Jos van Emden finished second in the final time trial of Tirreno-Adriatico today in San Benedetto del Tronto. Winner Rohan Dennis came home three seconds faster than the Dutch TT-specialist. Primoz Roglic retained his fourth place in the classification behind race winner Colombian Nairo Quintana.

"When you're so close, you just want to win. I'm very disappointed," Van Emden said. He also lost the Eneco Tour time trial last year to Dennis. "It's the second time that I’ve missed a WorldTour victory because Dennis is faster."

Just after 14:00 local time, Jos van Emden started his time trial of 10 kilometres around San Benedetto del Tronto’s seaside. After 4.4 kilometres, Van Emden time was 4-47. Dennis was a second faster at that check. Team-mate Roglic recorded the same time as Van Emden.

On the line, the clock stopped at 11-21 and Van Emden sat in the hot seat for around an hour. It was exciting until the last riders. With only three riders to go, Dennis ended Van Emden’s dream of a WorldTour win.

"I didn’t constantly look at the TV screen. I really don’t like it. When you see all those times, you’re just nervous. I've never been that nervous. It really sucks."

Primoz Roglic fifth in TT

On the line, Primoz Roglic recorded 11-29, the fifth best time. In the overall, the Slovenian finished fourth, 45 seconds behind winner Quintana.

"I'm happy with my performance, but also the performance of the team. We've done a good job to finish fourth. We can be proud of it. "

Roglic particularly wanted to go for the stage today. "I looked forward to this stage. Every day I have to work hard for the GC, but today, I was focussed on the stage win. My main goal in such a time trial is to race ten kilometres as hard as I can. I did it today."

Sports Director Addy Engels added, "Van Emden rode a great time trial, he did nothing wrong. It is very honest but sour. That’s my mood in this moment.

"We have to be realistic. It's a good result to be fourth with Primoz Roglic. The gap behind him was more exciting than the gap to the front. We didn’t expect him to move up the overall, but you never know. He rode a very good time trial."