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03/09 Stage 1 | Altrincham - Manchester (161.6 km) KOOIJ Olav
04/09 Stage 2 | Wrexham - Wrexham (109.9 km)
05/09 Stage 3 | Goole - Beverley (154.7 km)
06/09 Stage 4 | Sherwood Forest - Newark-on-Trent (166.6 km)
07/09 Stage 5 | Felixstowe - Felixstowe (192.4 km)
08/09 Stage 6 | Southend-on-Sea - Harlow (146.2 km)
09/09 Stage 7 | Tewkesbury - Gloucester (170.9 km)
10/09 Stage 8 | Margam Country Park - Caerphilly (166.8 km)
Another sprint stage on day 2 - I'm thinking Kooij is the favourite for this one as well, if they're not going to try for van Aert due to bonus seconds. The only real alternative seems to be Bennet, mainly because of van Poppel as a leadout.
There are no bonus seconds on offer, so that makes the decision easier.
Other than that, your assessment seems pretty accurate.
Four wins out of four for Kooij so far, looking good to wrap up the remaining two sprint stages as well.
Can anyone challenge van Aert over the weekend?
Tbh this has been a dreadful race to follow. The Tour of Yorkshire was so so much better.
Something different today (stage 5) at least!
Yeah, I've not watched much of it, but doesn't seem to have been particularly interesting.
Hopefully the weekend stages will have some good racing.