“I know I wasn’t at my best in Poland and I think I will be better here. We will see.”
Already a winner of the prologue in the race two years ago, Taylor Phinney will bid for his second success against the clock in today’s time trial at the Eneco Tour.
Third in a longer test in the recent Tour of Poland, Phinney believes he is in better shape and that the distance suits him better.
“Poland was a lot longer and at the end of a really hard week,” Phinney stated yesterday on his team’s audio line. “This is much shorter. This is 13 compered to 38. I like it when it’s a bit shorter.”
Already motivated by the thoughts of winning the time trial, Phinney has an extra carrot in that he could also take over the race leadership if things go well. He starts the stage ninth overall, seventeen seconds off the race lead of Lars Boom (Belkin Pro Cycling), and should move up the general classification if he rides to his usual level.
Phinney’s big end of season target is the world championships. He was a close second to Tony Martin last year and would dearly like to take the rainbow jersey. A strong ride today would boost his motivation in the build-up to the worlds, but he is also clear that there are differences in the events.
“Florence [the worlds course – ed.] is quite long, 57 kilometres, and there is a bit difference between a short time trial and a long time trial,” he said. “But it is always good for the confidence if you can get solid results in the time trials and perform well.
“I know I wasn’t at my best in Poland and I think I will be better here. We will see.”
Boom will be one of those who Phinney will be up against today, in terms of fighting for the stage victory. The Dutch rider took over the race lead when he was third into his home town yesterday and also believes that he could fare very well today.
“It’s a fairly short and explosive stage, so that suits me,” he stated. “Moreover, there are some climbs in the beginning, and I like that. After the Tour I’m very strong uphill.”