A 196 kilometre route awaited the team this afternoon at Omloop van het Houtland, as they took on a mostly flat parcours that finished in the town of Lichtervelde. It was a steady start to the day with an initial five rider break going clear early into the race and with all Team DSM riders in the peloton, focus remained on staying safe and saving energy for the final.

As the laps ticked down, the gap for the breakaway fell but they put up a valiant fight and the catch was only made in the closing five kilometres – while the team moved up ahead of the expected sprint finish. It was a chaotic run-in and a crash split the bunch somewhat, with John Degenkolb making the front selection as things strung out. Giving his all to the line, Degenkolb got up to take a strong fourth place finish in the hectic sprint finale.

Degenkolb said: “Today was another typical Belgian race but without a lot of wind, it made it not as tough and selective as the last races. In the end, our plan was to there with three guys going into the final – with Cees, Sam and I. The original plan was to sprint with Sam and we would lead him out but unfortunately we lost each other in the chaos. Then in the last corner there was a crash in the first few positions which created a gap behind us, and Sam was caught behind that. I was in the front split and tried my best in the sprint and ended fourth, which for me personally was a nice result, but I think with Sam we could have ended even higher. I’m really looking forward to Sunday which is another nice chance for us. Personally, I’m happy with my shape too after the Vuelta and in a good way after the two Grand Tours I’ve done this season.”