Arnhem > Arnhem (150km/men & 71km/women)
The final stage of the Eneco Tour, unfortunately the GC is all over in both the men’s and women’s races. The race ends with a lap circuit in Arnhem, where both men and women will roll out together and then the women do 9 laps of the circuit, with the men doing a little loop before returning for 5 laps.
Weather
Rain in the morning but it should clear up and be dry for both races which take place in the afternoon. The temperature will be 11 degrees with hardly any wind.
Lap Circuit
A few little rises but nothing that should worry a pro rider.
Tactics
The sprint teams to control the break and set up the bunch sprint. Both GC battles are over, I’d be amazed if both races don’t end in a sprint.
Finale
Final corner with 400m to go.
A fast descent takes the riders down to that turn, these finishes aren’t normally the safest in the world.
Contenders
Tim Merlier – his sprint in stage 1 was incredible, I love watching the speed difference between him and everyone else. QuickStep will control this finish, they’ve got Van Lerberghe to help guide in the closing kilometres, anything but a Merlier win would be a huge surprise.
Pavel Bittner – 6th place in stage 1 was a poor result, he’s capable of a lot more than that. This is his final race for Picnic, hopefully he can challenge Merlier for the win.
Dylan Groenewegen – won the Dutch road race here in 2024, he knows the speed you can take the final corner at. He was 2nd to Merlier in stage 1, Dylan will believe he can win this stage.
Gerben Thijssen – 3rd in stage 1, a good result for the Belgian. Alpecin always have a good sprint train, it could be another top 3 for Thijssen.
Davide Donati – poor position in stage 1 and that was that. The Italian has already beaten Magnier in a sprint this year, it would be some achievement to also beat Merlier.
David Dekker – still no contract announcement, I really don’t understand some of the “big teams”. Dekker is a very good sprinter, but at this stage of his career, he’d make an amazing lead out man. He’s a big guy, 1.90m tall, having a big lad in the sprint train is a massive plus. Now 28, he’s got another 5 years at the top level in his legs, teams who need a lead out man need look no further. In terms of this stage, he can challenge for the top 3.
Charlotte Kool – should have won stage 1 but Guarischi did the dirty on her. After two 2nd places this week, it’s about time she took a win.
Barbara Guarischi – got relegated from 2nd in stage 1, it really was a poor move by her. As she was the SD Worx sprinter in that stage, I’d expect her to be their leader in this stage. Guarischi is a great bike handler, if she’s first into the final corner, they might not catch her.
Nicole Steigenga – 3rd in stage 1, she’s got a good chance of fighting for another top 3.
Mia Griffin – Irish sprinter for Picnic, she was 5th in stage 1, but I can’t see her doing any better than that.
Scarlett Souren – VolkerWessels have had a good week, Souren will hope to round it off with a top 3 finish.
Sandrine Tas – got the stage win on Wednesday, can she do it again? It’s been a good week for Tas, apart from a nightmare on stage 3, hopefully she can push Kool all the way.
Prediction Time
It’s rather boring, but it should be Tim Merlier & Charlotte Kool.
Betting Corner
Merlier was 4/9 in stage 1, now he’s 4/6? I’m assuming the bookies are a little worried about the hills in the circuit, I’m not, that’s a great price.
2027 Previews
It’s been one hell of a year! By the time I publish today’s previews, I’ll have written 500 of them in 2026, the most I’ve ever done by a considerable distance. Previews will cost £80 next year, but you can sign up now for £60, the deadline is Sunday night. As always, thank you for all the support.
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