ZLM Tour 2026: Sprinters Galore in Start List, Milan the Big Favorite

ZLM Tour 2026: A Start List to RememberThe ZLM Tour, scheduled in the Netherlands on September 2, 2026, promises to be one of the most anticipated events of the season for sprint enthusiasts. The start list, with 111 riders, features a stellar cast of sprinters, with WorldTour teams ready to battle on Dutch roads.The Favorites: Jonathan Milan and the Lidl-Trek ArmadaAt the top of the list of contenders is Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek). The Italian rider has shown outstanding form this season, with a string of top-tier results: a stage win at the Giro d'Italia 2026 (stage 21) and stage victories at the Tour de Pologne (stages 1, 2, and 3) and the Renewi Tour (stage 1). His sprinting power makes him the man to beat, and Lidl-Trek fields a formidable support squad with Max Walscheid, Mathias Vacek, and Jakob Söderqvist, ready to control the race and lead out their captain.However, competition is fierce. Gerben Thijssen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) is a pure sprinter, supported by a well-oiled lead-out train with Jonas Rickaert and Simon Dehairs. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe will rely on Danny Van Poppel, an experienced and fast leader, and Arne Marit, who has shown good legs with a 6th place at the Renewi Tour (stage 2) and a 2nd at the Tour of Slovenia (stage 1).Potential Surprises and OutsidersBeyond the big names, there are riders who could shake up the final sprint. Frits Biesterbos (Team Picnic PostNL) has already proven his ability in races of this level with a 4th at the Brussels Cycling Classic and a 3rd at Veenendaal-Veenendaal. Jason Tesson (TotalEnergies) is another name to watch: he won a stage at the TPC en Nouvelle-Aquitaine and took a 2nd at the Arctic Race of Norway. Jakob Söderqvist (Lidl-Trek), with a 1st at the Tour de Hongrie (stage 4), could also be a surprise card if Milan is closely marked.Tactical Analysis: Wind and Dutch PoldersThe ZLM Tour is traditionally a race for sprinters, but the wind factor in the Dutch polders could play a decisive role. Teams like Visma-Lease a Bike, with Owain Doull and Loe Van Belle, might attempt to split the peloton with echelon attacks, putting pure sprinters in difficulty. If crosswinds don't cause selection, a bunch sprint appears the most likely scenario, with Lidl-Trek holding the cards to dominate.Podium Prediction1. Jonathan Milan – The strongest sprinter present, with a team capable of controlling the race.2. Gerben Thijssen – The Alpecin train should give him an ideal position in the final 500 meters.3. Danny Van Poppel – Experience and power put him ahead of Marit in the Red Bull hierarchy.The ZLM Tour takes place in the Netherlands, a region known for its flat landscapes and wind, which often turns races into tactical battles in echelons.