Lieke Nooijen takes control of Eneco Tour time trial in Tilburg
Team Visma-Lease a Bike rider Lieke Nooijen won the 13.6-kilometer individual time trial in Tilburg during the second stage of the 2026 Eneco Tour, covering the flat route at an average speed of 46.5 km/h. Nooijen clocked a winning time of 16:56,41, finishing 20 seconds ahead of Nienke Vinke of Team SD Worx-Protime. The victory earned Nooijen the orange leader’s jersey heading into the final three stages of the race.
Viktória Chladoňová secures top-ten finish on the flat course
Slovak cyclist Viktória Chladoňová finished tenth in the Tilburg time trial, marking a significant turnaround from her performance in the opening prologue. The 19-year-old Visma-Lease a Bike rider found the longer, flat route far more suited to her strengths than the technical prologue in The Hague. Chladoňová started 55th out of 88 riders and briefly sat in the leader’s hot seat after beating the time set by Austrian champion Christina Schweinberger of Fenix-Premier Tech. She crossed the finish line 35,31 seconds behind her winning teammate.
Standings shift after the Tilburg time trial
The individual test shook up the general classification and the youth rankings. Chladoňová vaulted from 33rd to 13th overall, sitting 56 seconds back from Nooijen. In the under-23 youth classification, Chladoňová climbed to third place, 25 seconds behind leader Nienke Vinke and just one second behind Talia Appleton of Liv AlUla Jayco. Meanwhile, Sandrine Tas of Lotto-Intermarché dropped to second in the overall standings, trailing Nooijen by 20 seconds.
Thriving against the clock! ⏱️Lieke Nooijen takes back the leader’s jersey at the Eneco Tour as she claims victory on Stage 2! pic.twitter.com/COIJxBsxmh
Crosswinds challenge riders on the opening kilometers
Riders faced a 15 km/h wind that blew directly against them during the first three kilometers of the route. Nooijen had Charlotte Kool of Fenix-Premier Tech ahead of her on the course and approached her. When you see a competitor in front of you and you reduce the gap, it always motivates you even more,
Nooijen said after the stage.
Limburg climbs and the VAM-berg await the peloton
Three stages remain in the Eneco Tour, shifting the challenge from flat speed tests to punchy climbs. The race heads into Limburg before tackling the VAM-berg ahead of Sunday’s final finish. Nooijen holds a 20-second advantage over Tas but warned that the upcoming terrain will test her Visma-Lease a Bike squad. We have a strong team with whom we can prepare a good plan, but during the whole race we must remain attentive,
Nooijen said.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Eneco Tour stage
What was Viktória Chladoňová’s time trial speed and finish time?
Chladoňová completed the 13.6-kilometer course at an average speed of 46.5 km/h, finishing tenth overall with a deficit of 35,31 seconds behind the winning time.
How does Chladoňová stand in the youth classification?
She sits third in the under-23 standings, trailing leader Nienke Vinke by 25 seconds and second-placed Talia Appleton by a single second.
Who held the overall lead before the Tilburg time trial?
Sandrine Tas of Lotto-Intermarché held the leader’s jersey entering the second stage before surrendering it to stage winner Lieke Nooijen.
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