Apologies for the delays in providing the coverage. We have a prologue to start us off here in Benelux. It's pan flat and should benefit those mentioned in the preview.
Zhao is the best of the early riders on the course and he sets the early time to beat of 7'35.
Rajapakshage is 5 seconds slower than his team mate for provisional 2nd.
Matthews equals the time of Zhao but is put in 2nd.
Kuboki is + 3" for provisional 3rd.
Pretty good time for Tesfom who is + 5" in provisional 5th.
WOW, what a ride from Ho who sets a new best time, by 6 seconds, of 7'28!
Gunman is the new 2nd @ + 5".
Cheung is 6th @ + 10" to his countryman.
Van Aert disappoints big time as he is only 10th @ + 13".
Mottin is a strong rider against the clock and he comes in at 7'27 which is the new best time!
Dzervus comes in shortly after and is even faster with a time of 7'23.
Maccagli is 4th @ + 6". Starting to see some good times now.
Doull goes 5th @ + 7".
His team could do with a good ride but Dumoulin doesn't deliver as he is 12th @ + 15".
Cataford is only good enough for 6th @ + 8".
Hadi with a very good ride as he is provisional 4th @ + 5".
Anderberg would be hoping for a strong time to open up a gap in the GC but he is + 16" to the current leader.
Kalaba with a disappointing effort as he is 12th @ + 13".
Van Asbroeck was a favourite to be in the Race Lead after tomorrow but this is looking less likely not as he is + 28".
And we have a surprise winner today as Darijus Dzervus wins the opener here in the Benelux by 4 seconds. Quite the effort from the Lithuanian. Mottin and Ho Burr are 2nd and 3rd.
Hayter with a narrow lead in the U25s. Podium Ambition lead the Teams.
Benelux Challenge - Stage 1 Report 
