The International Cycling Week of Coppi and Bartali began with a relatively easy 109-kilometer stage. After a breakaway of four was caught at 15 kilometers from the finish, several riders tried to escape from the peloton. Johannes Staune-Mittet, among others, was very active, but he did not get any space.

On the descent, Marco Brenner did manage to create a small gap and was able to hold on to the lead until the finish line. Bouwman sprinted to fourth place shortly behind. "I'm satisfied with this. We knew before that this would not be a stage in which we would have the best chance for a win, so in the end I think this was the best possible result," Bouwman said.

"In the final 25 kilometers our young talents did try to force something. Without success, but due to the high pace the peloton was not very big anymore." Bouwman is surrounded by several riders from the Development Team in Italy and finds it "really fun" to race with them. "Everyone is super motivated. Of course, you don't often get the chance to ride for yourself, so everyone is extremely excited."

Robert Wagner, sports director of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, is proud of his team's work. "The team took initiative and showed a good mindset. The fact that we finished with six men in the front group is promising for the upcoming stages," Wagner said.

According to the German DS, it is very important for the youngsters to compete at the highest level. "Like previous years, we are riding this race as a mixed team with both WorldTour and Development riders. Menno Huising, Tijmen Graat and Darren van Bekkum are competing on behalf of the Development Team and for them it is a nice step to ride here. Tijmen was eleventh here last year and knows what to expect."

Team Visma | Lease a Bike is not just here to learn. "We want to compete for stage wins every day and we want to try to finish as high as possible in the general classification." Bouwman knows a tough stage awaits tomorrow. "Tomorrow the general classification will fall into place and then we will see who among us is in the best position."