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A Grand Départ in the Netherlands is a natural fit for a race dominated by the Dutch
the most dominant nation in women’s cycling so it is fitting that it’ll host the first outside France. The riders will race the first three stages in the Netherlands, beginning with a flat 124km stage from Rotterdam to The Hague before another first: a double day featuring a 67km road stage and a 6.3km individual time trial, all based around Rotterdam. Of course, with the flat, open roads in this region comes the danger of crosswinds which, alongside the time trial, could make for crucial GC stages. With both of the previous yellow jerseys having been won by Dutch women (Annemiek van Vleuten and Demi Vollering) and other Dutch riders such as Marianne Vos and
