Luke Durbridge (Team Jayco-AIS) overcame compatriot Michael Hepburn (Team Jayco-AIS) by a few tenths of a second to take the opening prologue of the Royal Smilde Olympia's Tour. Third place Sander Oostlander rounded out the top three a further six seconds back on the two Australians.
Durbridge blasted around the 4.7km course in a race winning time of 5:53; an average speed of 47.9 km/h. The Australian was surprised with the result .
"To be honest I thought Michael [Hepburn] would be faster," he said.
"But obviously I'm really happy with the result. The course was great with two wins so far here this year [Track Worlds], I do like Holland," said Durbridge.
The course was a challenging one; a myriad of technical corners through the Hoofddorp park and once over the steep but short 'Spotter's Hill' meant that a punchy rider was likley to come out on top.
"The boys are fired up to win. It will be difficult because it will be a tough week but we're off to a good start."
The Royal Smilde Olympia's Tour continues tomorrow with a 150.8km stage to Noordwijk.
| # | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke Durbridge (Aus) Team Jayco AIS | 0:05:53 |
| 2 | Michael Hepburn (Aus) Team Jayco AIS | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
| 3 | Sander Oostlander (Ned) Cycling Team De Rijke | 0:00:06 |
| 4 | Johan Lindgren (Swe) Team Cykelcity | 0:00:07 |
| 5 | Christoph Pfingsten (Ger) Cycling Team De Rijke | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
| 6 | Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Rabobank CT | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
| 7 | Moreno Hofland (Ned) Rabobank CT | 0:00:09 |
| 8 | Peter Koning (Ned) Rucanor-Line Cycling Team | Row 7 - Cell 2 |
| 9 | Luke Rowe (GBr) National Team Great Britain | 0:00:11 |
| 10 | Tobias Ludvigsson (Swe) Team Cykelcity | Row 9 - Cell 2 |
-
What to do if your bike is stolen
Should the worst happen, here's what you should do, plus some preventative measures just in case -
'This is the last thing I wanted to happen' - Spectator apologises after knocking Mathieu van der Poel off balance during Azencross
Spectator questioned by authorities, organisers announce that no charges will be filed -
'I believed I could turn it into a battle' - two punctures on same rock ends Wout van Aert's clash with Mathieu van der Poel at Azencross
Belgian left disappointed after initially matching World Champion and eternal rival -
X2O Trofee Loenhout-Azencross: Mathieu van der Poel adds another victory to season winning streak as Wout van Aert struggles with double flat tires
1-2 for Alpecin-Deceuninck as Niels Vandeputte takes second, series leader Joris Nieuwenhuis finishes third
