Moreno Hofland (Belkin) got his first chance to sprint in the new season when he was narrowly beaten into 3rd in today's third stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia. The young Dutchman was impressed by the rare feeling of having the complete support from riders like Laurens Ten Dam and Bauke Mollema.

Belkin rallied around its young sprinter Moreno Hofland today in the third stage of the Vuelta a Andalucía. Bauke Mollema, Laurens ten Dam and the rest of the team hauled the 22-year-old Dutchman to the line in Sevilla. He missed the win, but just, placing third to Milano-Sanremo winner Gerald Ciolek (MTN-Qhubeka).

"I am impressed with the team's job and it's special to have Mollema and Ten Dam riding for me," Hofland said. "Then, Dennis [Van Winden] and Nick [Van Der Lijke] impressed me in the final kilometre with their lead-out. I came very close but a little too late for the sprint. Third place is good but I like to win so it's a mixed feeling."

Ciolek won ahead of Roy Jans (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and Hofland. They were so close that followers were unclear of the winner at first. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), winner of three stages so far, remains the overall leader.

The Belkin green and black team prepared for the stage finish. Sports Director Merijn Zeeman analysed the road book and drove the final kilometres of the 182.7-kilometres stage in Spain's south.

"We analysed the course well, the wind direction and we did a recon this morning," Zeeman explained. "The guys were well prepared and knew the roads."

With the sprint in the cards, Mollema, Ten Dam and the remainder of the Belkin team lined out the pack for Hofland.

“Guys like Mollema, a GC contender, were committed to our young sprinter. Everything went according to the plan," Zeeman added.

"At five kilometres out we were all there, seven guys keeping Moreno in position. The whole team. In the last kilometre, Dennis and Nick took over. Nick is a neo-pro and did awesome. It was a good job up against the good sprint teams here. I was happy to see that they could do their job to work for our young sprinter. It is what I wanted to see."

Zeeman echoed Hofland, he said that he was proud of the team's work but disappointed without a win because it was so close.
 

“The mid-mountain stage should produce a successful escape tomorrow”, said Zeeman.

The overall classification appears settled and the mountains appear too tough for the sprinters.

"The start is harder than the finish of the stage," Zeeman said. "We want to be in the escape and we are going to try, probably with Lars Petter Nordhaug or Laurens ten Dam.”

You can read our preview of the race here.