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Diamond Tour
Preview |
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Racing returns to Belgium after a
two week break for the Diamond Tour. The race also serves as
the 6th and penultimate round of the Lotto Cycling Cup. Held
at the same time as Emakumeen Euskal Bira and the new Frauen
Grand Prix Gippingen but has still attracted six UCI teams,
plus a Bigla mix team.
Lotto Cycling Cup Recap
With just two rounds left the race is on to take the overall
victory.
Sofie De Vuyst leads the Individual classification on 138
points ahead of Liesbet De Vocht. In the Points Classification
Annelies Dom has 30 points ahead of Johansson on 21. Dom will
race and look to secure the win. The Mountains Classification
remains controlled by Emma Johansson on 26 ahead of Jessie
Daams and Lizzie Armitstead. None of the top 3 are riding and
with no points on offer the standings will remain the same.
Thanks to consistently strong performances
Futurumshoip.nl-Zannata has a 36 point advantage on Hitec who
are not racing. Wiggle Honda and Boels Dolmans sit 3rd and 4th
both on 107 points. Expect to see a strong ride as they look
to head in to the final round with an even bigger lead.
The Route
Profile (Finishing Circuits)
Final 3km
The race starts off with a long opening 40km loop before six
shorter 14.2km finishing circuits. There are no categorised
climbs in the race but it is far from flat. The finishing
circuits are constantly up and down (see profile above). While
not overly hilly as we are seeing in other races this weekend,
the two main climbs in the middle of the circuit present an
opportunity for attacking. The short climbs may start to put
riders under pressure especially on the final lap. The final
3km are essentially plan flat making for an exciting sprint
finish if a group comes to the line together.
There are three sprint points each offering €75, €50 and €25
for the first 3 as well as points in the overall
classification.
The Contenders
Provisional Start List
here
As mentioned earlier with many teams off at Emakumeen Euskal
Bira the start list is not as strong as it could be. But the
field assembled is still strong and presents a opportunity for
others to shine.
Liesbet De Vocht
At 35 one of the most experienced riders and one that always
performs in the classics especially on home roads in Belgium.
6 Top 10 finishes this year including 3rd Trofee Maarten
Wynants in May and 8th Gooik-Geraardsbergen-Gooik two weeks
ago. The undulating route suits her and will be dangerous for
the win from a small group.
Jolien D'Hoore
Splits her time between the track and the road but has stepped
up to another level on the road this year. Hasn't raced as
much as others due to track commitments but has been
consistently around the top 10. Started the year with 7th
overall in Qatar. Since then has taken 2nd at Cholet Pays de
Loire, Ronde van Gelderland and Dwars door de Westhoek. Has
been close but the win has eluded her, don't be surprised if
it comes here. Like many took her mid season break in May.
Returned at Gooik-Geraardsbergen-Gooik and only managed 39th.
Might yet take some time to return to her best form.
Kelly Druyts
Still just 24 but is now in her 7th year in the peloton all
spent with what is now called the Topsport Vlaanderen-Pro-Duo
squad. Has finished on the podium at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and
a consistent finishing at the Belgium National Championships.
Generally around the top 10 in Belgium races. Only two UCI
races this year 14th at Trofee Maarten Wynants and 7th at
Gooik-Geraardsbergen-Gooik against a very strong field.
Kaat Hannes
Like Kelly Druyts has spent her entire career with Topsport
Vlaanderen-Pro-Duo. Hannes is another rider from the team who
could produce a strong result. 6 top 20 finishes this year
including 8th at Trofee Maarten Wynants that had a similar
field.
Sofie de Vuyst
Outside of Armitstead and Johansson, de Vuyst was the most
impressive rider in the early season classics. In the opening
weekend of racing in Belgium was top 6 in all three one day
races. Her consistency has kept her in or around the top 20 in
most races since. 9th at Boels Rental Hills Classic and 11th
Gooik-Geraardsbergen-Gooik two weeks go in a sign her form is
still there. A strong performance here could see her take that
first win.
Mascha Pijnenborg
A consistent season lead to 5th at Gracia Orlova and 24th at
The Women's Tour against the world's best. 11th and 13th at
Rabobank 7-Dorpenomloop Aalburg and Boels Rental Hills
Classic. The route may not be quite as hilly as she would like
however.
Peta Mullens
Has spent the past few weeks racing on the dirt and after
being selected for the Commonwealth Games returns to the road
with Wiggle-Honda. The team itself hasn't raced since China
and will hope to come back on a strong note. A fast sprinter
who is always in the mix at races in Australia is backed by
Emily Collins, Rochelle Gilmore and Charlotte Becker.
Emily Collins
Broke through to take the win at Omloop van het Hageland last
year in a sign of what is to come. More often than not finds
herself riding in a support role but Collins is a quick
sprinter herself. Handles the climbs well and could be a name
to watch in a sprint finish.
Nina Kessler
Kessler's consistency could pay off here. Has been in the top
10 in six one day races plus a stage of the Tour of Chongming
Island. A fast finisher who can handle shorter climbs.
Finished 7th at Rabobank 7-Dorpenomloop Aalburg in a sign her
form is good.
Hannah Walker
Rides for Epic Scott WRT in the UK. The team makes their
second trip to continental Europe for a UCI race this season.
Walker was part of the team that rode Trofee Maarten Wynants
in mid May. Finishing 5th in the bunch sprint for 7th overall
was a impressive result. A harder race this time but if Walker
can navigate the undulating circuit another top 10 finish is
within reach.
Vera Koedooder
Koedooder attacks and attacks until she finds herself in the
break. And when she does they often go to the line. Part of a
two rider move on Stage 2 of Energiewacht Tour before she went
solo and took the stage and the race lead. The way she rides
normally sees her pick up a few wins a year thanks to a good
finish.
Other names to watch: Evelyn Arys, Daniela Gass, Valerie
Demey, Sanne Cant, Annelies Van Doorslaer, Grace Verbeke,
Charlotte Becker, Kim de Baat, Natalie van Gogh, Sanne van
Paassen, Molly Weaver, Taryn Heather and Martina Zwick. |
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