Cycling: Huizenga to lead Dutch in the RAS
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Returning after a strong showing last year, the line-up of the Dutch
national team for the FBD Insurance RÁS has been announced.
The 2008 selection has a distinct track racing background and, as proven by
the British and Recycling.co.uk teams in the past, will have a related turn
of speed which could really shake up the eight day world ranked race.
Making the announcement Race Organiser Dermot Dignam said: "I'm really
pleased the Dutch are returning again this year, they are a great cycling
nation, and with the experience gained last year will be favourites to
defeat the pro teams from Iran, Norway, Ireland and Britain, and also the
powerful amateur squads from Bulgaria, France and Germany and of course the
best of our own county riders."
The squad will be led by Jenning Huizenga, who last month took silver in the
individual pursuit at the track world championships in Manchester.
The 24-year-old was also runner up in the same discipline at the Los Angeles
World Cup, and is expected to be one of the front runners for a pursuit
medal at this summer's Olympic Games.
The oldest member of the team is Robert Slippens who, at 33 years of age,
will bring experience to what is otherwise a very young team. The track
specialist has taken multiple national championships and six day wins, as
well as being European Madison champion in 2002.
Levi Heimans (22) and 24 year old Geert-Jan Jonkman are also very adept in
the velodrome. Heimans won the individual pursuit in the Sydney round of the
World Cup in 2005, and previously competed on Irish roads when he competed
in the Junior Tour of Ireland in 2002. Jonkman was national scratch race
champion in 2007 and took a silver medal in the 2004 European championship
team pursuit in Valencia.
The team is completed by 19 year old Maurice Schreurs. He won a stage and
the overall classification in the 2006 Junior Giro della Toscana, then
confirmed that strength when he placed second in last season's Hel van
Voerendaal.
The Dutch national selection now joins pro teams from Iran and Norway and
powerful amateur squads from Bulgaria, France and Germany that have already
named selections for the FBD Insurance RÁS, which begins in Navan on Sunday
May 18th and finishes eight stages later in Skerries on May 25th.
The race will start on May 18th and features stage-end finishes in
Ballinamore, Claremorris, Lisdoonvarna, Tralee, Skibbereen, Clonmel, and
Roundwood.
The final day of racing will take place on Sunday 25th May and runs from
Newbridge to Skerries.
On Sunday Newry Wheelers promote the Tour of the Mournes with a new course
on offer.
No doubt Juiced's Shaun Gray will be out to defend his win in last year's
event but he will have challenges.
Ballymena's Ryan Bankhead will also shine.
Tommy Lamb
