The Eneco Tour kicks off next Monday with a strong line up of riders expected to start the race. Among the favourites is Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) who has been almost winning at will in 2011. The Belgian has been consistent all season, taking a race every month of the year.
The course suits the Belgian national champion, with race director Rob Discart telling De Telegraaf, “the finale in the Limburg hills should be good for Gilbert. We have shortened the race by one day from last year. By contrast we have the finals on Sunday. We are very pleased."
Gilbert is currently in second place on the UCI’s World Tour rankings behind Tour de France champion Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team), but last week made his intentions clear of returning to the top of the list.
Andre Greipel is expected to co-captain the Omega Pharma-Lotto team alongside Gilbert. The German sprinter won two stages in the event last year and will look to repeat the feat, but will face stiff competition from likely participants Tyler Farrar, Robbie McEwen and Kenny van Hummel.
Van Hummel rides for the Dutch team Skil-Shimano, who obtained a wild card entry to the race. “This is obviously a race where our guys want to show themselves and I am very confident that this will happen again,” said team manager Rudi Kemna.
“I've already seen the course and it is tailored to Skil-Shimano. The early stages are flat and both our sprinters Kenny van Hummel and Marcel Kittel will certainly be in the mix there.” However there is a question mark about Kittel’s participation as he is currently riding the Tour of Poland, where he won the first three stages.
Double Tour de France stage winner Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky Procycling) is also expected to be amongst the aggressors, with the opening prologue suited to the Norwegian’s capabilities.
"In the first real race after the Tour is always a question of how the form is. I hope I can show something beautiful, "said the Norwegian.
There’s another individual time trial on stage four. It’s 14.7 kilometres long and should suit Boasson Hagen more than Gilbert. This was where TT specialist Tony Martin cemented his lead to win the race last year.
Other men to look out for in the general classification should be in the in form Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racinc Team), Stijn Devolder and Thomas de Gendt (both Vacansoleil) and Lars Boom (Rabobank).