The first stage is immediately a good possibility for the latter rider. He’ll get support from riders like Mike Teunissen and Norwegian champion Amund Jansen in the sprint. On day two, the team time trial is on the program. With Tony Martin and Wout van Aert, who both became the national champion of their respective countries last week, the team has two very strong time trialists.

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During the sixth stage, with finish on la Planche des Belles Filles, the GC riders will face their first climb. Laurens De Plus and George Bennett will help Kruijswijk during the mountain stages.

After a few tough stages in the Massif Central, the peloton heads to the Pyrenees. The mountain stages are interrupted by an individual time trial in Pau.

The main focus is on the last week. The riders have to conquer multiple Alpine cols, including six summits above two thousand metres. The Tour de France traditionally finishes in Paris.

Sports director Grischa Niermann: “We have two big goals during this Tour de France: the general classification with Steven and stage wins with Dylan. Besides that, in Wout and Mike we have two riders who have the possibility of winning one of the hilly stages.”

Dylan Groenewegen: “The best sprinters you can think of will participate in the Tour. But we’ve won all year round. We’re one of the stronger sprint trains and we’re going to do our best again. I got better, the guys around me got better. It makes us even stronger than last year. The yellow jersey is a nice bonus if I win in Brussels this Saturday. But if I win a stage after a week of racing, just like last year, it’s also very good. And if I win two stages, it’s even better.”

Steven Kruijswijk: “After last year, I’m confident that the top three is within reach. And if I want to finish on the podium, I should attack, but maybe a bit later than last year during the stage to Alpe d’Huez. I like to race that way. Hopefully, I’ll be able to finish it off. I’m looking forward to the start. We have a very nice team. I’m ready for it.”