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Giro del Trentino
Preview |
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The final warm up race for the
Giro Rosa other than the National Championships for European
riders is the Giro del Trentino Alto Adige - Südtirol. In the
past has been a hard stage race offering riders a real test
ahead of the only Grand Tour on the calendar. This year it has
been reduced to just a one day race. While it will still
provide an opportunity to find form it will not test riders as
it has in the past.
2013 Review
Evelyn Stevens won last year but with the race very different
including a TTT it doesn't reflect what we may see this year.
A look at the recent Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria and
Emakumeen Euskal Bira presents a better insight. Although with
that said many of the dominant riders there are not riding
here. No Vos, Johansson, Armitstead, Ferrand-Prevot, Daams or
Longo Borghini leaving a wide open field.
The Course
Profile
The first 80km of the 108km course are mostly flat. There is
some undulation but nothing that should really trouble anyone.
The first and only real obstacle in the race starts at around
the 81km mark. The approximately 10km climb to Bivio will be
where the first main selection is made. Expect lots of attacks
to come on the climb. A long 10km descent follows before about
2km of flat. The race finishes in Mezzolombardo with a 3km
uphill drag to the line.
The Contenders
Elena Cecchini
On paper Elena Cecchini is a sprinter but she has perhaps
impressed me the most this year of everyone. Finished 8th in
Qatar then went to Track Worlds before a string of top 20
results in the early season classics. Finished 5th at the
Winston-Salem Cycling Classic, before winning the criterium.
10th at The Women's Tour after top 10 in four of the five
stages. Went to China and impressed there with 6th at the Tour
of Chongming Island before a stunning 2nd at the World Cup.
Added 15th at the much hillier Tour of Zhoushan Island. Took a
break before again posting good results last week in Spain.
21st at Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria and an impressive 17th
at Emakumeen Euskal Bira. Has shown she can climb and if she
makes it over the climb watch out in the finish. She did
finish 19th up the Mur at Flèche Wallonne Féminine.
Amanda Spratt
Spratt broke her collarbone at Ronde van Vlaanderen but since
returning has shown good form. Took 17th in her first race
back at Boels Rental Hills Classic, before 25th over the
weekend at Emakumeen Euskal Bira. Was disappointed to miss
selection for the Commonwealth Games and with the Giro Rosa
fast approaching expect a good ride. Can climb and has a fast
sprint.
Carlee Taylor
Normally rides in the support of her teammates as we saw at
the Worlds last year from Cromwell and Australian Nationals
for Elvin. Taylor is strong on the climbs and without
Johansson in the race Taylor may be given room to chase a
result for herself.
Katrin Garfoot
Signed with Orica-AIS for the rest of the season. Not a name
many may be overly familiar with. Only came to the sport in
the past 5 years but dominated the Australian domestic NRS
series last year. Spent the early season with the Jayco-AIS
National team. As soon as the races started to climb Garfoot
showed her talent. Finished 16th at Flèche Wallonne and top 5
on every stage at Gracia Orlova to take 2nd overall. In her
final race for the first part of her season finished 4th at
Tour of Zhoushan Island and won the Mountains Classification.
Strong on the climbs and has a quick finish from a small
group. Might take a few races to get her legs back but don't
discount her standing on the podium here.
Fabiana Luperini
Had been quiet all year until racing started in Spain last
year. Finished 17th at Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria and 7th
at Emakumeen Euskal Bira with top 10 finishes on three stages.
A very strong climber and former winner of the Giro Rosa. At
40 is in the final part of her career but after being removed
from the Giro last year (bike under weight) will be hoping to
use this race as a final warm up.
Rossella Ratto
After a quiet early season Ratto bounced back with a stage win
and 3rd overall at The Women's Tour. Was the Best Young Rider
and 4th at Auensteiner- Radsporttage before finally making her
mark last week. 10th and 11th at Durango-Durango Emakumeen
Saria and Emakumeen Euskal Bira respectively. Finished 12th at
the Giro Rosa last year and is still only 20.
Linda Villumsen
Villumsen is a very strong climber but is often inconsistent.
Won the race back in 2012 thanks to her strong time trial
performance. Hasn't raced much in Europe though her best
result is 8th at La Flèche Wallonne Féminine. If she is in a
small group at the finish will be very dangerous and expect
her to attack.
Natalia Boyarskaya
Won a stage and finished 14th overall at Gracia Orlova. Won
two stages and the overall at the Tour of Adygeya for the
second year in a row in the Middle of May. Comes in after
finishing 8th at the Frauen Grand Prix Gippingen on the
weekend.
Eugenia Bujak
The 24 year old from Poland has had a strong past two months.
Her run started with 3rd at Winston-Salem Cycling Classic
before three stages podiums and another 3rd overall at Gracia
Orlova. Took 2nd over the weekend at Frauen Grand Prix
Gippingen behind solo winner and countrywoman Katarzyna
Niewiadoma.
Yevgenia Vysotska
The 38 year old hasn't raced much this year. Just 9 UCI race
days and of that has only finished Gracia Orlova. Finished
13th overall but the field wasn't particularly strong. Has
finished top 10 twice at what is now known as the Giro Rosa
including 9th last year.
Other names to watch: Valentina Carretta, Katazyna Sosna,
Francesca Cauz, Lara Vieceli, Sari Saarelainen, Tatiana
Antoshina, Gracie Elvin, Valentina Scandolara, Sabrina
Stultiens and Martina Ritter. |
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