Twelve seconds behind winner Jonathan Milan, Thomas Gloag was the highest-ranked rider of Team Visma | Lease a Bike in the centre of the German Schweinfurt. Tim van Dijke, normally a specialist in short prologues, returned from an injury and could not join the battle for the day's victory. "That's a shame of course, but a victory for Tim was not expected here either. He is making his comeback to racing after two months”, sports director Robert Wagner says.

The sports director saw Johannes Staune-Mittet drop out this morning due to fever. "That is a big loss for the rest of the week. Johannes is a strong rider who we could have used well in the coming stages.” However, Wagner is enthusiastic about the presence of Dario Belletta and Jørgen Nordhagen. “As a team, we have the opportunity to give such riders a taste of the big work in these types of races. That is only a good thing. Here in Germany, Dario and Jørgen can compete at a higher level than they are used to.”

It is the first time Nordhagen has made his appearance on the World Tour team. “Despite the fact that the course is only three kilometers, it was incredibly tough”, says the nineteen-year-old rider. I tried my hardest and am very happy with my prologue. We will see how the week goes. Today is a great first experience for me.”

From 2025, the Norwegian will switch from the Development Team to the World Tour formation of Team Visma | Lease a Bike. “I am in good shape and want to contribute here in Germany and see what is possible as a team. I am looking forward to the rest of the week and the coming months. Personally, it is important that I finish the season well”, Nordhagen concludes.