Winner of the prologue in 2011 and then going on to finish fourth overall, the in-form Taylor Phinney has said that he is making this year’s Eneco Tour a priority. The race begins next Monday and the American rider is fired up to perform.
Phinney picked up the first road race win of his career in the recent Tour of Poland and knows he is in strong shape. He was also third in the time trial there, and believes that his form is on the up.
“I'm very focused on trying to get a good result in the overall,” he said about the Benelux race. “Also, I'm targeting the time trial, which unfortunately is a lot shorter – 13 kilometres – than the 37 kilometres we just did in Poland.”
Phinney was an excellent second in the world time trial championships last year and has set that as his top target for the remainder of the season. Everything he does between now and then is working towards that goal, and a strong performance in the Eneco Tour would both boost his motivation and also show that he is heading in the right direction.
Meanwhile his team-mate Philippe Gilbert is also pinpointing a big result in the race. Winner of the world road race championship last September, he is yet to take a victory in the rainbow jersey and is determined to try to put that right as soon as possible.
He has ridden well in the past in the Eneco Tour, netting second overall in 2011 and fourth in 2006. He recently took a break from racing and having trained well, is ready to knuckle down again.
“I've always been good here, so I hope I can have the same results,” he said. “It's been very warm in Monaco since San Sebastián so I have had to train in the heat, which has been good. I also got to enjoy two full weeks at home for the first time since December.”
The duo will be joined by several strong team-mates. Directeur sportif Fabio Baldato states that others could also be a factor.
“Daniel Oss is also really in great shape and he was very strong in Wallonie. Manuel Quinziato, Marcus Burghardt and other great teammates like Danilo Wyss, Klaas Lodewyck and Amaël Moinard are there to support them,” he said.
Last year’s final stage winner Alessandro Ballan will not take part. Although he has recovered from his recent intestinal problems, the team is playing things safe and instead said he will ride some upcoming one day events.
The Eneco Tour begins on Monday with a 175.3 kilometre race from Koksijde to Ardooie.
Eneco Tour 2013 (WorldTour):
Stage 1, 12 August: Koksijde to Ardooie, 175.30 km
Stage 2, 13 August: Ardooie to Vorst, 176.90 km
Stage 3, 14 August: Oosterhout to Schouwen-Duiveland, 187.30 km
Stage 4, 15 August: Essen to Vlijmen, 169.60 km
Stage 5, 16 August: Sittard-Geleen ITT, 13.20 km
Stage 6, 17 August: Riemst to La Redoute, 150.00 km
Stage 7, 18 August: Tienen to Geraardsbergen, 208.00 km