Without one of the top sprinters or race favourites in their ranks, Trek have entered the Tour of California with an open mindset. Yesterday the team helped split the peloton and despite some bad luck came away with fifth for young sprinter Danny Van Poppel.

The wind made for a nervous start to the Amgen Tour of California. Trek Factory Racing played a smart tactic in the final stages of the 198-kilometer race and helped cause a dangerous selection of 15 riders, with Danny van Poppel, Jasper Stuyven and Markel Irizar all making the front group. 

“I knew that a good place to make an attack was after kilometer 137 because it was really open with crosswinds,” said director Alain Gallopin, explaining the team’s tactic in the last part of the race. “We made a good attack with BMC and Quickstep was also on the front. We had three guys there, including Danny, but we missed some luck when Danny flatted out of this group."

Missing out on the split Cannondale and Garmin-Sharp led a frenzied chase and with 23 kilometers to go all was back together.  On the finish circuits it was evident that a bunch sprint was in order, and it was Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) edging out John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) in a photo finish.

Markel Irizar helped place 20-year old Danny van Poppel in good position for the final sprint and he came across the line just behind Belkin’s Moreno Hofland in third, and Peter Sagan (Cannondale) in fourth.

“There was a lot of wind, and it was nervous in the beginning,” explained van Poppel. “Near the end we had 15-20 riders with three of us there, and that looked good. Then I punctured and I thought it was over. But the peloton caught the front group and then Markel helped me in the circuits. I was pretty tired, so I was happy that I could sprint today after how I felt by the finish.”

Matthew Busche echoed that the windy day caused a jittery start, and he was happy to finish in the same time as the peloton after the near-crashes and suffering a flat tire in the crosswind section.

“It was nervous start,” agreed Matthew Busche. “Wind was on everyone’s mind. We knew there was going to be a crosswind, and we were trying to be ready. But I messed that up a little, then had some bad luck with almost crashing, a flat tire - I hope that is everything [bad] that happens in the race.”

“With the team we have we need to try something everyday," added Gallopin," We have a good team here, but we are also focusing on the Giro [d’Italia]; we are not one of the favorite teams here. But when Matthew Busche flatted, he showed in coming back to the peloton that he is strong. He should be good in going for the overall GC.”