 Despite the spring classics season ending without any victories , Nygaard stated he felt satisfied with the many high placings the team had achieved , particularly in the face of Gilbert 's clear strength . Additionally , Leopard Trek became the number one team in the UCI 's rankings after Liège – Bastogne – Liège , a position they had occupied , to no small amount of criticism , before the season and before they officially existed . Nizzolo closed out the team 's early @-@ season account by with a podium finish at the inaugural <unk> Berlin , taking second in the mass sprint behind Skil – Shimano 's Marcel Kittel . 
