It’s not only the Giro d’Italia on the schedule this weekend for Bahrain Victorious, as another young squad led by sprinter Daniel Skerl will line up tomorrow, Saturday, May 23, at the Veenendaal–Veenendaal Classic.

Held since 1985, the Dutch one-day race is one of the best-known events in the Netherlands and features winners such as Tom Boonen, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Elia Viviani and Dylan Groenewegen on its roll of honour.

Known as a true sprinters’ classic, the race traditionally rewards speed and positioning, with the iconic finish on Kerkewijk often delivering spectacular finales.

The 2026 edition will be contested on a renewed and more compact course, with both start and finish located in the centre of Veenendaal. The route runs between Veenendaal, Wageningen and Rhenen over approximately 180 km, divided into five laps.

The course includes several key features such as the exposed Rijndijk near Wageningen, where wind can influence the race, while a new hilly loop on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug adds extra difficulty with sections including the Defensieweg and the Kwintelooijen recreation area.

Bahrain Victorious Sports Director Nikolas Maes said ahead of the race:

“In a typical course for a sprinters’ showdown, we will play the card of Daniel Skerl, as a bunch sprint is highly expected. He is returning to racing after the collarbone fracture he suffered at Scheldeprijs, so we don’t fully know what to expect yet, but we want to give him the opportunity and race for a strong result.

We need to stay attentive from the start. There won’t be many WorldTour teams, so it may take time before the breakaway goes clear. Also, with little wind expected, we should anticipate a very hectic finale. Our full focus will be on positioning in the final kilometres and trying to maximise the result.”

Daniel Skerl will be supported by Alberto Bruttomesso, Max van der Meulen and Oliver Stockwell, while Development Team riders Thomas Capra and Mihajlo Stolić complete the lineup.