Argo Shimano's Marcel Kittel won the opening stage of the Eneco Tour this afternoon.
This annual race through the Benlux countries, started with a 203.9km stage from Waalwijk to Middelburg in strong winds and pouring rain.
Two riders in Perez of Euskatel and Staf Scheirlinckx of the Accent Jobs team got away and took the early time bonuses for winning the first two intermediate sprints.
They had a lead of eight minutes ahead of a peloton containing Alberto Contador, David Millar, Jeremy Hunt, Alex Dowsett and Luke Rowe, with a hundred kilometres to go.
That was over with 66kms to go and another sprint which Krugis won. Sixteen kilometres later, Team Sky's Luke Rowe got second behind Francisco Ventoso, on the fourth sprint on what was a very slow day.
With 33kms to go, Liquigas' Maroni went down,bringing down Ras who got up. Maroni didn't and was forced to abandon.
There were no attacks and the peloton was all together with four kilometres of the stage remaining.
Two kms up the road, there was a crash with at least six riders near the front of the peloton going down.
Radioshack then Argo Shimano attacked and it was Marcel Kittel who was first over the line.in a time of 5.37.56.
Britain's Adam Blythe was fifth.