Belkin goes into Omloop van het Houtland with a two-pronged attack. The race is likely to end in a bunch sprint in which the Dutch team will play either the Moreno Hofland or the Theo Bos card.

The Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM will start Belgium’s Omloop van het Houtland on Wednesday with two leaders, Theo Bos and Moreno Hofland. 

“The chance of a bunch sprint is 90 per cent,” said Sports Director Frans Maassen. “The wind on the local laps could push the race another way, but a large group kick is likely. It’s only logical to support Theo Bos and Moreno Hofland.” 

Hofland rode the GP Impanis-Van Petegem on Saturday. It was his first race since he abandoned the Vuelta a España early. 

“He did very well,” added Maassen. “Just as Theo, who suffered a little bit more on the climbs. Wednesday’s course is flatter, however. I expect them both in the final. These men can compete with the best. It is certainly not a disadvantage that we have two leaders.” 
 

Graeme Brown will try to help the two as usual in the final.

“Graeme is an expert when it comes to this race,” said Maassen. “He won the race in 2009 and finished fourth last year. He still misses some rhythm, but hopefully after Saturday, he made a step forward and will be a little bit better again for Wednesday. He is an important part of our sprint train.” 

The teams start the Omloop van het Houtland with ten men.

“Saturday we were seven, but two of us weren’t at their best and that was a real disadvantage,” said Maassen. “Now we have more cards to play.” 

TEAM line-up:

Jetse Bol, Lars Boom, Theo Bos, Graeme Brown, Moreno Hofland, Nick van der Lijke, Barry Markus, Bram Tankink, Maarten Wynants and Dennis van Winden.