Dutch Tour riders are almost all certain: "The Netherlands will make it to the European Championship final!"

Guys, guys, what a delightful sports summer 2024 brings! Besides the Tour de France (Femmes), we also have the Olympic Games and the European Football Championship on the sports menu. The latter event is currently in full swing, so IDLProCycling.com asked various Dutch riders in the Tour peloton if they are also following it a bit!

Let's start with three Dutch riders from dsm-firmenich PostNL, the team of the opening weekend. Are Bram Welten, Fabio Jakobsen, and Nils Eekhoff fans of the Dutch national team? "I follow the European Championship very closely. I've even watched everything," stated Welten, the first person we approached with the question. "After a stage, it's always nice to relax and watch football. It's fun in our team, especially with John Degenkolb. He's a passionate German! Then there are also Romain Bardet and Warren Barguil, the two French riders. We discuss it regularly."

Jakobsen predicts a final for the Dutch national team

"I think the Netherlands will definitely reach the final," Welten expressed hopefully. "They have a good draw, so that helps. I always have it on, and Fabio certainly watches with me." Jakobsen, his roommate, confirmed this. "Yes, I find the European Championship quite interesting. I follow the matches. Not all of them, of course, but definitely the ones with the Netherlands. Together with Bram, we try to watch it as often as possible. Where will the Netherlands end up? Hmm... I would say in the final... And then I hope we win, haha!"

And Eekhoff? He had to share a room with the enthusiastic Degenkolb (Germany has since been eliminated..., editor's note). "I myself watch a bit less football, but I do keep an eye on it when John has the television on," said the 26-year-old Dutchman. "I've never followed football very closely. When national teams play, I find it interesting. I follow it a bit more then, but I wouldn't say I'm a big fan. I know who they're playing against, but that's about it."

Then there are the two Dutch riders within Jayco-AlUla, Elmar Reinders and the man in a winning mood, Dylan Groenewegen. "Actually, everyone on the team watches football when it's on. The Dutch riders in our team are quite enthusiastic. I guess the Netherlands will also reach the final," Reinders was optimistic about the Dutch national team. "It depends a bit on the opponent, but I think they have a good chance of winning."

Groenewegen wouldn't get too far ahead of himself just yet

Groenewegen was cautious not to get ahead of himself. "I do watch all matches of the Dutch national team for sure. It's just that when you're in the Tour, it doesn't always fit perfectly. However, in the evening, you can always catch up or so. Or if you've finished, you can put something on in the bus. Provided you have reception, of course, haha! That's always the question. Giving a prediction is tough for me. Let's just hope they can win again and go further. Taking it step by step seems to be the best approach."

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Groenewegen already has a stage win in his pocket!

We stuck with the sprinters, as even the unfortunate Marijn van den Berg - racing for EF Education-EasyPost - briefly shared his thoughts on the European Championship. "Yes, yes! I follow the Euros, I try to watch whenever possible. Where will we end up? Just winning, right? Why not, let's stay positive, huh!" he quipped with a wink.

Danny van Poppel, the Red Bull BORA-hansgrohe sprinter who isn't allowed to sprint in this Tour, isn't much of a football fan. "But still, I do follow it a bit. Every now and then I watch the Dutch national team, although during the Tour de France we don't have much time for that. I'm not expert enough to judge how far the Netherlands can go."

Poels fan of "Vandaag Inside"

Let's conclude with two always cheerful riders, Mike Teunissen and Wout Poels. "It's really tough to follow it. Usually after the stage, we still have an hour bus ride, get massaged, and visit the osteopath. Then we eat, and it's already past nine. So, it's very difficult to catch up with other things," said Teunissen, who hopes for the Netherlands to go far for several reasons.

"I have a German (Georg Zimmerman) and a Frenchman (Hugo Page) on the team, so it would be nice if one of those countries reaches the final and we beat them, of course! Otherwise, I'll hear about it all the time," he explained. "When France beat Belgium, they were already teasing each other. We need to prevent that from a Dutch perspective. It can really set the mood, yes!"

"I always watch 'Vandaag Inside' every night," Poels confided in us. "It's easy TV to follow and I can have a good laugh. It's enjoyable. Netherlands is doing well now, so that makes it extra fun. Reaching the final? It will be difficult, but it would be super nice!"