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BeNe Ladies Tour
Preview |
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The BeNe Ladies Tour is a new
race on the calendar for 2014. Three stages over two days held
during one of the busiest periods on the calendar. The race
clashes with both Internationale Thüringen Rundfahrt der
Frauen and Tour de Bretagne Féminin meaning teams had to pick
one to start. The top teams are split between Thüringen
Rundfahrt and here. The World Number 1 and her Orica-AIS squad
are here as 4th ranked Giant-Shimano and the strong Hitec
Products and Lotto Belisol Ladies teams. 25 teams in total
consisting of 11 UCI teams, two national teams with the
remaining 12 club teams.
The Route
Being a new race, riders won’t know exactly what to expect but
there are two flat road stages and a short flat individual
time trial. There are bonus seconds on offer at intermediate
sprints and the finish. While the ITT is relatively short it
is likely to be the deciding factor in the race. A
complicating factor is the addition of a number of cobbled
sections on both road stages. The strong classics riders will
no doubt look to take advantage of this.
Stage 1
There is some very minor undulation in the first 40km with two
'climbs' though uncategorised. Before reaching the finishing
circuits rider will also tackle two 700m stretches of cobbles
at 31.8km and 36.9km. The stage finishes with two laps of a
20.8km circuit that is essentially pan flat. With a 1,200m
cobble section on the finishing circuit the strong classics
riders could use this to try and break the race up. Especially
as it comes just 8km to the finish. A sprint finish is not
certain due to the cobbles especially if a team like Orica-AIS
takes it up.
Stage 2A
The final day starts with a morning ITT. At 9.6km the gaps
will not be huge but will open up the GC. It is almost
completely flat and one for the specialist. That said while
there are a number of strong time trialists here most of the
big names are at Thüringen Rundfahrt.
Stage 2B
After the morning time trial the race concludes with another
flat road stage of 86.1km. Again starting with a large opening
loop containing seven cobble sectors.
Cobble Sectors
6.8km Timmermansweg 1300m
16.1km Casteleynstraat 1200m
21.0km Kasseiweg 600m
26.1km Timmermansweg 550m
28.2km Smokkelweg 1550
32.3km Boekhouteweg 650m
40.0km Gezustersstraat 150m
The race finishes with three laps of a finishing circuit. With
4km to the finish of each lap there is a 650m long cobbled
section in Boekhouteweg. Those who do not have a fast finish
will look to distance the pure sprinters.
The Classifications
General Classification
There are bonus seconds on offer on both road stages (not in
the time trial).
Stage 1
2 Intermediate Sprint 3-2-1
Finish: 10-6-4
Stage 2B
1 Intermediate Sprint: 3-2-1
Finish: 6-4-2
Points Classification
Road Stages:
Intermediate Sprint: 5-3-1
Finish: 20-15-12-10-8-6-4-3-2-1
Time Trial
Finish: 10-6-4-2-1
Young Rider Classification
Open to riders born after January 1st 1991.
The Contenders
General Classification
Emma Johansson
Johansson is the favourite. Can sprint and time trial with the
best of them and is at home on the cobbles. Spends much of her
early season in Belgium training for the spring classics. It would not be a
surprise to see Johansson win the time trial, with her biggest
competition probably coming from within her own team. Johansson is
likely to pick up bonus seconds at both intermediate and
finish sprints. The inclusion of cobbles close to the finish
makes the race even more in her favour. Backed by a very
strong team including classics specialist Loes Gunnewijk. Her
10th place at the Giro Rosa may not seem like she was on good
form but her 10th place actually proves she was flying on
roads that are not her strength.
Loes Gunnewijk
Orica-AIS's road captain and one of the most experienced
riders in the peloton is at home on the cobbles. Spends a lot
of time supporting her team but she is likely to come away
with a strong result for herself as well here. Strong in the
time trial and will be a name to watch there. Orica-AIS
doesn’t come with a pure sprinter so expect to see Gunnewijk
and Johansson look to tear the race apart on the cobbles.
Shara Gillow
One of only two people to beat World Champion Ellen van Dijk
in a time trial last year. Gillow is a time trialist and a
climber. The flat cobble roads are not her favourite and
Gillow rides very few of the spring classics. Still if she
avoids losing time by following Johansson and Gunnewijk on the
road stages will be in contention. If she is on form she will
be hard to beat in the time trial. While it is short at 10km
should be able to build herself an advantage to contend for
the overall win.
Liesbet De Vocht
Another of the peloton’s most experienced riders, especially
in the classics. Twice the Belgium National Champion and
always picks up a number of top 10 finishes in the spring
classics. Took 7th at both Ronde van Vlaanderen and Gent
Wevelgem this year. The time trial will hurt her chances for a
strong overall result but at less than 10km might be able to
limit her loses to finish inside the top 10.
Jolien D'Hoore
D'Hoore splits her time between the track and the road but has
stepped up to another level this season. Has a very fast
finish and is developing in to a strong classics rider. Podium
finishes at Ronde van Gelderland and Dwars door de Westhoek
where she was mixing it with names like Wild, Garner, Hoskins
and Johansson. The Belgium Champion will be keen to show off
the jersey on home roads. Her track background will help her
in the time trial but the timed events have not been her
strength. If she can minimise her losses time bonuses could
keep her in contention.
Amy Pieters
Has two wins this year including the opening classic Omloop
Het Nieuwsblad. Packs a very fast finish that should see her
fighting for the win on stage 1 and 2B. The cobbles are
unlikely to trouble her and should be able to go with the
likes of Johansson and De Vocht. Again the time trial will
hurt her overall chances.
Vera Koedooder
Koedooder is known for her attacking racing and it sees her
pick up a few wins a year. Here though we could again see her
chasing a top overall result. Took a stage and 2nd overall at
the Energiewacht Tour in April and held the lead for much of
the race at the recent Tour de Feminin before slipping to 3rd
on the final day. Very strong in the time trial could well
finish on the overall podium.
Lauren Hall
Took a bit of a surprise win at Gent-Wevelgem in March and
finished 9th overall at the Women's Tour against some of the
best in the World. Reasonably strong against the clock but has
limited experienced racing at this level.
Leah Kirchman
A strong sprinter and time trialist, Kirchman could prove a
genuine threat for overall victory here. The dual Canadian
Champion also won the White Spot / Delta Road Race last week.
4th at EPZ Omloop van Borsele and 12 at The Women's Tour were
her best early season results. Hasn't spent a lot of time in
Europe but she often rides the early season classics giving
her experience on this sort of terrain.
Megan Guarnier
Just off a top 10 finish at the Giro Rosa but Guarnier is also
a very strong classics rider. Finished 14th at Omloop Het
Nieuwsblad this year, then 8th at Ronde van Vlaanderen. Will
be full of confidence after the Giro and could spring a
surprise especially if she can produce a strong time trial.
Other names to watch: Monique van de Ree, Kaat
Hannes, Kelly Druyts, Latoya Brulee, Amy Charity and Abigail
Mickey.
Sprinters
Lucy Garner
The talented Garner was disappointed with her performance at the
GB National Championships. Had a difficult Giro Rosa riding in
support of Claudia Hausler but still managed to take a top 10
on stage 5. When she is on form she can sprint with the best
of them. Despite still being 19 won a stage of the Tour of
Chongming Island last year and has been on the podium at
Molecaten Drentse 8, Grand Prix de Dottignies and Dwars door
de Westhoek this year. If she is at the finish contesting the
win on the road stages will be a name to watch.
Emma Johansson
Not a pure sprinter but sprints with the best of them. Three
top 10 finishes at the Giro Rosa and has actually beat
Marianne Vos in a sprint this year. That tells you just how
fast she can be. Would prefer a slightly harder finish but
with cobbles close to the finish on both stages the group may
be small giving Johansson a better chance.
Chloe Hosking
Beat Kirsten Wild to win EPZ Omloop van Borsele back in April
showing she has the speed. Was disappointed at the Giro Rosa
after bad luck kept her out of contention on a number of
stages. Finished 5th on stage 5 though and with the
Commonwealth Games coming up will be looking to find her best
form. Handles the cobbles well.
Jolien D'Hoore
A fast finisher but not quite up their with the best names in
the world. Finished top 3 at Ronde van Gelderland and Dwars
door de Westhoek where she was mixing it with names like Wild,
Garner, Hoskins and Johansson. On home roads expect her to be
motivated.
Other names to watch: Jessie MacLean, Amy Pieters and Leah
Kirchman. |
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