The Belkin Pro Cycling Team was left with mixed feelings Tuesday after the first stage of the Tour Down Under. During the first day of the 2014 season, with the entire peloton keen to prove itself, Robert Gesink confirmed his good shape with a tenth place. David Tanner’s spill was a big downer for the team, however. The Australian crashed heavily late in the 135-kilometre course from Nuriootpa to Angaston and is forced to quit the race with a broken right collarbone.
 

“The guys dropped off David and me perfectly for the final climb,” said Gesink afterwards. “Normally Jack Bobridge, who’s looking very strong, would have been up there as well, but he punctured at a bad time. Then David went down with 1km to go, which was a shock. Luckily I was still able to ride a strong final and post a good result. I took some seconds on some strong riders and that’s nice, because the Tour Down Under is often decided by seconds. It's a shame that David is now out of the race, because he was in a good shape.”

Sports Director Erik Dekker was left gutted by Tanner’s crash.

“It’s a big bummer because despite the fact that he normally would have ridden in service of Robert, there also were some chances for himself. On this finish he was allowed to try something. David has worked towards this race all winter long. He did very well at the Australian Championships with a tenth place. Cadel Evans even came to me this week and told me how impressed he was with David’s performance.”

Dekker expects Gesink to be at the front again in Wednesday’s stage 2. “It’s the stage that Tom-Jelte Slagter won last year. The final is quite difficult. The boys will support Robert as long as possible. We’ll do our utmost best to get another good result.”