Lars Boom and Lieuwe Westra seem to be guarantee a spot in the Tour team of defending champion Vincenzo Nibali. “My whole program is focused on the Tour and should allow me to start the Tour in a good condition again,” Westra tells De Telegraaf.

Boom has also been told by his team that he can play an important role in July. “With the potentially windy stage to Neeltje Jans, the cobbled stage in Cambrai and the team time trial, I can be valuable. To start alongside Nibali will certainly be a challenge.”