Etixx - Quick-Step rider Petr Vakoc finished 7th in the 60km Saitama Criterium on Saturday, after also entering into a four-man breakaway.
John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) won out of a six-rider breakaway that went up the road in the final laps. Fumiyuki Beppu (Trek Factory Racing) finished 2nd, and Chris Froome (Team Sky) finished 3rd.
Vakoc was the top finisher a chase group behind, 22" down on the six leaders who completed the race in less than an hour and twenty minutes. Julien Vermote of Etixx - Quick-Step was also 13th, in a group that finished 32" down.