Heading into the World Ports Classic, Theo Bos said that if he was ever going to win a stage race, it would probably have to be the flat two-stage race. Today he accomplished his mission and even though he regretted not winning a stage, Bos relished the chance to shine in unusual fashion.

Theo Bos claimed the overall victory in the World Ports Classic today. The Dutchman of the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM placed second in the bunch sprint in Rotterdam, behind Ramon Sinkeldam of Giant-Shimano, and took the leaders jersey from André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol). The German triumphed in yesterday’s stage finishing in Antwerp, but wasn’t able to get in the mix today. Bos also won the points classification.

“This is my first overall victory and that’s pretty cool,” said Bos. “For the team, this is a great victory, as well. The sprint train was super today. I was dropped off perfectly by my men. The team also did great by controlling the race.”
 

Nevertheless, Bos was not completely satisfied. He would have liked to win one of the stages. Yesterday, the Dutchman missed out on the win by finishing third.

“I went for it again, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough”, explained Bos. “I started my sprint too early. It’s a shame, although I have to admit that Ramon was very quick. The final was tricky with all those turns. Everyone wanted to be in the front and so we had to sprint for position ahead of every corner.”
 

Sports Director Michiel Elijzen gathered with the sprinters of the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM last month for a training camp and was happy with the results.

"We are very happy for Theo and the men,” said Elijzen. “Although, we would have liked to win the stage, just like Theo wanted to win.

“The team worked well. With a few other teams, we controlled the bunch until the first bonus sprint. Partly because Theo won that sprint, he ended up winning the overall. In the hectic sprint, Theo was well assisted by Graeme Brown and Robert Wagner.”