It took a really short time for Moreno Hofland to swallow the first disappointment after losing the final sprint from a breakaway to in-form Tom Boonen at the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne yesterday, as the young Dutchman was quick to realize that what he did was in fact his career’s best performance.

The winner of the forth stage at the Vuelta a Andalucia last week, despite being given slightly different instructions from his team, felt strong enough to make it to the decisive 10-riders breakaway when Belkin Pro Cycling and Omega Pharma-Quick Step used the crosswinds to make a cut during the ascent of the Oude Kwaremont.

"I was the dedicated sprinter and the goal was to survive during the race and sprint for the victory while Sep and others would try to go in the breakaways. I felt really great and managed to follow these guys on the Oude Kwaremont. Riding along with these guys is really special. We reached the top and there was a gap. I looked around and saw Tom Boonen, Sep, all good riders so I realized it was possibly the decisive move and it turned out that way," Hofland said.

The extremely well organized breakaway managed to maintain the lead over the chasing group and since it became clear that a sprint from a small group will decide the race, Boonen and Belkin’s young sprinter were the only serious contenders staying in contention.

The decisive quarrel with Boonen, known for having powerful kick in the finales after long hours of hard racing, occurred to be too much for the 22-year old Dutchman as all ten riders, including Hofland, were forced to contribute to the work during their over 70km long breakaway.

"It was really far. We captured a minute and we had to work hard - almost to the last corner - to hold it. In the sprint, Tom Boonen was too strong."

However, after swallowing the disappointment after finishing runner-up to Boonen in what the Belgian described as a sprint of the dying swans, young Dutchman was quick to realize how amazing result he just managed to achieve, establishing himself as one of the most promising prospects for the future.

"He was strong, Tom Boonen," Hofland said, laughing.

"I came quite close, but there was a gap when he launched his sprint. I knew it was a headwind, so I had to come out late but he was a bit too strong for me but that's nothing to be ashamed of; it's Tom Boonen who beat me."

"I felt good the last few weeks but I didn't expect to be that good. Finishing on the podium for the first time in a one-day Classic is super nice. I can't wish for more. If you would've said this a month ago I would not have believed it."

"I was the dedicated sprinter and the goal was to survive during the race and sprint for the victory while Sep and others would try to go in the breakaways. I felt really great and managed to follow these guys on the Oude Kwaremont. Riding along with these guys is really special. We reached the top and there was a gap. I looked around and saw Tom Boonen, Sep, all good riders so I realized it was possibly the decisive move and it turned out that way," Hofland told Cyclingnews.