Pliuschin started the 17,7 km time trial 26 seconds down on overall leader Jonathan Tiernan-Locke (Endura Racing), his breakaway companion on stage 2. The Moldavian Champion was riding really well until a front wheel puncture occurred with only 4 kilometers to go.

Sports Director Markus Zingen: "It's really too bad, because he was doing an amazing time trial. The course looked easy on paper, but there was a lot of traffic furniture, so you needed to be careful at all times. Alex did very well on these rolling roads!"

"If you see that, despite the crash, he has the same time asTiernan-Locke at the finish line, there was a lot more possible today. But there's nothing we can do about it. It gives us confidence ahead of tomorrow's heavy stage. Let's hope Alex has the legs he had today!"