Stage 3 of the ZLM Tour covers 201 kilometres from Roosendaal to Bergen op Zoom on a flat profile, making it a near-certain bunch sprint. The North Sea region can deliver crosswinds and late splits, but barring echelon chaos the stage is set up perfectly for the pure sprinters.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Jonathan Milan is the dominant pick on this flat finish. His sprint is in a class of its own in this startlist, and Lidl-Trek have the numbers and experience to deliver him perfectly. Barring a crash or crosswind split, he is the rider to beat.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Jonathan Milan is the standout sprinter in this field, boasting the highest sprint ability of any rider in the startlist by a clear margin. On a flat finish into Bergen op Zoom, he is the overwhelming favourite to take the stage win.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Danny van Poppel and Tim van Dijke represent Red Bull - BORA's dual threat. Van Poppel is a proven sprinter with the experience to read a chaotic finale, while van Dijke's versatility means the team can adapt their tactics on the road.
Red Bull - BORA
Red Bull - BORA
Danny van Poppel is one of the most experienced and dangerous sprinters in this field, with a strong sprint and the backing of a well-organised Red Bull - BORA lead-out. He is the most credible threat to Milan if the Lidl-Trek train falters.
Red Bull - BORA
Red Bull - BORA
Tim van Dijke combines a sharp sprint with excellent cobbles and hills numbers, making him a versatile threat on this North Sea coastal stage. Red Bull - BORA could also use him as a lead-out ace or back him for the win.
★★
Dark Horses
Edward Theuns, Nils Eekhoff, and Jason Tesson all have the sprint to challenge for the podium if the top favourites are boxed in or the lead-out falls apart. Theuns in particular is well-positioned inside the Lidl-Trek train.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Edward Theuns is a seasoned sprinter with solid cobbles ability, well-suited to the punchy, windswept roads of the ZLM Tour. Riding for Lidl-Trek alongside Milan, he could emerge if the team's sprint hierarchy shifts.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Jason Tesson has impressed as TotalEnergies' designated fast man and possesses a sharp sprint that can trouble the bigger names in a hectic finish. A stage of this type suits his profile well.
Picnic PostNL
Picnic PostNL
Nils Eekhoff is a strong Dutch sprinter with good all-round numbers, and racing for home crowd favourite Picnic PostNL adds motivation. He has the sprint and hills ability to contest a bunch finish here.
★
Ones to Watch
Gerben Thijssen, Anthony Turgis, Arne Marit, and Simon Dehairs are the long-shots who could profit from a chaotic or reduced sprint. Each brings enough speed to register a top result if conditions and race dynamics play in their favour.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Anthony Turgis is a versatile attacker who can also get involved in sprint finishes, and his strong cobbles stat hints at suitability for the terrain around Bergen op Zoom. A wildcard if anyone goes early.
Red Bull - BORA
Red Bull - BORA
Arne Marit is a capable Red Bull - BORA domestique-sprinter who may get a chance if the team decides to play more than one card in the finale. His sprint and hills ability make him a legitimate dark horse.
Alpecin-Premier Tech
Alpecin-Premier Tech
Gerben Thijssen is an Alpecin-Premier Tech sprinter with enough speed to sneak into a top result if the finish becomes chaotic or the sprint strings out. Worth watching as an outside podium threat.
Alpecin-Premier Tech
Alpecin-Premier Tech
Simon Dehairs is a young sprinter with solid speed who could benefit from a disorganised finale or a reduced bunch. An intriguing long-shot for CycloDraft managers looking for value.
Verdict
Jonathan Milan is the clear favourite, holding the best sprint ability in the field and the full Lidl-Trek lead-out behind him; Danny van Poppel and Tim van Dijke are the most dangerous rivals if Red Bull - BORA can organise in time.