As usual Belkin will line up as the big favourites when they take to the start line at their home race, Volta Limburg Classic. With climbers Steven Kruijswijk, Wilco Kelderman, and Laurens Ten Dam and fast finisher Moreno Hofland, the have covered their bases in the hilly race that is often seen as a mini Amstel Gold Race.

The Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM is determined to notch a good result in the Volta Limburg Classic on Saturday. Sports Director Frans Maassen hopes to see one of his riders on the top step of the podium in Eijsden, the Netherlands. 

“The Volta Limburg Classic is a very special race for me,” said Maassen, who was born and resides in Eijsden. “The boys can make me very happy, because winning in Limburg always means a lot, even if we’ve yet to win the race.” 

Maassen wants the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM to take the offensive.

“We will have a great team at the start. We will not wait during the race, we will take the initiative. Traditionally, most of the teams keep a close eye on us in this race and usually, that led to our downfall. However, we are determined to turn the tide.” 

Maassen sees the Volta Limburg Classic as a mini-version of the Amstel Gold Race, the classic he won in 1991.

“It is a very nice race in a very beautiful region. It’s going to be a hand-to-hand combat. The final is less difficult than I would like, but we have a few fast and strong men. Hopefully Moreno Hofland will be fully fit for Saturday.” 

“It’s nice to ride a home race,” said Laurens ten Dam, who lives in the region, as well. “That doesn’t happen very often. In the past, the parcours actually ran through Limburg, which was beautiful as you could really surprise the foreigners. Now we’ll ride laps, but I still like the race. We start and finish in Eijsden, a place I often pass during training rides.” 

Usually, Paul Martens is at Ten Dam’s side because the German lives nearby. Unfortunately, Martens will not start the start as he’s not completely fit.

“I talked a lot about this race with Paul this winter. I really would’ve like to help him to a victory. Anyhow, on Saturday, we will fight as a team. Hopefully, I can do my job until late in the race. We hope to have as many men in the final as possible.” 
 

Laurens ten Dam, Marc Goos, Moreno Hofland, Martijn Keizer, Wilco Kelderman, Steven Kruijswijk, Nick van der Lijke and Dennis van Winden.