When it comes down to a bunch sprint on May 23 or 24 in the World Ports Classic, Barry Markus will be Team-LottoNL-Jumbo’s man to watch as his team-mates will assist him. The sprinter will give his all for his chance in the Dutch-Belgian two-day race.
 
“I’m very motivated and want to get a result. I trained a lot and hard. Next week, I’m going to train behind the scooter a couple of times,” Markus said.
 
“A part of the first stage is similar to the Tour de France’s stage to Neeltje Jans,” knows Markus, after attending the official presentation of the course a few weeks back.
 
“We face a lot of open dikes in Zeeland, so there is a chance that the wind will create echelons.”
 
Merijn Zeeman knows that the wind can play a role on both days. That’s why the Sports Director takes multiple scenarios into account.
 
“The course, with its narrow and open roads, has all the ingredients for an attractive race, but then it has to be windy. Last year, the racing was very dull”, Zeeman remembered.
 
“We have Barry in case we’ll get two controlled rides ending with a bunch kick. But like I said, there’s a chance that we’ll see an aggressive race. If there are moments, that we can force something, we will certainly look at those opportunities. We have riders who are capable of that, and something like that can also favour Barry’s chances.”
 
Team line-up:
Brian Bulgac, George Bennett, Tom Leezer, Barry Marcus, Timo Roosen, Mike Teunissen, Robert Wagner & Kevin De Weert.