"We don't have that role of favorite with Daan" - Dutch coach doesn't expect Daan Hoole to repeat Dumoulin's silver from Tokyo

Netherlands' men put all their hopes in Mathieu van der Poel for the road race next week. The world champion will hope to add the Olympic gold to his palmares, supported by Dylan van Baarle and Daan Hoole. The latter will also line up for the time trial this Saturday, aiming to prove that his national title against the clock wasn't just a fluke.

Unlike Glasgow, this year's programme feels once again 'normal' with time trial scheduled before the road race. "Last year during the World Championships we had the road race first and then the time trial after that, that felt very strange to me," national coach Koos Moerenhout admits to WielerFltis.

"Especially because you started with the highlight with Mathieu van der Poel. Then everyone went home and you were left with only the time trialists. It's different now. You build up to the time trial, without having a real build-up. We only have Daan Hoole here now, Mathieu and Dylan will join us later."  

There are some expectations for Hoole. "We have set the goal a bit wider, on the top 12. Without having to make hard agreements about that. He has to get the best out of himself. Ride the best time trial of his life. He is a good time trialist, he has also become Dutch champion this year, and is also a permanent fixture in the youth categories up to and including the pros."

For Moerenhout, it is of course a difference in experience compared to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, when he was able to grab silver with Tom Dumoulin. "In Tokyo, you knew in advance that Dumoulin is a specialist who competes for medals. Of course, we don't have that role of favorite with Daan. But it is definitely a nice challenge for him again, and for us to support him as best we can."