Tom Van Asbroeck hoped to get in the mix for the win in the first stage of the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen, but the Belgian Team LottoNL-Jumbo cyclist was lucky to reach the line in Harelbeke, Belgium, in one piece.

Van Asbroeck got boxed in the sprint and narrowly avoided a spill. It ruined his chances for the sprint, which was for sixth place. Five attackers remained just ahead of the peloton. Yves Lampaert of Etixx-Quick Step was the fastest of the group and took the win and the leader’s jersey. Van Asbroeck placed 13th.

“The sprint preparation went fine until the penultimate corner,” Van Asbroeck said. “I was on Danny van Poppel’s wheel [Trek Factory Racing, ed.] and was ready to do something. A team-mate of his pushed me to side, however. There was a traffic island, which I was barely able to dodge. Five other riders crashed.”

Stumble Teunissen

Mike Teunissen was less fortunate. The youngster fell halfway through the stage while climbing the Oude Kwaremont when a rider in front of him hit a fence. Teunissen is fine despite the crash.

Sports Director Frans Maassen is expecting a tough race on Sunday. Thanks to a cobblestone section, the local finishing circuit will be difficult.

“Besides that the wind will be a factor,” explained Maassen. “For the riders, it’s all or nothing because there are many with nothing to lose. Tom remains our main man, while we hope to hold on to the sixth place in the overall with Martijn Keizer.”