Team LottoNL-Jumbo aims for a stage victory in the Tour de l’Ain. Sports director Erik Dekker sees several chances to accomplish this. Mike Teunissen and Steven Kruijswijk are the team’s main guns.

“The Tour de l’Ain is a versatile race”, Erik Dekker says. “It starts with a short prologue, there are two flat stages and two mountain stages. There are only six riders in each team, so this gives attentive riders a good opportunity to win a stage.

"Steven Kruijswijk really wants to win a stage and I think that Mike Teunissen and we have a good sprinter with Barry Markus. Nick van der Lijke are able to deliver in the bunch sprints as well. Mike is in top form, so I expect a lot from him in the prologue too.”

“It’s a nice race to strengthen my form even more”, Teunissen agrees. “We have a good team and I see chances for myself. The prologue suits me. It’s a lot of twisting and turning, so my riding skills can be important. I can do the bunch sprints as well. I proved to be a fast rider, the last weeks.”

“Our first goal is to win a stage in the Tour de l’Ain”, Dekker continues. “Besides that, it’s a good race for some riders to take the next step in their aim for good results later this year.”

The Tour de l’Ain is the second race for trainee Twan Castelijns. He can show off in a stage race after his debut in the Prudential Ride London.

Line-up:
Steven Kruijswijk, Mike Teunissen, Nick van der Lijke, Timo Roosen, Twan Castelijns and Barry Markus.