Challengers for Rabobank at Dutch Championships

Dutch pro continental squads, Skil-Shimano and Vacansoleil, will field strong teams at the Dutch national championships in Sunday, in Heerlen. Skil-Shimano team manager, Rudi Kemna, said the two teams will hope to neutralise the impact of traditional favorites for the championships, Rabobank.

"As will the fact that another strong team have entered this year in the shape of Vacansoleil. We can hopefully counterbalance the Rabobank team better now," said Kemna. "I don’t expect it to be easy, but it will be more orderly."

Rabobank have named 15 riders for the race. Vacansoleil have 12 riders entered, while Skil-Shimano will be represented by eight riders. A week out from taking their place at the start of this year's Tour de France Kemna said his team will go into Sunday's championship with the firm ambition of claiming the national title.

"We are going there to win," said Kemna. "There are races where we think it’s important to stand up and be counted, but this time we are really focused on the result first and foremost."

The following are the three team's line-ups for the Dutch national championship:

Rabobank: Lars Boom, Koos Moerenhout, Stef Clement, Laurens ten Dam, Jos van Emden, Rick Flens, Robert Gesink, Bram de Groot, Sébastian Langeveld,Tom Leezer, Kai Reus, Tom Stamsnijder, Bram Tankink, Maarten Tjallingii and Pieter Weening.

Skil-Shimano: Roy Curvers, Theo Eltink, Floris Goesinnen, Kenny van Hummel, Koen de Kort, Piet Rooijakkers, Albert Timmer and Tom Veelers.

Vacansoleil: Thijs van Amerongen, Arnoud van Groen, Reinier Honig, Johnny Hoogerland, Gerben Löwik, Wouter Mol, Jens Mouris, Matthé Pronk, Wout Poels, Bobbie Traksel, Aart Vierhouten and Lieuwe Westra.