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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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