Thursday 26 April 2012 - 19:40

Niki Terpstra Selected to Dutch Olympic Team

Niki Terpstra Selected to Dutch Olympic Team

Olympic coach Leo van Vliet announced on Wednesday the selection of Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Niki Terpstra for the Dutch road race team that will compete in the London 2012 Olympics.

"Of course, the Olympics is a special event," Terpstra said. "It's nice to already know I am going, so from now on I can look to this date and train for it and do a perfect preparation."

Terpstra was the first rider selected to the Dutch team.

"It's already really nice to be selected, but it's not a victory," Terpstra said. "You have to earn that selection, so in that way it's nice to be selected."

Leo van Vliet told CyclingNews he chose Terpstra because the road race course is suited for riders who are strong in the Classics. Terpstra has been a key rider for some of Tom Boonen's record setting Classics victories, and he also won Dwars door Vlaanderen-Waregem solo.

"I haven't seen the course yet, I only know the story from the people who have already been on the course," Terpstra said. "They say it's for the Classics riders and I have done very well in the Classics this year, so probably this is good for me."




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