Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team did everything in their control to try and contest both the 206km stage and the overall classification on Sunday at Stage 2 of the Giro d'Italia in Herning. Unfortunately, what was out of their control is what made the difference.
According to Sports Director Rik van Slycke, a peloton rider made contact with the wheel of potential GC contender Dario Cataldo earlier in the race when other teams were stringing out the field, which forced the Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team to work to bring Cataldo back and continue to contest the overall classification.
"The team was very concentrated," Van Slycke said. "We had to work a lot, but we were motivated and did a good job to bring him back."
Then, the team worked for sprinter Francesco Chicchi in the final kilometers, as the peloton prepared for the field sprint on a flat stage. However, bad luck also happened in that situation.
"At first they ran into the wheel of Michal Kwiatkowski, one of the leadouts for Chicchi," Van Slycke said." So we lost him with 3km to go, and then there was a crash in the last corner. They were lining up some guys who came in too fast on the inside, and they just went out of the corner and crashed."
Nikolas Maes, who was the team's top finisher in 20th place, was caught behind the crash just meters before the finish line.
"He had to hit his brakes and then stop," Van Slycke said. "So we couldn't do the sprint, and that's also why there was a gap of eight seconds with a few riders who made it through the corner. Chicchi was stopped, and he couldn't sprint. The road was full of riders down."
Mark Cavendish (Sky Procycling) won the stage, while Matthew Goss (Orica GreenEDGE) was 2nd and Geoffrey Soupe (FDJ-Big Mat) was 3rd.
Fortunately, despite all the bad luck for Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team, there were no crashes or injuries.
"Just some material damage by moves made in front," Van Slycke said.
For Stage 3, Van Slycke said, the team's tactics will depend on the weather. It's another flat stage.
"We have to keep always in mind that we can put Chicchi in the right position to win a stage, and be careful with Cataldo, Kwiatkowski and those who we hope can make a good result in the overall classification," Van Slycke said. "Make sure they do not lose too much time. In stages like this, it is very dangerous in the wind and with the high speed, we have to be very careful."