Worked to pull back the break, then stopped, worked to pull back the break, then stopped. On the flat section of the second stage of the Vuelta through the Netherlands, many spectators were left scratching their heads at the seemingly contradictory tactics of Alpecin-Desseuninck over the nearly 100 kilometers.

As the team led by leading rider Tim Merlier later explained, its aim was to build a partnership with other teams with fast men to hold off an early five-rider breakaway.

However, the few sprinters' teams were not too keen on the idea of cooperation, much to the irritation of the Belgian team. As Merlier later told reporters, "They have no reason to be afraid," and warned, "If things continue as they are, tomorrow [Sunday] will be the last sprint stage."

After a 100-km chase by Alpecin-Desseuninck and an unsuccessful chase, the action finally returned with around 50 km to go.

"I needed help. The other sprinters don't need to be afraid and we can win.

His teammate, Xandro Moulis, gave Cycling News a more detailed account of the day's tactics.

"After that I decided to close the gap quickly, I had two options: let it go for five or six minutes or still lose the break if I didn't get help."

"Then I decided to close the gap, but then I was still alone [in the chase]. It worked out in the end, but it's a shame Tim didn't win.

"But we did everything we could as a team. But we made our presence felt in the race from day one, and we have another chance tomorrow [Sunday]."

Moelis agreed that there are relatively few sprinter teams, but argued that if they don't perform well, they risk self-destruction.

"It's a little sad when teams bring sprinters here and refuse to ride (the collaboration) because they think they can't beat Tim. My view is that you don't have to bring the sprinter here, and if you don't trust him, then let him stay home or go to another race."

"Now that we know that, maybe after tomorrow (Sunday) we'll have another tactic.