On Friday evening, WM3 Pro Cycling completed the first of 2 races this weekend on Swedish soil. DS Jeroen Blijlevens’ 5-headed team finished 7th in the team time trial at the Crescent Vårgårda. His riders gave over 2 minutes in to the winner Boels-Dolmans.

The rolling roads of well over 42 kilometres were far from easy, noticed Jeroen Blijlevens. “Team time trial is a very specific discipline in cycling and it’s not our specialty. Nevertheless, our 5 riders rode a very solid and stable TTT.”

Though race on Sunday
The 2nd part of the Crescent Vårgårda is scheduled on Sunday with a road race of around 152 kilometres. The peloton will first complete 4 laps of 11 kilometres each, including a small climb, followed by a stretch of 53 kilometres with 4 gravel zones. The riders will then again cover the short lap of 11 kilometres another 5 times.

“It will not be easy on Sunday. Even though our riders perceived the gravel zones during the recon as not too tough, they will have to stay attentive because gravel zones bring about nervousness”, says Jeroen Blijlevens. “The route is rolling with a small climb in the 11-kilometre-lap. Also the wind can be pivotal on Sunday.”

While WM3 Pro Cycling rode the team time trial with 5 riders, the team will be enforced with Marianne Vos on Sunday.  Marianne will show her European champion’s jersey for the first time to the public.