Written by Finz of NightmareChaos
  
  Groningen Prologue
  Known as “the City” Groningen is a very important city in the nothern part of Europe. And legend claims it was founded by the mythical Gruno of Troje. The “Grunoburg” the name of the ancient stronghold marks the start of this years prologue. A four kilometer long ride through the city of Groningen ending at the back of the site, the Martinikerkhof. A great place where once the great Sint Walburgchurch was rising towards heaven. A symbol of power of the lords of Groningen, the bishops of Utrecht. Who will be standing here to claim his power today, Dan Krogstad, Team Revolutie and the Cider Riders boys are favourite
  
  Groningen – Hengelo
  The second stage will lead us through the green meadows of Groningen to the eastern part of the Netherlands, Hengelo is our destination. The region we are passing is Drenthe, populated since 11.000 B.C. And home to the oldest monuments in the Netherlands, the Dolmen. The riders will not see these wonders of human architecture because, this flat landscape will see a high velocity in the riders' pace. The proud Drenthe people will cheer the riders on their way to Hengelo. In the province of Overijssel we set course the the finishline, were we will meet the people of Hengelo or, Weendbuuln. The cloth industry gave many fortune to those in Hengelo in the early days. And although this city is only 200 years old, its history dates back many years earlier with barons, earls and counts in their history. Many sprinters feel lucky here, but to mention one, Tadaki Ko, Hommerts Cycling Team, might do good here.
  
  Hengelo – Eindhoven
  Stage three will show us more of the eastern

part of the Netherlands. Starting in Hengelo and heading to Deventer, known for its cake and for being one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands.
  Arnhem and Nijmegen are passed, Arnhem famous for the big 1944 battles and movie, “A bridge to far.” Nijmegen is the southern neighbour of Arnhem and thus there is much rivalry between the two. Nijmegen is the older city dating back to the Roman period, were it was the biggest city of the North. As we leave Nijmegen behind we ride in Brabant towards Eindhoven. The “city of light”, home to the world largest lightbulb manufacturer ever existed. The rider that glows the most today is the one that won this stage. He will receive “t peertje”, a trophy dedicated to light. Special rider today will be Gert Sijmonds, Yuri SuperTeam
  
  Eindhoven – Maastricht
  The south of the Netherlands is ready to welcome all the riders that are still left. Brabant will be traded for Limburg, the second youngest of the provinces in the Netherlands. Suriname, in South America, has been a longer member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands then Limburg. That young.
  The hills from Limburg will test the riders but, they are not very hard. We will follow the banks of the river Maas towards Maastricht and besides some southern lumps it will be not very hard. In the youngest province we will finish in the oldest Dutch Town. Maastricht, the white star city, more then 2000 years a city and, seen civilization from the Paleolithic, that is 250.000 years ago! The winner will be a sprinter with the biggest lungs and at the Vrijthof, the central square, he will receive his trophy. Carroll Mullan, Team Revolutie, will be one of the riders that has a good chance today.
  
  Utrecht –

Rotterdam
  After traveling from Maastricht to Utrecht the riders are treated with a good nightrest. Utrecht will greet their heroes with loud cheers when they depart. The road leads to Rotterdam, the city with the biggest port in Europe. Some cities will be passed but the riders should be aware of the winds. Being in the most flat part of the country, most likely Europe and probably the world, the wind is king here. One claims to be able to see, on a clear day, from here to Germany, that flat. Utrecht is home to the ultrajectum team. Its in their name, and Rotterdam will be the city they want to shine. This “New York on the Maas”, known for its skyline and skyscrapers. Nothing reminds of the early years. Cuartio Canas, Club Ciclista Riaza, is a favourite here.
  
  Den Haag – Amsterdam
  The final stage, from the city of The Hague to Amsterdam, or from the royal city to the city of sin. The Hague will have its grandeur, its palaces and a royal visit from the new king. He will see that all is well and when a king sees it is well, it is well. Who would argue a king, I ask. If it fits a king, its good for everybody. The will ride north, through the famous tulipfields of Holland. The red, yellow and blue. The greenhouses and the seaside. And in the end we end up in Amsterdam. The capitol of the Netherlands, the big city, where it all happens and where all the money is spend. Here, we will see a very good sprint, all who have not won yet will try to succeed here. And we will give some credits to Godfried Engelborgh, TeamEric. An angel will win in Sin City. That would be the best end of the race.
  
  Who will win the Nederlandse Tour, you ask. It will be a sprinter. Trust me, I know what I talk about. Good luck, or like we say here, Toi Toi Toi.