(written by Yuri of Yuri Super Team)
  
  Enthusiasm could be seen on everyone’s face on Day 71 as the Germany Tour started with its Prologue in Kiel and also the sign up for the Netherlandse Tour began. In Germany, Solomon Henschel (Team Whalers) won for the second time this season and he showed he is fighting for the best Time-trialist prize in the Awards at the end of the season.
  
  In Netherlands, the organizers were pleasantly surprised to see so many teams at their door waiting for the sign up to open - 19 teams signed up in the first 10 hours, clearly showing that everyone wanted to take place and make history in this important Tour. Despite being the most represented team in OCM, only three Dutch teams signed up for their home Tour, but there will be 11 Dutch riders fighting for glory in front of their home fans.
  
  Perhaps, the most interesting of these Dutch riders is Roland de Wolf (De Pedaaltjes), who has already raced for his nation 6 times and has previously finished 3rd in this Tour. However, this season Roland has been a little hidden and hasn’t reached the heights of last season when he won 3 times. When asked, he said he was looking forward for a good Tour and he wants to make the Dutch fans happy.
  
  The first team knocking at the door of the organizers was North Shropshire Wheelers whose new star, Jaroslav Brychta, is one of the favourites. A recent winner of the

Division 2 Classic Grasse – Toulon, Brychta knows how to perform in the big races. Chris Wilkinson, the team manager, said that recently Brychta has been working on his time trials skills which has turned him from sprinting specialist to a contender for this Tour. He also said he was a bit disappointed with the poor quality from his lead outs. Let’s see how the Tour goes for this welsh team.
  
  Another favourite is Torben Sturmann (Shinboners) who has just finished racing in the Germany Tour. This rider certainly needs no introduction - he already has 8 wins this year. Germany was largely a disappointment for the Sturmanntor but sources close to the rider have suggested he was saving his energy for Netherlandse. Will this Tour mean more success for the German or has Germany taken too much out of the rider?
  
  Patya Gordeyeva (Yuri Super Team) has had a solid debut season with thirteen top 9 finishes, but no victories. The Russian has the support of three quality leadouts and is likely to perform well in the time trials meaning he is another rider who that will be contending for the GC.
  
  The defending champion Nicolai Hermansen (JJL24SS) is in the Netherlands again to go for two in a row. Last season, he won 2 stages and got a 3 place, which is quite an achievement for a Tour of only 6 stages. It will be interesting to see if he is able to do this again. His biggest obstacle is the Prologue, as time trialling is a

weakness for this rider, but a strong team will inevitably put him in a good position for success in the other 5 stages.
  
  Another new superstar is the Portuguese sprinter, Conrado Fraga (Gradient Levellers). Fraga is another rider fresh from performing in Germany where three top 5 finishes was a good return for his maiden race. As with Sturmann, Fraga may be tired from the 10 stages in Germany and added to his weak lead outs and lack of time trialling ability, is an outside bet for the GC victory. However, this rider looks to have a big future and much is expected from him here.
  
  There are other riders who will also fancy their chances for this Tour. The Dutch rider Jelmer Wijkstra (Team Tirilla) will be hoping to perform well in his home tour. Also capable of springing a surprise are Alain Dobbelaere (Darkwave Recordings) and Philippe Malchow (Team Trier).
  The Tour begins in 3 days. Everything is ready for the start of the Nederlandse Tour. Let the race begin!
  
  
  The Favorites:
  
  *** Jaroslav Brychta
  Patya Gordeyeva
  Torben Sturmann
  
  ** Nicolai Hermansen
  Jelmer Wijkstra
  Conrado Fraga
  
  * Alain Dobbelaere
  Philippe Malchow
  Grayson Blackstock
  Roland De Wolf