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Junior Women's Road Race Preview |
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A relatively small field of 15
riders lines up for the road race at the Junior National
Championships. Last year 14 of 24 riders finished showing the
high attrition rate.
The Route
Riders will face two laps of a hilly 39.32km route. Each lap
contains three main climbs. The opening 12km are on a gradual
downhill before the first climb of the day. At an average
gradient of 2% it is far from the steepest climb but at 9.73km
in length is covers over a third of the lap. After a brief
descent the field will tackle the second climb (4.1km at 3%).
There is not much of a descent before the final climb of the
day (2.51km at 2.4%). The climb tops out with just over 5km to
go. Most of the rest of the lap is downhill other than the
final 500m with a steep kick up to the finish.
Profile can be seen
here
The Contenders
Alex Manly
Manly is arguably the best climber in the field and finished
3rd last year and 8th on the hilly World Championships course
in Italy. Two top 10 overall finishes in the NRS this year
with 4th Mersey Valley Tour and 9th Jarvis Subaru Adelaide
Tour. The hilly nature of the course suits Manly, although she
probably wishes the gradient of the climbs were a little
higher. Has a strong finish but there are others who are
faster. Will probably look to get away on a climb and time
trial to the finish. Despite being in the middle of
preparation for Track World Championships finished third in
the time trial.
Anna-Leeza Hull
Despite being a first year U19 Hull put in a dominating
display to easily win the time trial. A strong climber who was
mixing it with Ruth Corest at the Mersey Valley Tour in May.
Looked set for a podium finish before a crash on the final
stage saw her forced to abandon. Finished a very solid 3rd at
the Battle on the Border two weeks later. Likely be the
biggest threat to Manly and without having spent time
preparing for track worlds could have an edge.
Macey Stewart
Stewart packs a very fast finish, if it comes down to a sprint
from a large of small group she will be the name to watch.
Climbs well and the climbs are not overly steep giving Stewart
a good chance at the win. Showed her form was good with a
Silver medal in the time trial. Finished in the front group
last year for 5th.
Other names to watch: Josie Talbot, Lauren Perry, Hollee
Simons and Dani McKinnirey.
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