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EPZ Omloop van Borsele
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Racing on the flat roads of the
Netherlands continues with the EPZ Omloop van Borsele. Every
edition of the race has been won by a rider from the
Netherlands with Loes Gunnewijk the first. Of the subsequent
11 editions seven have been won by Marianne Vos (2005-2007)
and Kirtsen Wild (2008-2011).
Last year on the penultimate lap Vera Koedooder, Loes
Gunnewijk, Nina Kessler, Oksana Kozonchuk, Lucinda Brand and
Chloe Hosking attacked and managed to distance the peloton.
Early on the final lap Koedooder attacked with only Gunnewijk
able to follow the move. The duo remained together until the
finish with Koedooder out sprinting Gunnewijk. The chase group
behind sprinted with Brand crossing the link 3rd 27" down with
Chloe Hosking 4th just under one minute back. 2012 was a
similar story with a group of 7 escaping to contest the finish
where Ellen van Dijk won a group sprint ahead of Gracie Elvin
and Sarah Duster.
The Route
Profile available
here
The race consists of five 24km laps starting and finishing in
the town of s’Heerenhoek. While the roads may be flat and
suited to the sprinters the race generally doesn't end in a
bunch sprint. As is normal with Dutch races the course
includes narrow roads with a lot of road furniture and strong
winds. Riders will need to be attentive and near the front to
avoid missing splits.
The Contenders
Start List available
here
Vera Koedooder
Took a surprise but not completely unexpected win here last
year. Has a fast finish from a small group and comes in to the
race with good form. Won stage 3a after a long solo move from
an earlier break on Stage 3a of the Energiewacht Tour and with
it took the race lead, before finishing 2nd overall.
Nina Kessler
Kessler was part of the elite group last year that escaped on
the penultimate lap. Wasn't able to follow Koedooder and
Gunnewijk but still finished a strong 5th. Not a pure sprinter
but from a small group will be dangerous. Has had a strong
past month taking 10th at Gent-Wevelgem, 8th at Grand Prix de
Dottignies and 9th at Ronde van Gelderland.
Kirsten Wild
Arguably the fastest sprinter in the women's peloton and knows
what it takes to win here having taken four victories in a row
between 2008 and 2011. Has already taken seven victories this
year including Ronde van Gelderland on the weekend. As well as
being a strong rider almost always makes splits and took three
stages in Qatar and two in the Energiewacht Tour.
Melissa Hoskins
Started her road season in Qatar just days off the Track
National Championships and then took 3rd on the final stage.
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. Knows what it takes to be at the
end here finishing 6th in 2012 after supporting Gracie Elvin
to 2nd and was strong in crosswinds in Qatar and at
Energiewacht Tour.
Loes Gunnewijk
Now acts as Orica-AIS's road captain but was the first winner
of the race in 2012. Likely to play a key role in positioning
and supporting Melissa Hoskins. Give Gunnewijk even a small
gap and you will have a hard time catching her. Nearly took
the win on the final stage of the Energiewacht Tour and
supported Hoskins to 3rd at Ronde van Gelderland. Took 2nd
last year behind Koedooder.
Gracie Elvin
Not a pure sprinter but has a very fast finish from a small
group. Successfully defended her Australian National
Championship in early January. Finished second in 2012 while
riding for the Australian National team. Likely to play a role
supporting Melissa Hoskins but if the opportunity arises will
be another name to watch.
Chloe Hosking
One of the fastest sprinters in the women's peloton. Started
her season at the Bay Crits winning the second stage after
getting the jump on Giorgia Bronzini. Continued her strong
early season form with another top 10 overall finish at the
Tour of Qatar. Took 9th at Molecaten Drentse 8 in mid March
but has been quiet since. Most recently was 16th at Ronde van
Gelderland.
Lauren Kitchen
Brought on to Hitec to support Chloe Hosking and as well as
being a strong leadout rider is a strong sprinter. Finished
12th here last year leading home a chase group. Likely to
support Chloe Hosking in a sprint finish but is Hosking misses
move will be able to secure a strong result herself.
Chantal Blaak
Another rider who is not a pure sprinter but is often in the
mix in sprint finishes especially from smaller groups. 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. Part of a break on the final stage of Energiewacht
Tour and with Gunnewijk up the road was able to bridge solo
and overtake her in the final few hundred metres. Good form
continued to take 2nd in the TT yesterday
Loren Rowney
Spent the early part of the season in the United States with
Omloop van Borsele marking her first race in Europe as a
sprinter. A promising sprinter who took stage wins at Tour
Languedoc Roussillon and Gracia Orlova last year.
Giorgia Bronzini
After a strong start to the year with three stages at the Bay
Crits Bronzini has been relatively quiet in Europe. Finished
3rd at GP Comune di Cornaredo in late March before taking
Wiggle-Honda's first win of the year at Grand Prix de
Dottignies in early April. When on form is one of the fastest
sprinters and with Wiggle Honda struggling for results expect
Bronzini to be fighting for the win. Key support in a sprint
will come from Peta Mullens.
Annemiek Van Vleuten
Lead a chase group home to finish 8th last year. Started her
season with 9th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and subsequently
finished 6th at Omloop van het Hageland and 5th at both Ronde
van Drenthe and Ronde van Vlaanderen. Had another strong ride
at Ronde van Gelderland last weekend finishing 6th.
Lucy Garner
After winning the Junior World Championship in 2011 and 2012,
in her first year as a professional took the opening stage of
the Tour of Chongming Island and then finished 3rd overall.
Likely to play a support role given Kirtsen Wild is here.
Lucy Martin
Has had a difficult 18 months but Martin has a strong finish.
Had a string of top 10 results including 8th at the Tour of
Chongming Island World Cup (2008) between 2008 and 2011. If
she finds herself well positioned and makes what is likely to
be the main move will be a name to watch.
Other names to watch: Ellen Van Dijk, Annette
Edmondson, Audrey Cordon, Emily Roper, Esra Tromp, Roxanne Knetemann,
Anna Van der Breggen, Aude Biannic, Peta Mullens, Charlotte
Becker and Floortje Mackaij. |
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