(written by peddelen)
  
  The last tour of season has been slightly delayed because of the riders' strike but this gives us the opportunity to look at the contestants in the Nederlandse Tour. Who are the favorites and who will spend six stages at the back of the pack?
  
   alberta 1 – 59th in OCM
  Fraga was announced captain in a press release by the team and we can only agree with that choice. Fraga has the age and experience to win this Nederlandse Tour. However he has a weak point; the prologue could form a problem as time trialling is not one of Fraga's strengths. Tour Prediction – GC and 2 stage wins for Fraga
  
   redop – 10th in OCM
  Again, Vasco Assis joins a Tour which makes him the rider with the most racedays in this season. However, all eyes will be on Tuero who joined the team halfway through the season with the ambition to win Nederlandse. Tuero is in great form and will try and make it another successful tour for redop. Top 3 in the GC and a stage win in stage 5 for Tuero
  
   Dingetjes – 68th in OCM
  After last year success with a stage win for Klaasen, Dingetjes are back. The young Darius Yvard replaces Klaasen as captain and aims for a repeat of last year. Luuk Schild will try to win the prologue. Podium in stage 3 and YC win for Yvard
  
   Glamourade – 36th in OCM
  The only Spanish team in the Nederlandse brings a sprinter who is at his best after some climbs. However, Netherlands is almost entirely flat and Ballestero will struggle to get a result. Top 9 in stage 4 for Ballestero
  
   Siporex– 55th in OCM
  The Swiss team has had a disappointing season in sprinting and will try to end the season with a positive note. However, Nadal and Arbizu will struggle. No results for Siporex
  
   Torreira – 37th in OCM
  Torreira bring by far the strongest team to Netherlands but none of the riders is in peak from. De Keijsere is captain for the team but will most likely see that his train will be exploited by the sprinters in his wheel. Top 9 in GC for De Keijsere
  
  

Sprint4live – 24th in OCM
  Sprint4live starts with Moerenhout as captain in peak form. Moerenhout and leadout Olfers are both Dutch and know most of the roads, making them men to watch. Figueira aims to win the Prologue and will support his captain later on. Top 5 in the GC for Moerenhout
  
   Drapeau Noir – 65th in OCM
  Claude Pardons is known to surprise in races but he will struggle to be near the top 20. The team will have to try a break away to get any success. No results for Drapeau Noir
  
   Rode Stier – 62nd in OCM
  Last year's number 3 has sold Fabian Turco - something they might now regret as Mora will have a hard time to defend that podium spot. But Mora seems to be a real tour rider as he took several top 9 spots in the Volta. No result for Rode Stier
  
   Red Star – 62nd in OCM
  Borisova is the man who will battle against the sprinters. Hoping to do just as good as last year when he scored two podiums and a second place in YC. Jan Ness will go for a good result in the Prologue. Top 9 in the prologue and the last stage for Borisova
  
   Darkwave Recordings – 44th in OCM
  The Danish rider Villumsen has had a good season with steady results and hopes to do the same in the Netherlands. He has a good prologue in him but when it comes to pure sprinting he will have to limit the damage. Top 9 in the GC and podium in the prologue for Villumsen.
  
   Pezzola – 28th in OCM
  The only Italian team in the Nederlandse tour comes with sprinters capable of getting results. Raccuzzo and Ottaviano are true Italian sprinters who can divide Nederlandse tour. Raccuzzo takes the first 3 stages and Ottaviano the last three. Top 5 for Raccuzzo in stage 3
  
   Monkeys United – 50th in OCM
  Last years winners will try to defend the title but it won't be easy for the Dutch team to win again on home ground. Engelborgh has spent the season in the top division and has struggled but hopes to finish the season with a positive note. Struyck is a prologue specialist. GC top 3 for Engelborgh, stage wins for Engelborgh and

Struyck
  
   Poker21 – 60th in OCM
  Poker come with several riders who do better on different stages. However, Moseley has the best chance for an overall result as he has the best prologue. Vancleave is in peak form but needs cobbles to excel and those are hard to find in Nederlandse tour. Top 5 in stage 4 for Moseley
  
   mortenryt – 40th in OCM
  The Danish rider Studsgaar is a real tour rider as all his results this year come from stages in Volta, Exxex and Cymru. He wants this tradition to continue in Neederlandse but competition might be too hard. Top 9 in stage 6 for Studsgaar
  
   Team iPower – 54th in OCM
  To be honest, Season 15 has not been the best for Team iPower. But Korošec is in peak form and looks good to win this tour. Korošec can do a good prologue and that could be the basis of a tour victory. Top 3 in GC and a stage win for Korošec
  
   Ekersvarvarna – 47th in OCM
  American Edan Horning never stood out in the sprints but this Nederlandse tour might change that. The technical stages seems to be made for him. Top 9 in GC for Horning
  
   Explogen – 41st in OCM
  Olufsen is one of the best time trial riders in OCM and will try to prove that in the Netherlands. However, the distance may be too short for him. Swindall will try to get some top 9 finishes but will find out that he's just not good enough to sprint with the best. Podium in the prologue for Olufsen
  
   JJL24SS – 39th in OCM
  Kiwi Holman is a specialist when it comes to hilly races and should do well on stage 4. But it won't cover for Hermansen, who is recovering from an injury and he will be missed as GC favourite. Podium for Holman in stage 4
  
   Scilian – 22nd in OCM
  De Schutter is a prologue specialist but seems to lack some discipline to live up to that expectation. Sullivent is a sprinter with a high topspeed but lacks technique to be one of the best sprinters in Nederlandse tour. Top 9 for De Schutter in the prologue