Theo Bos rewarded his team-mates for their strong lead-out in the opening stage of the Tour Baloise Belgium today with a third place. The sprinter of the Belkin Pro Cycling Team placed behind Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) and André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) in the bunch kick. 

“As a team we rode a strong final. I was dropped off perfectly and I felt strong, but Tom was just too fast,” said Bos, who triumphed in the World Ports Classic last weekend. “Of course, I would have liked to do better, but this was all I could today so I have to be satisfied with that.” 
 

The Belkin Pro Cycling Team train was continuously at the front of the pack in the closing kilometres of the stage between Lochristi and Buggenhout. Under the red flag of the final kilometre, a small hole opened up between the green and black train and the first few riders. Barry Markus expertly closed the gap, however. 

"Theo wouldn’t have been in the position to sprint if Barry didn’t do that, so that was great,” said Sports Director Michiel Elijzen. “All the men did what they had to do. Theo ends up losing to Boonen and Greipel, but there’s no shame in that. I can’t be upset as we didn’t do anything wrong in the lead-out.” 
 

In tomorrow’s 170-kilometre stage between Lierde and Knokke-Heist, only the first part is hilly. The remainder of the second stage is almost flat and so Elijzen and Bos expect another bunch kick.

“We will finish on a local lap along the coast around Knokke so the wind will be an important factor, but a sprint is likely,” said Elijzen. 

“We’re going to give it another go tomorrow”, said Bos. “A new day brings new opportunities. Hopefully, this time I can finish off the good work of my team-mates.”