Benelux Tour
The Eneco Tour of Benelux is a UCI ProTour road bicycle racing stage-race. Its name refers to its main sponsor, the energy company Eneco Energie. The first Eneco Tour of Benelux took place from August 3 to August 10 2005
History
The Tour of the Netherlands began on 6 May 1948, but only became an annual event in 1975. From about 2000 it was known as the Eneco tour. The start of the UCI's ProTour in 2005 saw the faltering tour reorganised and reinvigorated.
Organization
The ENECO Tour continues the faltering Tour of the Netherlands, which UCI president Hein Verbruggen deemed necessary for marketing reasons. The Dutch Tour organisation got a better sponsor (ENECO Energie). But because the race was not difficult enough, it could not be accepted into the new ProTour. At that point the organisation sought help from the organisation of the Tour of Belgium and the Tour de Luxembourg. They envisaged a Tour of the Benelux that would replace the three. This led to the Tour of Belgium as a co-organiser. The Tours of Belgium and Luxembourg will continue as such. The co-organisation or incorporation of the Tour de Luxembourg did not materialize. In a few years, the name will officially become the Tour of the Benelux.
Winners
General classification
The overall winner of the race by time wears a white jersey (Dutch: Witte trui or French: Maillot blanc).
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Points classification
In 2005, the overall winner of the race by points (Dutch: Puntenklassement) wears a blue jersey (Dutch: Blauwe trui or French: Maillot bleu). This was changed to a white jersey however in 2006. In 2008 it changed again, to red.
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Mountains classification
No jersey is awarded for leading this classification, but the winner does get a financial reward
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Young rider classification
Before 2007, the best young (under 25) rider of the race got to wear a yellow jersey. (Dutch: Gele trui or French: Maillot jaune).
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Team classification
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Most Stage Wins