After his successful showing in the Tour de Langkawi, Theo Bos hopes to carry his momentum back to Europe when he lines up in a pair of one-day races in the weekend. The fast Dutchman will be the leader of Belkin as they do their first races on home soil.

The Belkin Pro Cycling Team head for the Drenthe double header supporting an in form Theo Bos. Having racked up four sprint victories in the Tour of Langkawi, Bos will return to the cooler climate of northern Europe hoping for further victories in the Ronde van Drenthe and Dwars door Drenthe this coming weekend.

Sports Director Frans Maassen feels that each race has its different challenges but that Belkin has a strong line up to take on any challenge.

"The two races are slightly different but weather will be the key especially on Saturday in the Ronde. We have a lot of riders returning from Langkawi where we've had really good results so we are going to approach the Ronde with an open mind," commented Maassen, "there are also six times up the short climb to negotiate but with a strong team like ours we can take advantage of a lot of different situations as the race unfolds."

However Maassen sees a more straightforward situation for Sunday's race.

"For Dwars door Drenthe we have a good chance of a bunch sprint which is perfect for us with Theo on such good form. There are only 3 climbs and the final one is further from the finish than in the Ronde. The team is good and they will all work together for a result."
 

One man who knows a thing or two about what the team will face is Belkin's latest recruit Martijn Keizer. Living less than 25km from the finish of the Ronde he trains regularly over the route and knows the course intimately. He's convinced that he is part of a great team, one in which he can play a role.

"I think I can do a good job for the team. I can go with a break or I can chase them down for Theo, whatever is needed because we have a strong team and can do very well here. We are ready for the fight."

Keizer, who joined the team this year is well aware that the outcome of the race could hinge on the weather.

"If it's sunny with little wind there can be a bunch sprint in both which of course is good for Theo. They are pretty flat, open races but if the weather is bad it could be just a small group in the final and for that we have a very good team also."

The team will head to Drenthe for the Ronde van Drenthe on Saturday 15th March followed by Dwars door Drenthe on Sunday 16th March.

Line-up: Jack Bobridge, Theo Bos, Graeme Brown, Rick Flens, Nick van der Lijke, Barry Markus, Dennis van Winden and Martijn Keizer.