The short but technical course in and around Ede, with its many corners, appealed to the riders of Team Jumbo-Visma. With top ten finishes for Markus and Anna Henderson and eleventh place for Karlijn Swinkels, the leading women went full force on Dutch soil.

Markus was pleased with her performance. "I gave everything, and I am completely empty”, the Dutch time trial champion said. "It is a special discipline, very different from a normal road race. You can compare it with the effort you put into the finals."

It is the first race for Markus after the World Championships in Glasgow. "I needed it mentally to take a break and be at home. The Tour de France Femmes and the World Cup were a bit disappointing for me, even though I'm having a good season. After the break, I could start training again and recharge my batteries for the last part of the season.”

The all-rounder is looking forward to racing on Dutch and Belgian soil. "And to racing with this team and proving myself. It is always special to race in the Netherlands with friends and acquaintances along the roadside. And, of course, it is nice to have a time trial in this beautiful stage race. We can speak of a good start.”