The ZLM Tour opens with a 21.1-kilometer individual time trial starting and finishing in Kapelle, offering a flat and punchy test perfectly suited to specialist time trialists and powerful all-rounders. At 2.1 level, the race attracts a quality field mixing professional squads with development teams, ensuring real competition for the leader's jersey from the very first stage. With no climbs to speak of, pure time trial ability and recent form on similar courses will be the decisive factors.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Niklas Larsen is the standout pick for this opening ITT. He rates at the very top of the time trial rankings in this startlist and has already demonstrated his form on comparable courses with a recent top-10 in similar conditions. Over a flat 21-kilometer course in Kapelle, he has all the tools to take the stage and the first leader's jersey.
Unibet Rose
Unibet Rose
Niklas Larsen sits among the top time trialists in this field and backed it up with a top-10 in a similar-profile race recently. His combination of high time trial ability and recent form on comparable courses makes him the clear favorite for this opening ITT.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Jakob Söderqvist and Mathias Vacek form a formidable pair of challengers. Söderqvist matches Larsen at the pinnacle of time trial ability in this field and cannot be overlooked. Vacek adds the credibility of a genuine recent top-5 in a similar-profile race, showing his stats translate to real-world performance.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Jakob Söderqvist matches Larsen at the very top of the time trial rankings in this startlist, making him a genuine threat for the stage win. The Epic-rarity Lidl-Trek rider is one to watch closely over 21 kilometers in Kapelle.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Mathias Vacek is well-rounded and has recorded a top-5 in similar-profile races recently, giving him strong credentials heading into this ITT. He is one of the more complete riders in this field and could trouble the very best.
★★
Dark Horses
Johan Price-Pejtersen, Thibault Guernalec, and Samuel Leroux round out the dark horse tier. Price-Pejtersen is a specialist who could spring a surprise, Guernalec has been consistently hitting top-10s in comparable races, and Leroux's recent top-5 on a similar course makes him more than a mere afterthought.
Alpecin-Premier Tech
Alpecin-Premier Tech
Johan Price-Pejtersen is among the highest-rated time trialists in the field and brings real specialist credentials to this 21-kilometer test. Without recent similar-race results to lean on, there is a slight question mark, but his raw ability keeps him firmly in contention.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Samuel Leroux posted a top-5 in a similar-profile race recently, demonstrating that his time trial ability translates into real results on the road. He is an underrated threat in this field and worth considering for fantasy picks.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Thibault Guernalec has recorded two top-10 finishes in similar-profile races recently and rates highly among the time trialists in this startlist. His consistency in comparable conditions makes him a reliable dark horse pick.
★
Ones to Watch
Michiel Mouris is perhaps the most intriguing pick in this tier given his recent top-3 in a similar-profile race — the best such result in the entire field. Mick van Dijke and Axel van der Tuuk bring solid time trial ability and relevant recent form, while Jonathan Milan's legendary status keeps him in the conversation even if this profile is not his primary specialty.
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Axel van der Tuuk showed he can compete in this profile with a top-10 in a similar-profile race recently, giving him a notable result to build on. His time trial rating places him just outside the elite tier but within striking distance.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Jonathan Milan is a Legendary-rarity card and one of the most celebrated riders in this startlist, though his primary strength lies in sprinting rather than the time trial. His team presence and sheer quality keep him in the mix as an outside chance for a surprise result.
Red Bull Rookies
Red Bull Rookies
Michiel Mouris has the best recent similar-race result in the entire field, having recorded a top-3 finish against comparable competition. His overall time trial rating is slightly lower than the top names, but that podium result demands attention.
Red Bull - BORA
Red Bull - BORA
Mick van Dijke is a solid all-around rider with decent time trial ability and is part of a strong Red Bull - BORA contingent that could animate the race. He profiles as a fringe contender for the top ten on this stage.
Verdict
Niklas Larsen enters as the top favorite, combining elite time trial credentials with a recent top-10 in a similar-profile race, while Jakob Söderqvist and Mathias Vacek represent the strongest challenges to his stage win bid.