now, it looks like he’s out of the GC battle. Tomorrow, we’re facing the queen stage. We have to wait and see how Laurens gets through the night after his crash.” 

Verhoeven looked back with mixed feelings on the second day of the Amgen Tour of California. 

“Jack obviously did well. He was in the top three for a long time and with his sixth place he showed signs of the old Bobridge. Lars, however, experienced that he just wasn’t good enough today.”