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Giro Rosa
Preview |
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Short of something crazy
happening stage 5 will be a day for the sprinters. There is
one climb that tops out at 75.8km. From here there is still
42.5km so any riders losing contact will almost certainly
rejoin.
It could prove the last chance for the pure sprinters, stage 7
remains a possibility although a harder finish might take some
of the out of contention.
The Route
Other than the fist 10-15km the stage is run right on the
coast, again raising the possibility of wind and teams like
Orica-AIS and Rabo wanting to split things up. The only other
significant point on the stage is the cat 3 Loc Siligate
climb. It tops out with 42.5km to go, all of it flat. Even if
some of the sprinters are dropped their teams have a lot of
time to bring them back to the front. Though wind could
potentially change that.
The Contenders
Giorgia Bronzini
Bronzini has proven she is the fastest in the race when it
comes to a bunch sprint. Beating Vos isn't easy even for a
sprinter like Bronzini but she took the win on stage 2. With a
long flat section heading in to the finish can count on strong
team support from Mullens and Fahlin.
Marianne Vos
Won the first road stage but that was far from a bunch sprint
and again yesterday but that was uphill and again more select.
Can't always beat the pure sprinter but if everything goes
right she can. Took second on stage two and a podium is
likely, beating Bronzini in a pure sprint though will be
difficult.
Melissa Hoskins
Orica-AIS has the best train in the race and they were not
afraid to put it to use on stage 2. They took to the front
early and were swamped in the final km. Hoskins started too
far back but admitted she didn't have the legs. The team will
again back her and she should have ridden in to form over the
past few days. If Hoskins gets another perfect lead out likely
to contend for the podium.
Lucy Garner
Garner is in her second year professional and her first grand
Tour. Had a very strong start finishing 15th in the prologue
but the hard road stages have taken their toll. With probably
the final chance for a sprint expect Garner to give it
everything to be in contention. If she is there and feeling
strong watch for a podium finish.
Shelley Olds
Olds has been one of the most consistent sprinters all year
with over 20 top 10 finishes including four wins. Has stood on
the top step of the podium in the past so know what it takes
to win here. Her Ale Cipollini can form a strong train and
expect to see them at the front. Rounded out the podium on
stage 2 and narrowly missed the win yesterday to Vos. One of
the only people in the race capable of beating Bronzini and
Vos.
Jolien D'Hoore
D’Hoore is another sprinter making her Grand Tour debut. A
very consistent finisher but doesn't have the speed of the top
sprinters as it stands. Lotto-Belisol's GC hope Emma Pooley
lost time with bad luck so is likely to get more support.
Finished 5th yesterday in a reduced group without a number of
other sprinters. The win is probably unlikely but another top
5 would be a good result.
Chloe Hosking
Hosking was incredibly disappointed at missing the chance on
day 2. A crash and then a mechanical saw her miss out on
contesting the win. As one of the few people to have beaten
the dominant Kirsten Wild in 2014 a contender for a stage win.
The team has Longo Borghini and Moolman in the top 5 on GC but
can count on strong support from Emilie Moberg and Lauren
Kitchen.
Emma Johansson
Packs a very fast finish but not that of a pure sprinter. Did
beat Vos this year on the opening stage of The Women's Tour so
has the confidence to know she can. Will ride for Hoskins and
be one of the final lead out riders but if Hoskins is out of
contention for any reason will post a strong finish.
Other names to watch: Barbara Guarischi, Amy Pieters, Annemiek
Van Vleuten, Hannah Barnes, Katarzyna Pawlowska, Emily
Collins, Peta Mullens, Carmen Small and Trixi Worrack. |
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