Moreno Hofland will be extra motivated at the start of the Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg, Germany, on Sunday, August 23. The rapid Dutchman of Team LottoNL-Jumbo hopes to bounce back in the German one-day race after disappointing results in the sprints at the Eneco Tour.

“I’m eager, for sure,” Hofland said. In the first stage of the Eneco Tour, the 23-year-old finished eighth, but was twice in a row outside the top ten after that.

"The first three days I missed some chances and that was too bad. It also eats at you, but in Limburg, I was strong and I was able to join best. Only two leaders and a small group that included Wilco [Kelderman] finished ahead of me. That's a good sign with Hamburg and Plouay coming up.”

Hofland hasn’t raced the Vattenfall Cyclassics before. “I’ve watched the race a number of times on television, though. The climbs on the local lap always assure that a small bunch sprints for victory. I’d like to hit back in that sprint after the Eneco Tour.”

Jan Boven

Jan Boven thinks the course around Hamburg suits Hofland. “Moreno is a dangerous man for this race, but I have to say that our whole team is strong,” the Sports Director said.

“The run-up has changed and is new for everyone, but the local lap is how it’s always been. It is important for us to have a lot of men in the first group in the final kilometres and be attentive, but always keeping in mind that with Moreno with have a strong sprinter with us.”

Team line-up:

Jos van Emden, Rick Flens, Moreno Hofland, Tom Leezer, Nick van der Lijke, Paul Martens, Sep Vanmarcke and Robert Wagner.

Sports Director:

Jan Boven