Marcel Kittel won the first stage of the Eneco Tour, a 203.9 kilometer long stage from Waalwijk to Middelburg. After good work of his teammates he sprinted to the win. Arnaud Démare was the second rider to cross the line. Taylor Phinney came in third.
Afterwards Kittel praised his teammates. “We have delivered a strong example of teamwork. Everyone could see that. This was my first race after the Tour de France. I was off the bike for two weeks, so it was pretty hard for me today. The stage wins makes this is a fantastic day.”
On Tuesday a 18.9-kilometer team time trial around Sittard awaits the peloton. Kittel hopes to defend his leader’s jersey, but says it won’t be a matter of life and death. “The team is motivated and a well-oiled machine. We can work together very good, we have showed that today. We’ll go and try to keep the jersey, but we’ll not put too much pressure on it.”
