Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s riders raced their first event of season together on Sunday in the People's Choice Classic. Giant-Alpecin’s Marcel Kittel won the 51-kilometre warm-up for the Tour Down Under from a bunch sprint. Barry Markus, 16th, was the best placed rider in black and yellow in Adelaide.

“All of the riders were a little bit nervous at the start. The opening was very fast. After that, things calmed down in the peloton”, said Sports Director Frans Maassen. “However, it was an easy lap and everyone came through it well. There were no crashes. It was a good opener for the season. We can start fresh in the Tour Down Under on Tuesday.”

Team LottoNL-Jumbo began the race with George Bennett, who already had a race in his legs for 2015. Bennett participated in the New Zealand national championships last Sunday and finished fifth. Maassen was pleased with the start in Adelaide, Australia, but thought that there could have been more in it for Barry Markus.

“Winning the race would’ve probably been too difficult because Giant-Alpecin did a great job today, but a close finish could have been possible. Barry was feeling fine. He chose his own way in the final, but in the end, he was just too far behind. For him, it would have been nice to finish in the top ten because next week, there won’t be that many opportunities for him.”