This year's edition of the Eneco Tour of Benelux kicks off tomorrow with an interesting route that seems suited well for a balanced rider. In addition to the opening prologue, there is another ITT on the final stage mixed in with a few flat sprint stages and maybe a few noteworthy climbs. It is designed to be a pretty balanced route but I think it is certainly up for grabs for any rider that is a solid TT man and has a strong team to support him. Here are a few riders to watch out for:
Edvald Boasson-Hagen- Defending champ EBH should be a major force and is my favorite to win the Eneco Tour this year. In case I havn't stressed it enough, this kid impresses me as much or more than any other young talent on the circuit today. He is a world class sprinter and time trialist, but has shown that he can also be extremely dangerous in the mountains. He won the race last year by consistent sprinting and then made his move on the final time trial, and it wouldn't be too far off to expect it again.
Tony Martin- Hands down Martin is the best time trial rider in the field, and that should play into his favor. He is good enough to get by on any climbs he may face this week, and should have no trouble keeping up on the flats. The only reason he is not my favorite is because I'm worried he may lose some time going all out as a member of Andre Greipel's sprint leadout.
Jurgen Van Den Broeck- I know this course layout really isn't his cup of tea, but any time a Tour de France top 5 finisher is entered in an event he must be mentioned. Van Den Broeck is a solid time trialer, and can always launch a major attack on one of the climbs he may encounter. I don't think he will, but he is more than capable to succeed if he does.
Ivan Gutierrez- Gutierrez is an attack specialist, and could end up launching his move midway through one of the hilly stages. He is not as strong as some of the other TT riders, but can possibly compensate on the road.
Andreas Kloden- He, much like Gutierrez, can make his case for the title on an attack. Kloden actually is a very good time trial rider, though, and the main question with him is whether or not it is in Radioshack's plan to move him to the front.
Other names to watch: Jurgen Roelandts, Daniel Oss, Vasili Kiryienka, Ruben Perez, Christian Knees
Sprinters to watch: Edvald Boasson-Hagen, Andre Greipel, Mark Renshaw, Robbie McEwen, Allan Davis,
Looking forward to it! Need summat to fill void after TdF
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