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Boels Rental Ladies Tour
Preview |
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As one of the final races ahead
of the World Championships and a last chance to stake a claim
on national selection expect to see strong competition at
Boels Rental Ladies Tour. Last year despite a 32km TTT the
final top 5 on GC were filled by riders from five different
teams. This year the TTT has been removed and replaced with a
short 10km individual time trial to open the race.
The race offers something for everyone, several stages for the
sprinters, a time trial and hilly final stage to sort out the
general classification.
Past Results
2013 - Ellen van Dijk
2012 - Marianne Vos
2011 - Marianne Vos
2010 - Marianne Vos
2009 - Marianne Vos
2008 - Charlotte Becker
2007 - Kristin Armstrong
2006 - Susanne Ljungskog
2005 - Tanja Schmidt-Hennes
2004 - Mirjam Melchers
2003 - Susanne Ljungskog
2002 - Debby Mansveld
2001 - Petra Rossner
2000 - Mirjam Melchers
1999 - Leontien van Moorsel
1998 - Elsbeth Vink
2013 Results
1 Ellen van Dijk
2 Annemiek van Vleuten +1:05
3 Lizzie Armitstead +1:11
4 Tatiana Guderzo +1:50
5 Claudia Hausler +2:17
6 Trixi Worrack +2:22
7 Anna van der Breggen +2:28
8 Chantal Blaak +3:21
9 Megan Guarnier +3:59
10 Katarzyna Niewiadoma +4:01
The Route
Stage 1 (ITT)
The race starts with a flat 10.1km individual time trial. Run
along the river in the Tiel, most of the route is strait with
only a few turns allowing the strong time trialists to put the
power down.
Stage 2
Bonus Sprint at 42 and 86km.
GPM
Rooyensteinse brug at 59km
Stage 3
Bonus Sprint at 29.2km and 121km
Stage 4
Bonus sprint at 31.6km and 104.5km
GPM
De Hollewg at 49.5km
Tivoli 62.9km
De Zevenheuvelenweg 65.5km
Stage 5
Bonus sprint at 65km and 91.4km
GPM
Oude Holle weg at 32.4km
Stage 6
The final stage will likely prove to be the biggest shake up
on GC with two passes of the famous Cauberg. Think Amstel Gold
Race, World Championships (most recently as 2012) and is
frequently in other races including Olympia's Tour and Eneco
Tour.
Six categorised climbs on the stage, with five coming in the
first half of the race. The first ascent of the Cauberg comes
at the 51.8km, after four other climbs in the first half. The
final ascent comes at 96.7km, just six kilometres to the
finish. The final kilometre of the race is also uphill at 5.8%
Bonus sprint at 56.6km and 86.3km
GPM
Helleveukerweg 15.6km
Eyserbosweg 30.7km
Driekrulshoeveweg 33.6km
Dodemanweg 42km
Cauberg 51.8km
Cauberg 96.7km
The Contenders
Ellen van Dijk
Won the race last year in no small part to the time
Specialized-lululemon gained in the TTT but van Dijk was
always up the front. With the addition of an individual time
trial this year based on previous years form you would put her
down as the favourite. There have been few time trials this
year but van Dijk hasn't won one, not even the Dutch National
Championship. Still a name to watch but with the form of
Lizzie Armitstead she may be the better option for the team.
Lizzie Armitstead
Has had an exceptional year, fulfilling the promise many
thought she could with the overall World Cup win. I have said
it many times though wins are still hard to come by. Despite
her success this year just four wins, far below the likes of
Vos, Wild and Johansson. Her climbing is now her best asset as
her sprint is not what it used to be. From reduced groups will
be dangerous but beating Vos will not be easy.
Jessie Daams
Daams usually plays the role of a domestique but on this
terrain can be a leader in her own right. With van Dijk and
Armitstead on the team may again play a support role. Finished
11th last year but eighth on the final stage is where she was
at her best.
Marianne Vos
Vos has won the race four times (2009-12), though skipped the
race last year. Returns this year to try and make it five and
you wouldn't bet against her. Since starting her season she
has been flying and has 20 wins, that number would probably be
significantly higher if she hadn't supported her teammates in
quite a few races this year. No matter the terrain it is hard
to beat her and has been working on her time trial.
Katarzyna Niewiadoma
Finished 10th last year when riding as a stagiaire. Took her
first professional win at Frauen Grand Prix Gippingen earlier
in the year. Part of a strong Rabo squad at the Giro Rosa,
finishing just outside the top ten in 11th. Her form is good
coming in off third and best young rider at the Ladies Tour of
Norway. Will lose time in the ITT but will be able to regain
some on the final stage.
Evelyn Stevens
Won a stage and the overall at Internationale Thüringen
Rundfahrt and the Philadelphia Cycling Classic this year. Will
look for a strong performance in the ITT and hope to hold that
advantage. The final stage with the frequent climbing will
suit her style.
Lisa Brennauer
A quiet start to the year but since May Brennauer has been
flying with eight wins. A strong time trialist and on the
shorter climbs is one of the best. Won both stages and the
overall at Auensteiner-Radsporttage as well as the prologue
and ITT at Internationale Thüringen Rundfahrt. Should gain
time over some of the other contenders in the time trial and a
fast sprint will see her in contention for bonus seconds.
Chantal Blaak
A late attack in early March saw Blaak hold on to the win at
Molecaten Drentse 8 and a stage at Energiewacht Tour follower.
The biggest win of her career came in late August with the win
at Open de Suède Vargarda. Comes in with confidence and the
form to improve on her eighth from last year.
Emma Johansson
A rider often credited for her consistency, Johansson is
rarely far from the mark. Climbs well especially on the
shorter sharper climbs you see here and a fast sprint and
strong against the clock makes her especially suited to the
race. Nine wins this year and is backed by a strong Orica-AIS
who will be hoping to end their season on a strong note.
Melissa Hoskins
Mostly thought of as a sprinter but Hoskins' biggest
improvement this year has been on the climbs. On route to be a
strong classics contender she has been seen flying up the
climbs at the Commonwealth Games and at Open de Suède Vargarda
leading the chase for Johansson. With bonus seconds on offer
Hoskins could put herself in contention if she produces a
strong time trial. 17th last year with most of the time lost
on the final stage, could improve this year.
Claudia Lichtenberg
The former Giro winner has had a strong year, fifth Emakumeen
Euskal Bira, sixth Giro Rosa and more recently a stage and the
overall at La Route de France. Will likely find herself well
down after the time trial, but if she can limit her losses
might be able to bring herself back in to contention on the
final stage. Fifth last year.
Amy Pieters
12th last year over five minutes down but half of that was
lost in the TTT. Limiting her losses in the ITT will be the
most important part of the race for her. Generally thought of
as a sprinter but Pieters climbs well. The final stage will be
another test but was able to keep herself in close enough
contention last year, if she can again a top 10 is possible.
Tatiana Guderzo
Finished fourth last year just off the podium. Has been quiet
this year with no significant results but it is always nice to
go back to a race you have performed well at before. Won the
final stage last year in a two up sprint ahead of Annemiek Van
Vleuten. The ITT will be the biggest test.
Elisa Longo Borghini
Longo Borghini has had a very strong second half of the
season. Finished fifth at the Giro Rosa and in the past two
months has won stages and the overall at Tour de Bretagne
Féminin and Trophée d'Or Féminin. Will be one of the best on
the final stage and as the new Italian champion in the time
trial will look to show off the jersey.
Other names to watch: Megan Guarnier, Christine Majerus,
Iris Slappendel, Trixi Worrack, Karol-Ann Canuel, Shara Gillow,
Valentina Scandolara, Taryn Heather, Vera Koedooder, Joanna
Kiesanowski and Ann Sophie Duyck. |
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