"Crossing the finish line safely was the most important today", sports director Frans Maassen said. "We did not suffer any damage. That is very nice." On the 164-kilometer opening day in the Basque Country, the spectators had to wait long for some good action. Three riders took advantage of a few minutes on the peloton, but the escapees were caught early. The stage then became increasingly frantic.

"It got hectic in the last forty kilometres. The peloton was still on open roads, and everyone was still fresh, but you knew that there would be a sprint for bonus seconds later", Maassen explained. Rohan Dennis put Jonas Vingegaard in a good position and took two seconds. "We discussed that the sprint could be decisive. The guys performed a great job. I am happy about today."

The longest stage of the six-day race is scheduled for tomorrow. In the north of Spain, the cyclists will encounter five categorized hills. Maassen: "I think tomorrow's stage is similar to today's. I expect a reasonable group to stay together and sprint for the stage win. Of course we want to finish in the front group. We will come up with a good plan for the descent in the final kilometres."