[Underneath article was written before the start of the Benelux Tour and has not been updated]
The Benelux Tour serves three opportunities for sprinters, the other stages are important for the GC.
Stage 2 is a pan-flat ITT of 11.1 kilometres, while the last three stages are played out on hilly terrain – all with their very own charateristics. One could argue that the riders face mini versions of the Amstel Gold Race, Liège–Bastogne–Liège and the Tour of Flanders. Those who excel on this terrain are likely to battle it out for the Gc win, especially when they are also strong in the race against the clock.
Former winners at the start are Matej Mohoric (2019), Tom Dumoulin (2017) and Tim Wellens (2015, 2014).
Favourites 2021 BinckBank Tour
*** Remco Evenepoel, Søren Kragh Andersen, Kasper Asgreen
** Tom Dumoulin, Gianni Moscon, Matej Mohoric, Tim Wellens, Marc Hirschi
* Stefan Küng, Peter Sagan, Jasper Stuyven, Tiesj Benoot, Sonny Colbrelli