After Theo Bos had abandoned the race, Belkin put their hopes in Robert Wagner for the sprint in the final stage of the Ster ZLM Toer. Usually known as the loyal domestique, the German did well by sprinting to third.

Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM's Paul Martens ended the Ster ZLM Toer fourth overall and Robert Wagner sprinted to third today behind winner André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) in Boxtel, The Netherlands.

"I'm happy with how it went," Wagner said. "I'm always one of the guys helping Theo Bos, but I'm not a bad sprinter either. It was good to have a go against the guys like Tyler Farrar and André Greipel, and this third place is good. I'm happy with it.”

A crash in the final two kilometres of the 173.7-kilometre stage split the peloton as it barrelled into Boxtel for the finish. Only 15 riders remained to contest the sprint, including Jos van Emden and Paul Martens. Van Emden and Martens delivered Wagner to Greipel's wheel but the German didn't have enough to stop Greipel and Farrar.

"The goal was to work for Robert in the sprint because he's always helping the other guys," Sports Director Michiel Elijzen said. "Maarten Tjallingii and Rick Flens led Robert from five to one kilometre to go and made sure he was out of harm's way. Jos was impressive because he had crashed early in the stage, but was able to keep going and do his job."

Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing) maintained his overall lead and won the overall by 24 seconds on Martens. Tim Wellens (Lotto-Belisol) and Gianni Meersman (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) placed second and third, respectively.
 

The green and black team from the Ster ZLM Toer split and go their separate ways for the next races, including the national championships, Tour de France and in August, the Eneco Tour.

"Just looking at the cold facts, we didn't achieve the goals we had," said Elijzen. "I wanted a stage win. We didn't get it, but it was a strange week, especially the first three days. Afterwards though, we got into the race and Martens and Wagner took two third places, both times beaten by some of the best sprinters."