As a UCI WorldTour stage, the Benelux Tour is an inspirational goal in its own right, but its Flandrien-like course will be a great way to prepare for the similar course of the World Championships road race.
The Benelux Tour, the only UCI WorldTour stage race in Belgium and the Netherlands, has been a popular fixture on the calendar for classical riders for years. The course of the seven-day stage race always tends to lean towards the Spring classics, with several stages laid out across the hills and cobbles of Flanders and the Belgian Ardennes. But sprinters and time-trialists also get a chance to shine.
Therefore it’s logical that the riders who are aiming for the rainbow jersey are also trying to score in the Benelux Tour. With Mathieu van der Poel, Tom Dumoulin and Mike Teunissen the Netherlands will have three ambitious aces at the start.
Belgische national team coach Sven Vanthourenhout, will also use the Benelux Tour to help make his final selection for the World Championships. Jasper Stuyven, Greg Van Avermaet, Oliver Naesen, Tiesj Benoot, Philippe Gilbert and Tim Wellens will all be present to try and show off their form. That’s also the case for stars like Marc Hirschi, Søren Kragh Andersen, Jakob Fuglsang, Alexey Lutsenko and Mads Pedersen: names to be reckoned with at the worlds.
The Benelux Tour starts on Monday 30 August in Surhuisterveen (Friesland) and finishes on Sunday 5 September in Geraardsbergen, the decisive stage in which Mathieu van der Poel embarked on a phenomenal solo effort that yielded him last year’s overall win.
BENELUX TOUR SCHEDULE:
– Monday 30 August: Surhuisterveen – Dokkum
– Tuesday 31 August: Lelystad (ITT)
– Wednesday 1 September: Essen – Hoogerheide
– Thursday 2 September: Aalter – Ardooie
– Friday 3 September: Riemst – Bilzen
– Saturday 4 September: Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve – Houffalize
– Sunday 5 September: Namur – Geraardsbergen
