Team LottoNL-Jumbo placed sixth in the first stage of Tirreno-Adriatico today. The team rode the 22.7-kilometre team time trial in Lido di Camaiore to a time of 24'00". BMC Racing won in 23-21 and Damiano Caruso took the first leader’s blue jersey.

"It was a good result to begin the Tirreno-Adriatico," said Sports Director Addy Engels. "It looked good. We lost 40 seconds BMC, but technically it was a good ride. I cannot say that we made an error somewhere. There are a number of GC men ahead of us, but also quite a few behind us. This is therefore a good starting position."

Roglic crashes

Just before the start at 3:30 local time, Primoz Roglic crashed.

"It was bad luck. It was very busy when we rode to the start ramp and suddenly someone opened a car door. I rode into it and cut my finger. I could still start, but after the finish they put five stitches in it.

“The team time trial went well and we rode as hard as we could. Now it's wait and see how I feel tomorrow and hopefully I can fight in the coming days. "

Engels said that his riders remained calm. Roglic took the ramp and they rode the best they could.

"It’s a compliment to the people there and to our riders. It is amazing that the team was able to maintain the focus and was able to deliver a good time trial. Especially since Tirreno-Adriatico is an important goal for Primoz, it is important that he still was able to ride a good team time trial. "

Boom is back

Lars Boom is back racing after his crash in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and his DNF in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. "The team time trial felt good,” Boom explained. “It went well, despite the crash of Primoz shortly before the start. I did not see it happen, but I immediately tried to calm him. The doctor helped him quickly and after that we could go full gas in the TTT.”