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Giro Rosa
Prologue Preview |
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The evening 2km prologue gets the
Giro Rosa underway. The race won’t be won or lost here but
getting off to a good start will give a confidence boost.
Notoriously difficult to predict and the field is wide opening
with a long list of riders potentially taking the win. The
gaps will be small especially at the top of the standings. The
out and back pan flat course is really one for the specialist.
Time trialists will like it but it is short and they will need
to get in to a rhythm quickly or it will be over. Track riders
especially those with an individual or team pursuit pedigree
will love the distance.
The Profile
The Contenders
Annemiek Van Vleuten
Van Vleuten is strong across the board but in prologues she
always performs. Won the Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs
prologue in 2012 and 2013 and probably the only reason she
didn't this year was because she didn't ride. The short flat
nature suits her perfectly. The new Dutch TT Champion will
hope to exchange her National Champions jersey for a pink one
on day one.
Marianne Vos
Time trials are probably the one thing Vos is not her best at
although she did finish 3rd just five seconds down at the
Nationals last weekend. Vos always performs well in prologues
on the other hand. The short nature allows Vos to put the
power down and hold it to the line. Won the Festival
Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs prologue this year and will hope to
get her Giro campaign off to a good start.
Melissa Hoskins
One of the worlds top track endurance riders and has spent the
past month at altitude at a track training camp for the
Commonwealth Games. A top 5 even the win is definitely within
her. The flat 2km out and back distance suits her perfectly.
Hoskins has been on some of the best form of her life this
year. Third in the Gracia Orlova prologue in 2012 (won by
Ellen Van Dijk). A top 5 could see her take the white jersey.
Ellen van Dijk
At 2km it is not long enough for van Dijk to really show her
strength against the clock. The World Champion only managed
2nd to Van Vleuten at the Dutch Championships so her form
doesn't appear to be great. Should not be written off and
after that disappointment will look to bounce back quickly.
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
One of the most improved riders this year finished 6th in the
prologue at Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs, her best to
date. The flat nature isn't perfect for her but we will still
see a strong ride.
Shelley Olds
A sprinter but has been right up there in prologues the past
12 months. 3rd at Premondiale Giro Toscana at the end of last
season and Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs this year.
There are no bonus seconds today but there are tomorrow and
with a sprint likely the Pink Jersey could be up for grabs
tomorrow if she is within a few seconds.
Emma Johansson
Johansson is strong is a short prologue. Probably wont take
the win but will definitely be up there. Beat out a few strong
names including Villumsen, Edmondson, Hoskins and Stevens to
win the prologue at Route de France last year so don't
discount her.
Amy Pieters
Numerous top 10 finishes in prologues including 3rd Route de
France last year and 2nd Rabo Ster Zeeuwsche Eilanden in 2010.
Managed 9th at Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs this year
but again with bonus seconds on offer tomorrow will want to
keep in reach.
Expect a few riders to surprise.
Other names to watch: Jessie MacLean, Evelyn Stevens, Shara
Gillow, Roxanne Knetemann, Megan Guarnier, Tatiana Guderzo,
Emily Collins, Emma Pooley, Tiff Cromwell and Linda Villumsen.
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