Last year Belkin completely dominated the Tour of Hainan, winning all 9 stages and the overall with Moreno Hofland. This year the team left the race with only a single stage victory, leaving sports director Michiel Elijzen disappointed with the outcome.

The Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM’s Tour of Hainan began on a high but ended less so today on the Chinese island. Wouter Wippert (Drapac Cycling) triumphed in the ninth and final stage and Belkin’s Moreno Hofland, last year’s champion and winner of stage one, placed 15th.

Frenchman Julien Antonmarchi (Team La Pomma Marseille 13) rode safely in the pack in the 165-kilometre stage from Dangzhou to Chengmai to secure the overall win. Belkin’s Nick van der Lijke ended the race in ninth place.

The results left Sports Director Michiel Elijzen unhappy especially after 2013 when the team won all nine stages.

“It’s a pity, we didn’t perform as hoped,” Elijzen said. “Fortunately, we were able to win the opening ride with Moreno.”

Today, the escape successfully stayed clear until the finish line in Chengmai. 

“Four men managed to form a breakaway and stay away. The peloton came close but just couldn’t catch them,” added Elijzen.

Elijzen would have liked to finish the race with a win, but the Dutchman was honest and admitted that the team did not have it. He said, “I have to conclude that we just weren’t good enough, despite the morale being high and trying every day.”