Dutchman Tom Dumoulin is set to make his return to professional racing at the Tour de Suisse this weekend.
Giro winner Dumoulin last turned a pedal in anger at the Vuelta a España in 2020. He’s been out all of this season having decided to take a break.
When the Dutchman announced he would be stepping away from the sport following the Jumbo-Visma training camp early in the year he wasn’t sure if he’d even return to being a professional cyclist. He didn’t start back riding until April and then was seen at the side of the road watching Amstel Gold. Last month he said: “I found it very nice to see everyone again and to taste the atmosphere of the race. That triggered me to say, ‘Oh, this is a world in which I have built up something in recent years but that has also really become my world.’ A world that I really like.”
He added that in recent years he had become “a bit lost” as to what he really wanted from the sport. But he has refound that now.
Coach Frans Maassen told CW that Dumoulin’s appearance at the Tour de Suisse will be mostly about assessing his level as part of his preparation for the Olympics.
“There’s the first prologue [11km], when everyone will be fresh and then there’s a TT on stage seven [23km] when he’ll be a bit tired,” said Maassen. “He wants to go to the Olympics so a certain level is needed for that because he has some time but not that much time.”
Bu hikaye CYCLING WEEKLY dergisinin June 03, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye CYCLING WEEKLY dergisinin June 03, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike