The Dutch team tackles the Grande Boucle (7-29 July) with a very solid team. Talented Slovenian Primoz Roglic focuses on the top-five, Kruijswijk looks for his revenge, Gesink seeks to stage wins and Groenewegen aims at the green jersey
In the midst of a season steadily raced at the highest level in full swing (20 wins scored to date), Team LottoNL-Jumbo and Bianchi line up at the Tour de France start on Saturday, 7th from Noirmoutier. Dutch World Tour team aims for a leading role with two leaders as Primoz Roglic and Steven Kruijswijk and the sprinter Dylan Groenewegen, three athletes suitable to be in each stage’s frontline at the Grande Boucle 105th edition: 21 stages and 3.351 km from Grand Depart in Vandee to the finish in Paris.
Dutch team manager Richard Plugge affirmed that all efforts have been put to let the team start from last year’s outcome – when Dylan Groenewegen won the final stage in Paris. The opening part of the race is for sprinters and Groenewegen clearly affirms his intentions by presenting in the best shape. However, Team LottoNL-Jumbo knows it could do even better than last year on all terrain conditions aiming at the top five in the overall standings.
The riders squad is solid, committed and well-balanced with no weak points: it represents the perfect match between experienced athletes and growing talents. The eight men competing at the French race have been selected and early disclosed by the team to confirm their ideas and goals clearness: Primoz Roglic (Slovenia), Steven Kruijswijk (The Netherlands), Robert Gesink (The Netherlands), Dylan Groenewegen (Olanda), Antwan Tolhoek (The Netherlands), Amund Grondhal Jensen (Norvegia), Paul Mertens (Germany), Timo Roosen (The Netherlands).
