Moreno Hofland could not do better than ninth today in Tirreno-Adriatico when the bunch galloped to the finish in Monalto di Castro. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s sprinter was stuck leading to the stage three sprint in southern Italy together with Tom Van Asbroeck. Fernando Gaviria (Etixx-Quick Step) won the day.

“The peloton marked the escape at a closer range than we expected,” Sports Director Jan Boven said after the race. “The preparation for the sprint was very hectic because of that. We were on the wrong side in the penultimate turn, so we were stuck. Tom Van Asbroeck and Moreno Hofland had to work from 25th position afterwards.”

That turn to the left...

The plan was to have at least three riders with the first 15 at two kilometres to go, but when Mike Teunissen lost contact with Van Asbroeck and Hofland, that did not happen. “With 1400 metres to go, there was a turn to the left,” Hofland said. “We had to make a move there to reach the first ten riders, but we lost contact. We weren’t able to do our thing and lost many places in the pack. Our chances disappeared already there actually.”

On Saturday, the riders face a tough stage in Tirreno-Adriatico. “It has a hard final, with some tough climbs, one after other,” Boven added. “We have to make our plan for the final during the race itself. The most important thing is to finish in the first group with Primoz Roglic. Enrico Battaglin might go for his chances as well.”