| |
|
|
| |
Dwars door de Westhoek
Preview |
|
| |
|
|
| |
After a number of races in the
Netherlands other than La Flèche Wallonne this week racing
returns to Belgium for the Dwars door de Westhoek. Held just
one day after the EPZ Omloop van Borsele. Dwars door de
Westhoek is the fourth round of the Lotto Cycling Cup. Sofie
De Vuyst leads the individual classification ahead of Liesbet
De Vocht and Jessie Daams, with all three are racing here.
Emma Johansson leads the mountain classification and will be
on the start line, while sprint classification leader Annelies
Dom will not. The team classification is close at the top with
Futurumshop.nl-Zannata leading by 2 points over Hitec Products
with Wiggle Honda third 11 points down.
Last year despite numerous attacks the race finished in a
bunch sprint. Jolien D'Hoore took the win ahead of Martine
Bras and Pauline Ferrand-Prevot.
Unlike the previous one day races in Europe this year Dwars
door de Westhoek carries a 1.1 rating. Offering 80 points for
the winner instead of 40 and points for the top 18 riders
compared with top 10 in 1.2.
The Route
There are a number of climbs, four are categorised in the
first 60km of the race. The first is the Monteberg (1.1km at
7.3%, 13% max) after 32.5km. Riders face the Vidaigneberg (1.7km at
4.7%, 10% max) at 45km then the Monteberg a second time at 52km before
the final categorised climb the cobbled Kemmelberg (800m at
9%, max 21%).
With the climbing out of the way riders make their way to
complete four laps of a flat 11.8km finishing circuit. The
last two years have finished in bunch sprints and with the top
sprinters here the chances are that is will finish that way
again.
The Contenders
Provisional Start List available
here
Jolien D'Hoore
The defending champion comes in with good form. Hasn't quite
managed a win so far this year but has been very close a
number of times. Took two top 5 finishes in Qatar and made a
quick return after the Track World Championships getting
results quickly. Took 4th at Novilon EDR Cup and a strong 2nd
only losing out to Emma Johansson at Cholet Pays de Loire
Dames. Picked up two podiums including 2nd on the final stage
at Energiewacht Tour. Took 2nd at Ronde van Gelderland last
weekend.
Kirsten Wild
Arguably the fastest sprinter in the women's peloton. Has
already taken seven victories this year including Ronde van
Gelderland on the weekend. Wild brings one of the strongest
teams to support her including Lucy Garner, Marijn De Vries
and Maaik Polspoel.
Melissa Hoskins
Started the year with 3rd on the final stage and 6th overall
in Qatar just days off the Track National Championships. Took
a month off after Track Worlds and returned at the
Energiewacht Tour earlier this month. An up and coming
sprinter who is coming in to form after taking 3rd at Ronde
van Gelderland last weekend. Orica-AIS has other options but
Hoskins is on good form.
Emma Johansson
Had a rare off day at Flèche Wallonne so expect Johansson to
bounce back quickly. Finished 11th here last year after
confusion in the sprint. Not a pure sprinter but able to mix
it with the best of them. Has already taken three wins this
year. Likely to support Hoskins in a sprint finish however.
Giorgia Bronzini
The two time World Champion has been relatively quiet since
starting the year with three stage wins at the Bay Crits in
Australia. It took until early April for Bronzini to get her
first win at the Grand Prix de Dottignies. With Wiggle-Honda
struggling for results expect to see Bronzini extra motivated
to get on that top step.
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
Not a name you would immediately think of for a race such as
this but finished 3rd last year and there is no doubting she
is on the form of her life. Only has thee racing days so far
this year but has finished in the top 11 in all three. Took
5th at Trofeo Alfredo Binda, 11th at Ronde van Vlaanderen and
won Flèche Wallonne during the week. Has a fast finish,
although not that of a pure sprinter but with her form will be
dangerous.
Lucy Martin
Has had a difficult 18 months but there is a lot of untapped
potential we are yet to see. Had a string of top 10 results
including 8th at the Tour of Chongming Island World Cup in
2008 between 2008 and 2011. Has a strong finish and with good
positioning a top 10 even top 5 is possible. Made the main
group at EPZ Omloop van Borsele yesterday.
Sofie De Vuyst
Had a strong early season on home roads in Belgium finishing
6th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 3rd Le Samyn and 5th at Omloop
van het Hageland in the opening week of racing in Belgium. Has
taken top 20 in another four races since including 4th at
Gent-Wevelgem. Currently leading the Individual Lotto Cycling
Cup Classification and with points on offer give her an extra
incentive.
Chantal Blaak
Not a pure sprinter but has already outsmarted them once this
year, nearly twice. A late solo move saw Blaak win the
Molecaten Drentse 8 and two days later finished just off the
podium in 4th at Ronde van Drenthe. Took a second win at the
Energiewacht Tour just reaching solo leader Loes Gunnewijk
ahead of the line.
Lucy Garner
Won the opening stage of the Tour of Chongming Island and then
finished 3rd overall in her first year as a professional after
winning the Junior World Championships in 2011 and 2012.
Likely to play a support role given Kirtsen Wild is here.
Other names to watch: Amy Cure, Lucinda Brand, Thalita De
Jong, Audry Cordon, Jessie Daams, Megan Guarnier, Emile
Moberg, Lauren Kitchen, Aude Biannic, Loes Gunnewijk, Annette
Edmondson, Gracie Elvin, Lisa Brennauer, Kimberley Wells,
Sarah Roy, Charlotte Becker and Emily Roper. |
|
|
|