Mechanic Eddy de Weerdt preparing the Cervelo R5 Marco Polo Cycling Team edition teambikes for the race. (photo: Remko Kramer)

The Cervelo R5 Marco Polo Cycling Team edition teambikes. (photo: Remko Kramer)

The Marco Polo Cycling Team in Europe with riders from China, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Malaysia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. (photo: Remko Kramer)

The Marco Polo Cycling Team in Europe with riders from China, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Malaysia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. (photo: Remko Kramer)

Warm-up massage before the start. (photo: Remko Kramer)

Daniel Abraham from Eritrea. (photo: Remko Kramer)

Nick Mitchell from Australia and other Marco Polo Cycling Team riders before the start in Verrebroek, Antwerpen (Belgium). (photo: Remko Kramer)

Malaysian Loh Sea Keong and Nick Mitchell from Australia before the start in Verrebroek, Antwerpen (Belgium). (photo: Remko Kramer)

Xing Yan Dong from China and other Marco Polo Cycling Team riders before the start in Verrebroek, Antwerpen (Belgium). (photo: Remko Kramer)

Ethiopian Estifanos Kebede Gebresilassie from the Marco Polo Cycling Team in Remscheid Luettringhausen, Germany. (photo: Gerd Ramme)

Ethiopian Solomon Bitew Shiferaw from the Marco Polo Cycling Team finishing 13th in Remscheid Luettringhausen, Germany. (photo: Gerd Ramme)

Eritrean Daniel Abraham from the Marco Polo Cycling Team in Remscheid Luettringhausen, Germany. (photo: Gerd Ramme)

Matthe Pronk 3rd in Purmerplein, Netherlands. (photo: Monique Pronk)