David Millar (Saunier Duval-Prodir), Roger Hammond and Mark Cavendish (both T-Mobile) will all be taking part in the eight day Eneco Tour, which kicks off on Wednesday.
Starting with a 5.4 kilometre prologue in Hasselt, Belgium and finishing with a time trial in Holland from Sittard to Geleen but with few decisive stages inbetween, it could be difficult for any one team to dominate proceedings in the ProTour event.
Already a seven-times winner this season, Cavendish, part of an eight-man T-Mobile squad, will have several opportunities to increase his 2007 tally of victories. Whilst stage one from Waremme to Eupen on Thursday is a mini-version of an Ardennes Classic, stage two from Antwerp to Knokke-Heist is all but flat and will probably be the Manxman?s first chance of victory.
With Tom Boonen (Quick Step) absent, Cavendish?s toughest rival could well prove to be Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto). Other fastmen on the provisional Eneco roster include Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas), Phillipe Gilbert (Francaise des Jeux), Flanders and Hamburg winner Alessandro Ballan, Rabobank?s Graeme Brown, Jimmy Casper (Unibet.com) and Credit Agricole?s Thor Hushovd.
?Mark?s already shown McEwen is beatable this season.? T-Mobile?s directeur sportif Rolf Aldag told CW. ?So we?re definitely in the market for stage wins.?
?He?s got his confidence back at 100 percent after winning a stage in the Tour of Denmark, plus he knows he can count on great support from the team.?
?Roger and Servais Knaven both have a great deal of ?local knowledge? about the course, which will be a huge help, and then with Kim [Kirchen], who already won the race back in 2002 when it was the Tour of Benelux, we?ve got a contender for the overall.?
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
?Stage one has a finish a bit like Amstel Gold, but after that, Mark will have his chance.?
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Stage
Date
From - To
Length
Prologue
Wednesday Aug 22
Hasselt ? Hasselt
5.1km
Stage 1
Thursday Aug 23
Waremme ? Eupen
189.5km
Stage 2
Friday Aug 24
Anvers ? Knokke-Heist
199.1km
Stage 3
Saturday Aug 25
Knokke-Heist ? Putte
170.8km
Stage 4
Sunday Aug 26
Maldegem ? Terneuzen
182.7km
Stage 5
Monday Aug 27
Terneuzen ? Nieuwegein
179.9km
Stage 6
Tuesday Aug 28
Beek ? Landgraaf
177.4km
Stage 7
Wednesday Aug 29
Sittard ? Geleen ITT
29.6km
Overall length - 1134.1km
Previous Winners
2006 Stefan Schumacher (Ger) Gerolsteiner
2005 Bobby Jullich (USA) CSC
Visit the event website at www.enecotour.com
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
