Victor Vercouillie wins fourth stage of Eneco Tour

◆2 sources

Victor Vercouillie won the fourth, described as the queen stage, of the Eneco Tour. The 23-year-old Belgian of Team Flanders-Baloise was fastest from a leading group of five after the 145-kilometre hilly route from Hoogeveen to the VAM-berg.

Vercouillie became emotional after the finish. The victory was a farewell success for Team Flanders-Baloise, which is ceasing to exist. In the women’s race, Lieke Nooijen retained the overall lead.

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Tim Merlier wins first Eneco Tour stage

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Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step won the first stage of the Eneco Tour in Ede in a bunch sprint. Dylan Groenewegen finished second, ahead of Belgian rider Gerben Thijssen. The race is being held in the Netherlands and runs through Sunday. It is the second edition of the Dutch stage race and includes a women’s edition for the first time.

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Nooijen regains Eneco Tour lead after Tilburg time trial

10 sources

Lieke Nooijen won the 13.6-kilometre individual time trial in Tilburg, the second stage of the women’s Eneco Tour, in 16 minutes 56.41 seconds. She finished 20 seconds ahead of Nienke Vinke, while Sandrine Tas was third, 21 seconds behind. Nooijen, who had also won the prologue in The Hague, retook the overall lead from Tas after Tas had won the preceding sprint stage in Ede. Vinke moved up to third overall, 31 seconds behind Nooijen; Tas is second, one second ahead of Vinke.

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