Tour de France "is a big step in my career" says Nathan van Hooydonck

Nathan van Hooydonck has proved his worth inside Jumbo-Visma and has secured his debut at the Tour de France, despite the heavily contested eight spots that were available for the team members.

“This is a big step in my career. I think the places in the Jumbo-Visma selection are the most expensive in the peloton," van Hooydonck said in a press release. "I think I won Primoz's confidence in the Vuelta a España last year and also confirmed in Paris-Nice that I can do it. The team knows what it means to me, so I have the feeling that I deserved it," the Belgian said.

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He has been in the last season an important support man for Roglic at the third consecutive win at the Vuelta a España, but has proven himself time and time again during the spring classics in support of Wout van Aert, Christophe Laporte and Tiesj Benoot who will all be riding the Tour aswell. His role will be one of protection purely, for the leaders in the flat stages, and for van Aert in the sprints, however it is one of tremendous importance for the Dutch team.

“There is a lot of pressure on our shoulders. The first week is very hectic and dangerous, it's up to me to make sure we get through there as a team," he says. Sure enough it will be big shoes to fill, but van Hooydonck is one of the few riders in the peloton who has proved to be worthy of such a position in the Tour.

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