Lars Boom has hit a purple patch at the tail end of this season as he prepares to join Astana for next season.
The former cyclo-cross world champion won the Tour of Britain in 2011, beating Steve Cummings – then of Team Sky – and will be among the contenders again this time out.
A stage winner at the Tour de France, on the cobbled stage five, Boom has since gone on to finish second at the Eneco Tour – wearing the leader’s jersey for two days.
The Dutchman, who heads a strong Belkin team for this year’s race, will be one to watch on the undulating stages – particularly if a late breakaway goes clear.
If he can cut his losses on The Tumble – there were no summit finishes when he won three years ago – then stage seven, followed by the short stage 8a time trial could see him put gaps into his rivals.
Well-suited to the ‘Classics’ style courses, Boom is certainly capable of making up plenty of ground on those stages.
