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Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders
Fields
Preview |
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Now in its third edition but the
first as a UCI categorised race offering ranking points.
Despite being held along side the men's World Tour race it
clashes with the second round of the Women's World Cup Trofeo
Alfredo Binda. This has lead to many of the top teams fielding
a reduced squad or none at all.
Last year Dutch superstar sprinter Kirsten Wild took the win
from a small group ahead of Sanne Van Paassen and Kelly
Druyts. The year before Olympic Silver Medallist Lizzie
Armitstead won solo by 50 seconds.
The Route
The first 36 kilometres are mostly flat before they reach the
first climb of the day the Kemelberg and after a short descent
riders then face the Monteberg at the 40km mark. Over the top
of the climb the next 25km covers undulating roads. From here
riders face the second and final section of climbs. First is
the Baneberg at the 67.5km mark. Following in quick succession
at the Kemmelberg at 75.5km and Monteberg at 79.4km. Other
than a minor climb at around the 97km mark it is flat for the
final 30km in to the finish.
The Contenders
Provisional start list available
here
Kirsten Wild
The defending champion has had a very strong start to the year
defending her Tour of Qatar victory (a race she has now won 4
times) and picking up 4 stages in the process. Since returning
to Europe has finished 5th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 20 Omloop
van het Hageland, 6th Ronde van Drenthe World Cup and won the
Novilon Eurocup. When on form Wild is very hard to beat and is
a very likely winner from a bunch sprint.
Jolien D'Hoore
Despite splitting her early season between the road and the
track has picked up strong results. Three top 10 finishes at
the Tour of Qatar and 7th overall as well as 4th at Novilon
Eurocup and then finished 2nd behind World Number 1 Emma
Johansson at the Cholet Pays de Loire. Finished 4th last year
but her sprinting has improved since then.
Amy Cure
The new Points Race World Champion starts her first UCI Road
Race of the year fresh off finishing 3rd from a break at Dwars
door Vlaanderen during the week. Now in her first year as a
professional but had a strong season last year with Jayco-AIS.
Took two stages and the overall at Tour de Feminin - O cenu
Ceského Švýcarska, 15th overall at the undulating
Internationale Thüringen Rundfahrt and took another stage win
at the Trophée d'Or Féminin.
Sofie de Vuyst
Has had a strong start to the year. On home roads took 6th,
3rd and 5th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Le Samyn and Omloop van
het Hageland respectively. Making her the most consistent
rider second only to Emma Johansson across the three races.
Has more recently finished 13th at Novilon Eurocup and 12th
last weekend at Cholet Pays de Loire. Not a pure sprinter but
has a fast finished and her results so far this year show she
is on good form.
Chloe Hosking
One of the fastest sprint in the women's peloton and hasn’t
finished outside the top 30 all year. Took the final spot on
the podium at the Tour of Qatar and has been consistent in the
opening classics. Her best finish was at Molecaten Drentse 8
in 9th. Her Hitec Products team brings a strong squad making
Hosking a real danger in a sprint finish.
Thalita De Jong
The 20 year old is now in her third season at Rabo. With the
depth of talent De Jong often finds herself in a support role
but has shown can perform when the opportunity arises. Took
second from a small chase group to finish 4th at Omloop van
het Hageland.
With most teams sending their big names to the Trofeo Alfredo
Binda World Cup it is likely a number of riders often riding
in support roles will perform well.
Other names to watch: Romy Kasper, Maura Kinsella and Kim De
Baat. |
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