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Boels Rental Hills Classic
Preview |
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After a nearly a week of no UCI
races the women's peloton is back in action with the Boels
Rental Hills Classic. As the name suggests the race is packed
with hills. Lots of them. There is little in the way of flat
roads on the undulating course.
There are 80 points on offer for the winner and points for the
top 18 riders. With six races over the weekend Boels Rental
Hills Classic kicks off a busy period for the peloton. Six of
the top 10 teams are here including the top 3 Rabo Liv,
Orica-AIS and Boels Dolmans. Defending Champion Ashleigh
Moolman and her new Hitec Products squad are here to defend.
2013 Review
The hilly course proved a race of attrition with 15 riders
left at the finish. Ashleigh Moolman took the win ahead of
Lizzie Armitstead and Annemiek Van Vleuten. The first big
group crossed 4:24 down and the final group at 8:29.
The Route
There are 14 climbs in the race including the famous cauberg.
Riders will tackle the first climb the Adsteeg (700m at 5%
average) after just 7.6km. For a full list of climbs see
below. The cauberg is the penultimate climb that tops out with
around 6 kilometres remaining. The Cauberg (1.5km at 4.7%
average) starts off at 2% before gradually rising to 12%
towards the middle before flattening off again towards the
top. After a quick descent riders will tackle the 1.2km
Geulhemberg (4.6% average) to the finish.
7.6km Adsteeg (0.7km at 5% average)
15.7km Lange raarberg (1.7km at 3.9% average)
26.5km Hellenbeuk (0.5km at 5.5% average)
32.9km Bergseweg (2.2km at 3.4% average)
40.6km Eyersbosweg (1.1km at 7.3% average)
43.9km Kruishoeveweg (0.6km at 7.6% average)
55.7km Gulpenerberg (2.6km at 2.2% average)
64.3km Camerig (3.1km at 4.7% average)
82.9km Camerig (3.1km at 4.7% average)
99.3km Eperheide (2.1km at 4.7% average)
104.8km Peimert (0.9% at 6.3% average)
108.9km Mheerelindje (0.6km at 7.7% average)
122.7km Cauberg (1.5km at 4.7% average)
125km Geulhemerberg (1.2km at 4.6% average)
The Contenders
Provisional Start List available
here
Ashleigh Moolman
The defending Champion has had a solid 2014 so far. Defended
her South African National Championship titles in both the
road race and time trial. Finished 2nd at Le Samyn and 5th
Flèche Wallonne Féminine. A strong climber with a fast finish
from a small group. If a similar situation to last year
happens Moolman is in with a good chance to win again.
Elisa Longo Borghini
Seven top 10 finishes this year including 6th Trofeo Alfredo
Binda, 4th Ronde van Vlaanderen and 3rd at Flèche Wallonne
Féminine. A strong climber who is likely to be there at the
finish. With Defending Champion Moolman the faster in a sprint
expect her to support Moolman.
Lucinda Brand
Finished in the front group last year in 10th with 4
teammates. Won a stage and the overall at the Energiewacht
Tour in early April. As the current Dutch National Champion
expect her to put in a strong ride on home roads.
Annemiek van Vleuten
Won in 2012 and was third last year. Van Vleuten is always up
there especially in races with a great deal of undulation. Was
2nd at Ronde van Drenthe, 4th Trofeo Alfredo Binda, 6th Ronde
van Vlaanderen and 12th Flèche Wallonne Féminine. Won Dwars
door de Westhoek at the end of April then took a solo stage
and the overall at he Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs.
Ellen van Dijk
Van Dijk was 5th last year. Made the move to Boels-Dolmans
over the off season and has so far delivered a string of good
results. 6 top 10 finishes so far including an impressive solo
win at Ronde van Vlaanderen and 10th at Flèche Wallonne
Féminine. Finished 2nd in a time trial this week in a sign van
Dijk is not on top form.
Jessie Daams
Daams turned 24 on Wednesday this week and is a very strong
climber. Just one professional win to her name, a stage at the
Internationale Thuringen Rundfahrt but that isn't a full
indication of her talent. 7th at Omloop van het Hageland and
more recently 10th at Trofee Maarten Wynants in mid may.
Finished 8th last year and could well improve on that and even
give herself a late birthday present with the win.
Claudia Hausler
One of the strongest climbers in the peloton. Had a strong
2012 with Orica-AIS and 2013 with Tibco taking 3rd in the Giro
Rosa (won in 2009). Joined Giant-Shimano to give the team a GC
option but has been relatively quiet. With upcoming races more
suited expect to see Hausler in contention. Finished 9th at
Fleche Wallonne Féminine.
Emma Johansson
Johansson is the Queen of Consistency. If she is in a race
there is a very strong chance she will be in the top 10 or on
the podium. Four wins so far this year including stage 1 of
The Women's Tour where she out sprinted Vos. When on form
short sharp climbs are made for Johansson and she packs one of
the fastest finishes outside the pure sprinters. 6th last
year.
Gracie Elvin
The Australian National Champion has a fast finish and is
strong on shorter climbs. Often rides in a support role but
could get an opportunity here. Has been strong the past two
months with 9th overall at the Energiewacht Tour, 7th EPZ
Omloop van Borsele and 17th at The Women's Tour.
Sofie de Vuyst
One of the top riders in the early classics. Finished top 10
at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Le Samyn, Omloop van het Hageland,
Gent-Wevelgem and most recently 9th at Trofee Maarten Wynants.
In a sprint from a small group de Vuyst will be a name to
watch.
Liesbet De Vocht
At 35 De Vocht is one of the most experienced riders in the
peloton. Five top 10 finishes this year including 7th at Ronde
van Vlaanderen.
Other names to watch: Lauren Kitchen, Thalita De Jong, Sabrina
Stultiens, Amy Pieters, Loes Gunnewijk, Doris Schweizer,
Susanna Zorzi, Jacqueline Hahn and Jo Hogan. |
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