German Marcel Kittel won the opening stage of the 26th SterZLMToer today.
This Dutch race started in Eindhoven with Team Sky fielding a strong team including Brits Mark Cavendish in his final race before the Tour De France, Alex Dowsett, Jeremy Hunt and Ian Stannard.
Today saw a 151km stage from Endhoven to Sittard/Geleen and saw a four man group of four-man group of Sven Vandousselaere (TSV), J Schipper (RIJ), Rens te Stroet (CJP) and J Wiersma (MET) get away and take a lead of 6:30.
Rens te Stroet took the first points sprint of the day and the second as the riders started on the finishing circuit.
With fifteen kilometres to go, the peloton were caught and Pim Ligthart took over at the front.
Sky and Rabobank worked together to ensure that the peloton was back together for the final four kilometres.
The speed went up to 60kmsph as Kittel won the bunch sprint ahead of Mark Renshaw and Mark Cavendish.
Speaking to Team Argos-Shimano press office, Kittel said: "Almost all of the top sprinters are here, this win gives us a lot of confidence. Our train was functioning very well. Everyone knew what to do and carried it out well. It feels good I can blindly trust my teammates."
On Friday the riders start in the Dutch town of Nuth. After riding 167 kilometers through the Southern part of the Dutch province of Limburg the bunch returns to Nuth.
Tomorrow's stage is 167kms long and starts and finishes in Schimmert.