Bert-Jan Lindeman wants to do everything possible to win a pair of races in his home region this weekend. The Dutch Team LottoNL-Jumbo rider is extremely motivated for the Albert Achterhes Pet Ronde van Drenthe (1.1) and Energiewacht Dwars door Drenthe (1.1).

 
“I’ve already checked out the cobblestones sections this week. They looked great with the sun shining upon them,” Lindeman explained.
 
“I’m glad the weather won’t be as good this weekend. I’m hoping for wind and rain. I need weather like that so that I can make a difference.”
 
Lindeman recorded his first pro win in 2012 with a victory in the Ronde van Drenthe. Last year, he finished on the podium on both occasions. He ended up third in the ‘Ronde’ and second in ‘Dwars door’.
 
“It’s great to battle for victory until the very end in your home race, of course. That’s my goal again for this weekend. I look back positively on last year. This year, I hope to finish it off, though.”
 

Lindeman is happy with his form. “I’ve noticed improvement over the past few weeks. I needed a couple of races to get used to the intensity of competition again, but I think I made the right steps. Last Sunday, I was in a breakaway until very late in the final stage of the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen.”
 

Sports Director Frans Maassen is confident Lindeman can get in the mix this weekend. “Bert-Jan lives in the area and knows how to handle the cobblestones.
 
“It will be difficult for our team to carry the race, though. We’ll start with six men. Tom Van Asbroeck and Martijn Keizer won’t ride due to circumstances. Our young talents will get a chance to discover themselves and with Bert-Jan, we hope for a good result.”
 
Van Asbroeck isn’t able to race due to a crash and an injury he suffered in the final stage of the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen. Keizer replaces Robert Gesink in the Tirreno-Adriatico.

Team line-up:
Brian Bulgac, Bert-Jan Lindeman, Nick van der Lijke, Barry Markus, Timo Roosen and Mike Teunissen.