WM3 Pro Cycling did not set off to a very good start in the Tour of Chongming Island. Lauren Kitchen could not properly position herself for the launch of the mass sprint, as she missed some team members because of an early fall.

The first stage of the Chinese race, which is part of the WorldTour, was blemished after 30 kilometres by a big crash. Three WM3 Pro Cycling riders were part of it. “We were in a comfortable position at the front, exactly where the crash took place. Yara Kastelijn, Rotem Gafinovitz and Valentina Scandolara were amongst the victims. They had to replace their bikes but could eventually continue to race”, says DS Jeroen Blijlevens.

Our 3 injured riders tried to catch up, but that effort was in vain. In the peloton, which was still together despite a couple of short break-aways, were another 3 WM3 Pro Cycling riders. Blijlevens: “We wanted Lauren Kitchen to get a prize in the sprint, but we did not manage.” Kirsten Wild won the first stage which took place on a local lap of 10 kilometres.

Another 2 flat stages
On Saturday and Sunday, the riders await 2 similar rather flat stages. It is expected that all WM3 Pro Cycling riders will start on Saturday, despite the crash. “Rotem, Valentina and Yara all finished with a delay. We now need to consider the damage. Rotem seems to be in the worst condition, but we assume the best”, according to Blijlevens.