Moreno Hofland finished fourth in the first stage of the Arctic Sea Race today in Rognan, Norway. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s sprinter was beaten by winner Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), John Degenkolb (Giant - Alpecin) and Danny van Poppel (Team Sky). Tom Van Asbroeck made the breakaway and took points to wear the mountain jersey.

“It was a tough day with quite a hard climb in the final part of the race,” Sports Director Frans Maassen said. “It wasn’t clear that the stage was going to end up in a bunch sprint, so we decided to ride aggressively today.”

“Tom Van Asbroeck was part of the breakaway and he got some space. He reached the top of the final climb in front of the peloton, but it wasn’t enough to hold them off. He grabbed the most mountain points on the other hand, and won 500 kilograms of salmon.”

Back to the wheels

“After the final climb, we were at the finish line quickly,” Moreno Hofland said. “The roads twisted and turned often, and I lost Sep Vanmarcke’s wheel in that chaos. Dennis van Winden came to me afterwards and brought me back to the wheels of the sprinters. I was in Danny van Poppel’s wheel, but I wasn’t strong enough to pass him in the end.”

Moreno Hofland probably will have another shot on Friday. “Tomorrow’s stage seems to be easier than today’s,” Maassen added. “The breakaway might have a chance, but I’m expecting the race to end up in a bunch sprint. We want to lead out Moreno as good as possible.”