Team LottoNL-Jumbo finished in the middle of the results sheet in the opening Tirreno-Adriatico team time trial today. The Dutch team lost 38 seconds to winner BMC Racing in the 22.7-kilometre stage along Lido di Camaiore’s coast. BMC’s Daniel Oss took the first leader’s blue jersey.

“The result isn’t great, but good enough,” sports director Jan Boven said after the team time trial.

Team LottoNL-Jumbo lost Enrico Battaglin early in the day when his saddle sank too low into his frame. Just before the halfway point, Timo Roosen was distanced.

“We missed those two riders on our way back to the finish. The time trial was two straight 10-kilometre parts. On the return, we had headwind. That part was about fighting. We did that well, but with two more riders, we could have made the difference.”

Big effort

Moreno Hofland played an important role. “I was feeling good,” the sprinter said. “But everyone was quite strong. We were unlucky with losing Enrico. Those little things make a big difference in a team time trial. Timo had to deliver a big effort and may have done a little bit too much. It’s a pity and we missed them on our return.”

The organiser planned a tough stage for Thursday with a 18% hill near the finish line. “It’s really going to be hard,” Boven said. “It’s a long stage with a tough final. I’m very familiar with the area we’re crossing tomorrow and I promise that it will be difficult. We want to deliver Primoz Roglic to the finish as well as possible. It will be interesting to see if Enrico recovered from his crash in Strade Bianche.”