Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Iljo Keisse placed 3rd at 205km Sparkassen Muensterland Giro on Thursday, out of a five-rider escape group.
The five riders had a gap of 1'50" with about 50km to go, but were able to expand their lead and keep the gap at slightly less than three minutes inside 20km remaining in the race. Even with 3km to go, the gap was still 2 minutes and 45 seconds with a group of chasers not much closer.
Jos Van Emden (Belkin Pro Cycling Team) went on to win solo out of the break, with Tom Veelers (Team Argos-Shimano) 2nd and Keisse 3rd.
German riders Tony Martin and Bert Grabsch were active earlier in the German race, both making multiple escape groups that were all eventually pulled back.
