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Giro Rosa
Stage 1 Preview |
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Rabo Liv came with the strongest
overall team and they put that in display yesterday. There is
no way around it they dominated. Filled the podium, top 4 and
only Melissa Hoskins stopped them taking a top 5. 5 Riders in
the top six shows the depth of talent in Rabo. Ok it was just
a prologue but then you look at the top 3 Annemiek Van Vleuten
(World Cup Overall winner), Marianne Vos (World Champion,
World Cup Overall winner and the list is endless), Pauline
Ferrand-Prevot (Junior World Champion and La Flèche Wallonne
winner), it could have been any stage or any race.
Many thought Rabo came to play and that has been put all
beyond doubt. Their trio of overall contenders Marianne Vos,
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and Anna van der Breggen cannot leave
it down to the final mountain stages. They need to go in with
a lead, as they wont be able to out climb the pure climbers.
It may only be the first road stage and it could end in a
sprint but not if Rabo have their way.
As well as the stage win and potentially a change in race lead
due to bonus seconds the mountains classification will be in
focus. Two classified climbs today offering points and with no
climbs tomorrow the chance to wear it for at least two days is
up for grabs.
Van Vleuten has a 1" lead over Vos and with bonus seconds at a
sprint point at the finish Vos could take over the race lead.
Vos has supported her teammates a lot this year so may work to
keep Van Vleuten in the jersey for a few days in return for
her support later in the race.
A number of sprinters are right up there as well. Closest is
Melissa Hoskins at 8". Her form in the prologue showed she is
flying and if she can make it over the climbs be a threat.
Jolien D'Hoore is at 9", Olds and Pieters at 10" and Garner at
13" all within reach of the pink jersey.
The Course
The first road stage will see riders tackle 11 laps of an
8.6km circuit. The circuit includes a 1.8km climb with a steep
section towards the top. The climb is not the hardest but if
Rabo puts the hurt on riders will start dropping off the back
very quickly. They have the team to do it and I would be very
surprised if they didn't try to reduce the group.
The Contenders
We could see two scenarios play out today. A bunch sprint or a
more select group contesting the finish. The gaps on GC are
still reasonably close and while someone not contending for
the overall could be allowed to stay away to the finish it is
unlikely.
The teams of the sprinters will want to keep it together but
as explained above Rabo is likely to have something to say
about that. Positioning will be key as chasing back on after
the climb each time will take energy you will need for the
final few laps.
Rabo Liv
Instead of listing Rabo's contenders individually lets look at
them as a group. The stage in many ways is made for Vos. A
short sharp climb before a descent and rise to the finish. Vos
excels on these sorts of climbs, can out descend anyone and is
at her best in uphill finishes. If she wins will take the lead
and wants as many bonus seconds as possible.
Annemiek Van Vleuten is not as fast as Vos but is certainly
not slow especially from a more select group. It will be
interesting to see the Rabo’s tactics. Will they try and keep
her in the jersey for a few days or will Vos take over.
Ferrand-Prevot and Van der Breggen's strength is on the
climbs. Both likely to have better chances later in the race
but will no doubt be part of any select group that forms.
Melissa Hoskins and Orica-AIS
One of the fastest sprinters in the race and has greatly
improved her climbing this year. 11 laps with a short steep
climb in each will it prove too much? Maybe but with the pink
and white jersey just seconds away Hoskins will fight to hang
on. If Hoskins is there Emma Johansson and Katrin Garfoot will
support her but if not both are real threats. Johansson is the
faster of the two and will no doubt be the protected rider in
a sprint without Hoskins. Garfoot is an unknown at this level
but on short sharp climbs she is at home. An attacking team
don’t be surprised to see one or both attack to ease the
pressure on the team.
Amy Pieters
10" off the lead so will need to win the stage and hope both
Van Vleuten and Vos don't pick up any bonus seconds if she is
to take the lead. Not a pure sprinter and she climbs well but
can she hang on over 11 laps in this field.
Tiff Cromwell
Specialized-lululemon doesn’t have a sprinter here and while
Cromwell is more of a puncheur/climber she can sprint and
sprint well. Podiums this year at the Bay Crits and 2nd at GP
Comune di Cornaredo where she beat Bronzini. The short sharp
climb should not trouble Cromwell and she knows what it takes
to win a stage here.
Shelley Olds and Giorgia Bronzini
In the same boat as Hoskins and Pieters, they climb well but
11 laps may prove too much. Olds is just 10" down and close to
pink proving some extra motivation. Both have stage wins to
their name at the Giro and will look to add to their tally
here.
Hitec Products
Picking up a few bonus seconds would be nice and a win even
nicer for Moolman or Longo Borghini. The climb won’t trouble
them the slight rise to the finish is to their advantage. With
Longo Borghini on the team as well as Lauren Kitchen who put
her climbing skills on display to finish 2nd at the National
Championships Hitec has a number of cards to play. Of course
in case of a bunch sprint Chloe Hosking will be their rider to
watch.
Other names to watch: Jolien D'Hoore, Lucy Garner, Alison
Powers, Megan Guarnier, Jessie Daams, Evelyn Stevens and
Sharon Laws.
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