Team LottoNL-Jumbo chased behind the main action in the Tour of Flanders today in Belgium. The team in yellow and black was caught off guard when the peloton went to pieces on the Muur.

Belgian Philippe Gilbert won the 101st edition solo, the team’s Bram Tankink led the team home in the peloton in 58th.

"We had planned to ride the final with four men, who were on equal strength in our opinion," said sports director Jan Boven. "We never arrived in the final.

“After a small crash on the Kanarieberg, Lars Boom was in the wrong group and if the peloton doesn’t stop racing, you are no longer in the race."

The team’s goal was to get ahead early in the main escape of the day. It went from the gun, but the team missed the move.  The leaders caught that move with 80 kilometres to race and Gilbert went solo.

“This continues a bad spring, but now we are working towards Paris-Roubaix,” said Boven. “We are convinced that we can do better there."

‘Disappointing’

"For me, it’s disappointing, and also for the team,” said Gijs Van Hoecke. “We were too far behind when a crash split the peloton, we never came back at the front.

"We should have sat at the front on the Kwaremont climb and we were not there. If not, it makes it difficult to even join the race. The race started early and at that time, we were not in front. We chased all day and never participate in the real race. "

Jos van Emden crashed early in the race and pulled out.

"A rider in front of me hit his brakes unexpectedly, I could not avoid him," said Van Emden. “I have much pain in my ribs. They are probably bruised, but I need further checks."

He changed bikes and continued, joining the group again.

"But I could no longer pull on my handlebars, so that meant my race was over."