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Giro Rosa
Preview |
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The Rabo dominance continued
yesterday. Vos won again beating the pure sprinters. Only one
inside the top 10 for Rabo but look just a little further down
and 5 in the top 20. That tells the story of their dominance
here. Yesterday was probably the last day for the sprinters
and today marks the first big mountain day. There is no summit
finish but the cat 1 climb in the final half of the race will
shake up the GC even more.
The Route
The sprint point comes early before the first climb Ca' del
Poggio (cat 2) that peaks at 32.5km and includes sections at
20%. Riders will face undulating roads before the second climb
(cat 4) to Piai. The main climb of the day to Carbonai (cat 1)
starts after 74km at tops out at 86km. The GPM point comes at
84.3km, 1.7km before the top of the climb. 26km remain over
the top with 10km of them downhill. The pure climbers will
hope to maintain a gap over the top of the climb but those who
can descend will look to rejoin. The bad news is riders like
Vos and Ferrand-Prevot are likely to be at the front and
catching or even staying with them on a descent will be a hard
task. The final 10kms are flat but the leaders could be gone
by then.
The Contenders
It is hard to see past anyone beating Marianne Vos today.
Marianne Vos
There is not much Vos hasn't done and she has been dominant
all race, never outside the top 5 all race. Three wins, two
2nds and a 5th. Bronzini beat her on stage 2 but 99% of the
time there is nobody in the race who can beat her in a sprint.
Definitely not on a day like today anyway. As well as being
the best sprinter in the race she is also the best descender.
If she is in the front group over the climb expect her to ride
away. If she is off the back expect her to rejoin. The only
way I see a rider other than Vos winning today is if she gives
it to a teammate or a group of non GC riders are allowed to
stay away.
Rabo
Ferrand-Prevot is a bit of an unknown when it comes to riding
GC here, currently sitting 2nd on GC. But based on her form
all year has become one of the top riders in the peloton
especially on the climbs. Finished in the top 10 on every
stage other than yesterday where she was a still impressive
14th (in a bunch sprint). Anna Van der Breggen is another
rider to watch today. Currently sitting 8th but just 15
seconds from moving in to the top 5. Annemiek van Vleuten is
yet another card the team has to play but today might prove
just that bit too much for her.
Elisa Longo Borghini and Ashleigh Moolman
The Hitec Products duo currently sit 3rd and 9th respectively
thanks mostly to their strong rides on the defining GC day of
the race so far on stage 1. They may be outnumbered and
slightly outgunned but don't discount them because of that.
Both are strong climbers who may hope to drop Vos on the long
final climb. It wont be an easy task but they have each other
to work off and mark moves.
Emma Johansson
The longer climbs are one area where Johansson is not at her
absolute best. In her last two outings at the Giro in 2011 and
2012 she finished 7th and 5th overall respectively so should
not be discounted. With Shara Gillow and Katrin Garfoot out of
GC contention expect them to switch to support Johansson. Both
should be able to handle the climb today and provide support
against a strong Rabo team. From a select group sprint
Johansson is the only rider with any chance of beating Vos.
Claudia Lichtenberg (Hausler)
Won the race back in 2009 and had a good lead in with 5th at
Emakumeen Euskal Bira. One of the top climbers but on the
climb she will probably be on her own early. Giant-Shimano is
for the most part a sprint team with little support for her on
the climbs. Was the best of the bunch on stage 1 coming home
in 4th showing her form is good. Unlikely to win a sprint
finish but could consolidate her top 10.
Megan Guarnier
Guarnier has just been quietly riding and staying out of
trouble. Finds herself in 6th overall, with the riders above
her will be hard to move up but just needs to keep herself out
of trouble ahead of the final few stages. Support will come
from Jessie Daams who will probably be able to get over the
climb with the top riders.
Evelyn Stevens
Finds herself over three minutes behind Vos. While there is
still a lot of climbing to come Stevens will be looking to
regain some of that time. One of the top time trialists so if
she can get a gap on the final 10km flat section might be able
to hold off a chase.
Other names to watch: Fabiana Luperini, Emma Pooley, Mara
Abbott, Eugenia Bujak and Katrin Garfoot. |
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