Cycling analyst Raymond Kerckhoffs thinks Mike Teunissen has a good chance of riding the Tour de France. “I am almost certain that Jumbo-Visma wants to take a second Dutch rider to the Tour.”
The cycling analyst made that statement on Monday evening EveningGuests Sports† Teunissen, who comes from Ysselsteyn, must demonstrate in the coming months that he deserves one of the last two places in the Tour selection.
Dream start
Teunissen is one of the most important men for the spring. And that spring Jumbo-Visma started well with three victories in one week. Teunissen had his share as a helper in the win of Wout van Aert in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Christophe Laporte in Paris-Nice. In addition to the team goals, Teunissen has the personal goal to put himself in the spotlight for the Tour de France.
Netherlands
According to Kerckhoffs, the Limburger has a good chance of participating in the Tour: “I think the nationality can be an advantage for Teunissen.” Jumbo-Visma has already filled six of the eight places for the largest cycling race in the world. According to Kerckhoffs, there are four contenders in the remaining places: “Robert Gesink, Mike Teunissen, Tiesj Benoot and Christophe Laporte.”
Dutch sponsors
The cycling analyst thinks that another Dutchman will come along anyway. “There are many Dutch sponsors and they currently only have one Dutch rider in the Tour team. I think they will take a second Dutch rider with them to radiate the feeling. But in the end the form is decisive.”
According to Kerckhoffs theory, either Teunissen or Gesink would get a Tour spot. Kerckhoffs already has a name in mind for the other place. “Tiesj Benoot seems like a certainty to me.”
Laporte
The cycling analyst does not mention Christophe Laporte’s name. The rider who finished the Jumbo-Visma team game on Sunday in the opening stage of Paris-Nice and is the leader in the general classification. “Then he has to show very special things, even if he is the leader.”
Teunissen
Teunissen still has plenty of time in the coming months to show himself. After Paris-Nice, he will be at the start of Milan-San Remo and several Belgian races such as Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders.