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Giro Rosa
Preview |
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The biggest race on the women's
calendar the Giro d'Italia Internazionale Femminile or Giro
Rosa as it is now more commonly known is back to 10 days in
2014. While the race returns to 10 days there is very little
in terms of kilometres against the clock. Only 2km in fact,
the opening prologue. While the distance against the clock has
generally never been huge this is the shortest in years. Often
when there is an opening prologue there is a second time trial
later in the race but not this year. With the time gaps in the
prologue likely to be very small the GC will be decided on the
climbs.
2013 Recap
Dutch sprinter Kirsten Wild won the opening stage just ahead
of Marianne Vos with Vos taking the lead thanks to bonus
seconds at intermediate sprint. Stage two was much more
undulating but a large group came to the line together with
two time World Champion Giorgia Bronzini sprinting to victory
with Vos again 2nd.
The lumpier roads of stage 3 saw a group of 6 (Cromwell, Vos,
Hall, Brand, Scandolara & Guarischi) go away early in the
stage. Vos and Cromwell eventually distanced the four others.
Inside the final 10km Cromwell crashed out of contention for
the stage with Vos taking a solo win and increasing her lead.
Stage 4 saw Vos distance everyone in the uphill sprint to
finish 3" ahead of Evelyn Stevens and Ashleigh Moolman. The
rest of the peloton came across the line in small groups.
Day five saw the first big shake up in the GC and the first
summit finish of the race. 2010 winner Mara Abbott soloed to
victory 1:45 ahead of 2nd Francesca Cauz with another former
winner Fabiana Luperini four second further back in 3rd.
Overnight leader Marianne Vos suffered on the climb and could
only managed 15th. The final hilly stage saw race leader Mara
Abbott again untouchable on the climbs. Abbott took another
solo win ahead of Claudia Hausler 24" down and Francesca Cauz
at 34"
After two days in the high mountains the penultimate stage was
another one for the pure sprinters. Although after two days of
struggling in the mountains Vos was back to her best beating
out Bronzini, Olds and Wild for the win. Heading in to the
final stage Mara Abbott had a nearly two and a half minute
lead.
The race ended with a pan flat 16km time trial, won by World
Champion Ellen Van Dijk. Evenlyn Stevens took 2nd 35" down
with Shara Gillow rounding out the podium just under one
minute behind. Mara Abbott struggled finishing over two
minutes down but her lead was more than enough to see her
claim a second overall win. Tatiana Guderzo and Claudia
Hausler rounded out the podium.
Final GC Top 10
1 Mara ABBOTT (USA) 20:30:15
2 Tatiana GUDERZO (MCG) +1:33
3 Claudia HAUSLER (TIB) +2:18
4 Shara GILLOW (GEW) +3:29
5 Evelyn STEVENS (SLU) +3:39
6 Marianne VOS (RBW) +4:08
7 Francesca CAUZ (TOG) +4:25
8 Ashleigh MOOLMAN (LBL) +5:23
9 Eivgenia VYSOTSKA (MIC) +6:48
10 Alena AMIALIUSIK (BPK) +7:25
The Route
10 days, with a prologue and 9 road stages. There are
opportunities for the sprinters, climbers as well as those who
like to attack. The time trialists miss out with the 2km
prologue very open.
Prologue
At 2.05km a number of riders have a chance to win and take the
first pink jersey. It is completely pan flat out and back with
an 180 degree turn. Not long enough for the specialists to put
in huge gains. Sprinters and track riders especially those
from an IP and TP background will do well. The gaps on GC will
be small but a crash on the night could end a riders race
before it begins.
Stage 1
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. GPM points are on offer on the cat 3
climb on the 4th and 8th laps. With no climbs on stage 2 the
chance to wear the GPM jersey for a couple of days should see
it hotly contested. The final 600m to the finish are flat and
strait setting up for a sprint. There is time to rejoin after
the climb but after 11 laps of chasing back it will take it
out of you. With bonus second at the finish the lead could
change hands.
Stage 2
Again held over circuit this time six laps of 20km. There is
some undulation on the stage but nothing that should trouble
the sprinters and no categorised climbs. After a number of
corners in the closing kilometres the final 700m is again dead
strait.
Stage 3
The climbing starts today, while it is not a day you will win
the Giro Rosa you could potentially lose it. The first 20km
are flat before a very small gradual rise over the next 30km.
A downhill 35km section follows as riders head towards the
only categorised climb of the day the cat 2 Belmonte Castello
tops out at 87.8km to go. From here there is a gradual descent
for 30km although there are some uphill sections. The final
5km to the finish at San Donato Val di Comino are uphill. The
gradient isn't steep enough for the pure climbers but expect
to see some attacks from riders who want to pick up some time.
Stage 4
Another hilly day but again the race wont be won but it could
be lost. The opening 80km are flat along the coast before the
roads turn inland. The sprint point comes towards the end of
the flat section at 62.5km. There is a long gradual rise of
around 25km including the 9km di Via Macerata (cat 3 climb).
Over the top it is a very quick descent before the road kicks
up again for the finish. The top of the climb is just 9km from
the finish and will likely see lots of attacks to get away
solo or in a small group to contest the finish.
Stage 5
After two harder stages for the climbers and puncheurs stage
five is another for the sprinters and probably their final
chance for a win. Run along the coast the race is flat all day
other than one climb in the middle of the stage. The cat 3 Loc
Siligate climb 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.
Stage 6
It is back to the GC riders today with three climbs on the
agenda. 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 descent will look to rejoin. The final 10k's
are flat.
Stage 7
The only categorised climb of the day starts after just 200m
with the cat 2 GPM point coming in Teglio after 7.3km. The
road flattens off before a long descent in to Chiuro 15km
later. From here much of the rest of the stage if flat and
should allow riders dropped time to rejoin or it will be a
long day for those unable to get back. The final 10km
gradually rise before levelling off at around 3km to go. The
respite is short lived as the road kicks up again to the
finish in Chiavenna.
Stage 8
The penultimate stage of the race serves as the queen stage.
Of the 90.3km riders will face today most of the first 67km is
flat. There are a few small rises that present opportunities
to attack in the opening 10km. From here the next 45km are
flat but it is the final 23km riders will be worried about.
The final 13km climb to San Domenico (cat 1) is the same climb
that saw Mara Abbott seal her race win on stage 6 last year.
At 8% average gradient it will open up some big gaps on the
general classification.
Stage 9
At 80.1km it may be the shortest of the race but it is no
procession nor is it a day for the sprinters to shine. Like
the previous day it is the final part of the stage everyone’s
eyes will be on. The road starts to climb with just under 10km
remaining. The first km of the climb has a gradient of 14%
before flattening out with around 3km to the top. The respite
is short lived with the final 2km rising steeply again.
Depending on how things have played out the winner could have
been decided but the race and top GC placings are still up for
grabs on the very final kms of the 2014 Giro Rosa.
Classifications
There are five jerseys up for grabs
General Classification
There are bonus seconds on offer on all road stages (not in
the prologue).
Finish: 10-6-4
Intermediate Sprint: 3-2-1
Points Classification
Points are awarded to the top 10 riders on all stages
including the prologue. 15 for the winner down to 1 for 10th.
15–12–10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1
Mountains Classification
The top five riders on each categorised climb will earn
points.
Cat 1: 13-11-9-7-5
Cat 2: 7-5-3-2-1
Cat 3: 5-4-3-2-1
Young Rider Classification
Open to riders born after January 1st 1991.
Best Italian Classification
Best Italian rider on General Classification.
Contenders
General Classification
Listed based on order on start list only.
Mara Abbott
Abbott is not just the defending Champion but a two-time
winner of the biggest race on the calendar. She was
untouchable on the climbs last year. Her only losses were in
the final time trial but her advantage was more than enough to
keep the lead. With only a short prologue this year the course
is even more suited to her. We haven't seen her in Europe this
year but that is nothing to be concerned by, as we didn't last
year either. Has more UCI racing in her legs than last year
having done races in South America as well as the United
States. Abbott won the one day Grand Prix de Oriente and
finished 3rd at Grand Prix GSB and Grand Prix el Salvador
before wrapping up her early season with a stage win and the
overall at Vuelta a El Salvador.
The climbing heavy final part of the race is where we will see
Abbott really shine and it will be important for her along
with all the other GC contenders to not lose any time in the
opening stages. If her form is anything like last year Abbott
will be very hard to beat on the climbs as she hunts for a
third title.
Tatiana Guderzo
Last years runner up although wasn't able to get anywhere near
Abbott on the climbs. Not the first time Guderzo has finished
on the podium either having taken third in 2010 and seven
other top 10 finishes. Among Guderzo's palmares is 2009 World
Champion and 3rd at Beijing Olympics in the road race. Has
strong results across the board but it is in Italy she always
performs best, and more specifically at the Giro Rosa. The
first few days will be about not losing any time before
hitting the big mountains. Guderzo has proven she can climb
with the best and another top 10 finish her is very likely.
Francesca Cauz
In her first Giro in 2012 finished 33rd but last year at just
20 rode to 7th overall. Started the final stage time trial in
4th but lost a lot of time in 16km against the clock to drop
to 7th. On the two key mountain stages (both won by Abbott)
Cauz finished 2nd on stage 5 to Monte Beigua and 3rd on stage
6 to San Domenico. Cauz was one of the strongest climbers last
year and without a time trial expect another strong
performance. Will need to ensure she loses as little time as
possible in the early stages if she wants to contend for the
podium.
Tatiana Antoshina
Did the double winning the road race and time trial at the
Russian National Championships over the weekend. Was very
consistent last year with top 5 overall finishes at Gracia
Orlova, Tour Languedoc Roussillon and Giro del Trentino ahead
of the Giro Rosa. This year Antoshina hasn't been in
contention at all other than the past two weeks. Finished 6th
at the final warm up race Giro del Trentino in late June. Just
missed the top 10 last year although the lack of km against
the clock will hurt her chances of breaking in to the top 10.
Her form seems to be peaking for the right time but the lack
of the results mean she doesn't appear as prepared as last
year.
Emma Pooley
Missed most of the 2013 season finishing her degree but when
she did race she finished on the podium in the three stage
races she competed in. Only 14 UCI race days in her legs this
year and hasn't quite seemed at her former level. Finished 7th
at La Flèche Wallonne and won the National Time Trial
Championship and was 4th in the Road Race over the weekend. In
her last big warmup race for the Giro only managed 20th at
Emakumeen Euskal Bira. Despite the lack of results it would be
a big mistake to discount Pooley who finished 2nd behind Vos
in 2012 and 2011 and has two other top 5 finishes. When the
road starts to go up Pooley is one of the best but her lack of
racing compared to others could hurt her, as could the lack of
km against the clock.
Marianne Vos
A two-time winner who went back to back in 2011 and 2012. On
most terrain Vos is in a league of her own but if there is one
area where she can struggle that is long climbs. That said she
is far from bad there but if not 100% pure climbers can take
advantage of that. Looked set to be dominant all race last
year but struggled when it hit the big mountains, though still
finished a very respectable 6th. The lack of time trialing is
also to her advantage. Had a much later start to the season
that normal and that sees her come in to the biggest race of
the year fresher.
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
The 22 year old has stepped up to another level this year
dominating on both road and the dirt. Despite moving between
disciplines has only finished outside the top 10 on two
occasions. Took her first win of the year and her career at La
Flèche Wallonne. Won two stages and the overall at Emakumeen
Euskal Bira with support from teammate and World Champion
Marianne Vos. On home soil for the French Championships
Ferrand-Prevot was in a league of her own winning the Time
Trial and Road Race.
Road the Giro Rosa for the first time last year to finish 28th
including two top 10 finishes. The past 12 months have seen
her come a long way and it would be a big surprise to see her
not improve on that. She remains relatively untested and
inexperienced but don't discount her because of that. Might
play more of a support role for Vos but that could also see
her secure a solid overall position herself.
Fabiana Luperini
Won the race in 2008 although was kicked out of the race last
year for having a bike that did not meet UCI weight
regulations. In the leadup races to the Giro Rosa finished
17th Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria, 7th Emakumeen Euskal
Bira and 9th at Giro del Trentino. Her form may be peaking at
the right time but at 40 she is at the end of her career.
Megan Guarnier
Finished 15th last year while riding for Rabo and her path
leading up to has almost been identical to last year. Made the
switch to Boels Dolmans over the off season and without Lizzie
Armitstead for the sprint stages the team will look for a good
GC result. Finished 2nd in the Road Race at both the
Panamerican Championship and National Championship. Comes in
to the race having taken 6th at the Emakumeen Euskal Bira in
the middle of June.
Jessie Daams
I have said a lot about Daams' potential this year and she has
not disappointed. Consistent all year across all terrain,
never far from the top 10. The former track rider finished
20th last year and the top Boels Dolmans rider. Her strength
is on the climbs. While not able to match the top climbers in
the world an improvement on last years performance is likely.
Will likely help teammate Megan Guarnier but that should lead
to a strong result for herself. Finished 9th overall at
Emakumeen Euskal Bira in a race dominated by Rabo Liv.
Claudia Lichtenberg (Hausler)
The 2009 winner signed with Giant-Shimano over the off season
to give the sprint focused team a GC option. Third last year
and has finished inside the top 10 on two other occasions.
When on form Lichtenberg is one of the strongest on the
climbs. Had been relatively quiet all year until finishing 5th
at Emakumeen Euskal Bira. Will have limited team support with
most of the team very sprint or classics focused.
Evelyn Stevens
Stevens is one of the most popular riders, while she has never
won the Giro before finished 3rd in 2012 and 5th last year. A
strong climber and better time trialist, though the lack of km
against the clock will hurt her chances. Hasn't raced a lot
this year but when she has she has normally been at the top of
her game. Just missed the podium at La Flèche Wallonne in 4th.
Won the Panamerican Time Trial Championship and The
Philadelphia Cycling Classic. Specialized-lululemon had a
relatively slow start to the year but has had a strong run of
late that Stevens will look to continue. Has strong support
particularly from Tiff Cromwell.
Yevgenia Vysotska
Has raced very little this year with a lot of DNF's to her
name. Other than the Ukrainian National Championships at the
weekend the only race she finish was the Gracia Orlova.
Vysotska's top finish at the Giro was 6th in 2010 and then
finished 9th last year. With little in the way of racing this
year it is hard to know what her form will be like.
Alena Amialiusik
Amialiusik rounded out the top 10 last year and again starts
the race after doing the Time Trial and Road Race double at
the National Championships over the weekend. Had a strong
early season winning Grand Prix el Salvador as well as two
stages and 2nd overall at Vuelta a El Salvador. Took a
surprise third place at Trofeo Alfredo Binda. Astana BePink
brings a relatively young team with Amialiusik herself just
25.
Emma Johansson
Elected not to ride the race last year and it paid off with
her win at Internationale Thüringen Rundfahrt and 2nd La Route
de France. Johansson returns to the biggest race this year
after finishing 5th overall and taking a stage in 2012.
Johansson is arguably the most consistent rider in the
peloton. Can time trial, sprint and climb. Will target stage
wins but don't discount her doing something for the overall
either.
Shara Gillow
After a quieter start to the season Gillow is back and ready
to fight for a podium spot. Finished 4th last year thanks to
her climbing and 3rd place in the time trial. With only 2km
against the clock Gillow is at a disadvantage to the pure
climbers. Despite the lack of time trial kilometres Gillow
should not be discounted to improve on last years 4th.
Katrin Garfoot
Joined Orica-AIS mid season after dominating the Australian
NRS in 2013 and impressive early season results with the
National Team this year. What she is capable of in Europe is a
big question. Even Orica-AIS DS Gene Bates says he doesn't
think Garfoot even knows. Finished 16th at La Flèche Wallonne,
2nd Gracia Orlova and 4th Tour of Zhoushan Island this year.
In her first race as a professional took 8th at Giro del
Trentino that was won by teammate Scandolara. Garfoot packs a
very fast finish from a small group and climbs very well. It
is a big test with little to go on against the world's best
but Garfoot could surprise everyone.
Linda Villumsen
Villumsen has been a consistent finisher at the Giro usually
between 10-25th but never cracking that top 10. Joined
Wiggle-Honda in the middle of last year and the Giro Rosa was
her first race. A strong climber and time trialist but her
inconsistency has stopped her winning more than she has. Ended
2013 on a strong note with 2nd in the Time Trial and 6th in
the Road Race at Worlds. Her best result of the year has been
8th at La Flèche Wallonne. With only a 2km prologue and no
time trial it will all come down to the climbs but if
Villumsen is climbing well then expect a good ride.
Elisa Longo Borghini
Missed the race last year with injury when on amazing form.
Still just 22 but Longo Borghini is an amazing talent. 6th
Trofeo Alfredo Binda, 4th Ronde van Vlaanderen and 3rd La
Flèche Wallonne in three early World Cup rounds. Longo
Borghini is not a bad time trialist by any calculation but it
is the climbs where she really excels. Finished 9th and won
the Best Young Rider Classification in only her second Giro
back in 2012. Comes in having won the Italian Time Trial
Championship, 6th in the Road Race and 5th Durango-Durango
Emakumeen Saria.
Ashleigh Moolman
After four years at Lotto signed with Hitec Products for 2014
and she has not disappointed this year. 5th at La Flèche
Wallonne and Gooik-Geraardsbergen-Gooik and a number of other
top 10 finishes. Her last race was Emakumeen Euskal Bira where
she just missed the podium as the top non Rabo Liv rider in
4th. On a team with Longo Borghini the duo will be a big
danger as they can help each other and one can mark moves with
the other sits on.
Other names to watch: Carla Ryan, Jennifer Fiori, Olga
Zabelinskaya, Anna van der Breggen, Tiffany Cromwell and
Natalia Boyarskaya.
Sprinters
Giorgia Bronzini
Just three wins to her name this year but the two time World
Champion has finished on the podium a total of 13 times this
year. Has been on a strong run of form since the May and
recently took 2nd at the hilly Giro del Trentino. Will get
strong support from her Wiggle Honda squad.
Chloe Hosking
Won the EPZ Omloop van Borsele making her one of the few
people who can say they have beaten Kirsten Wild in the past
couple of years. A very strong sprinter who is always close to
the mark. Has strong support from her Hitec squad including
Lauren Kitchen.
Lucy Garner
The two time Junior World Champion makes her Grand Tour debut
and with no Kirsten Wild in the team will get a chance to show
just how talented she is against the best in the world. Won a
stage of the Tour of Chongming Island last year but hasn't
managed a win this year but continues to develop. Has been on
the podium at Molecaten Drentse 8, Grand Prix de Dottignies,
Dwars door de Westhoek, stages of The Women's Tour and
Rabobank 7-Dorpenomloop Aalburg. Was very disappointed with
her ride at the National Championships but expect her to
bounce back.
Melissa Hoskins
In her first year as a pro won two stages and the overall at
the Tour of Chongming Island and was 2nd in the World Cup.
Injury impacted her 2013 season but managed a number of strong
finishes towards the end of the year. Has taken a step up this
year with 6th at the Tour of Qatar, 3rd Ronde van Gelderland,
6th Dwars door de Westhoek. Missed the Tour of Chongming
Island with visa issues but took 5th in the World Cup. Comes
in after a month at altitude with the track team and is
climbing better than she ever has. Hoskins will make an impact
in the sprint finishes.
Shelley Olds
2nd on a stage of the Tour of Qatar, won a stage of Vuelta
Internacional Femenina a Costa Rica. Beat Bronzini to win GP
Comune di Cornaredo and has a number of other European podiums
this year. 3rd on all three stages of the Tour of Chongming
Island and has won stages at the Giro in the past.
Jolien D'Hoore
Divides her time between the track and the road and has taken
a big step forward in both disciplines the past 12 months.
Hasn't quite been able to win against the best in the world
but has been consistent all year. 7th overall at the Tour of
Qatar and numerous podium places in Europe. Took 2nd at Ronde
van Gelderland behind Kirsten Wild. A breakthrough win came at
Diamond Tour last month but was no top tier sprinters there.
Comes in wearing the Belgium Champions jersey.
Hannah Barnes
Dominant in UK domestic races for the past few years but is
still largely untested against the best in the world. Took her
first professional win at Tour Femenino de San Luis in
January. Took 3rd on the first and 4th on the final stage of
The Women’s Tour.
Amy Pieters
While not a pure sprinter finished 2nd overall at the Tour of
Qatar and won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Has been quieter of late
but took 6th at The Women's Tour and 3rd Boels Rental Hills
Classic. Can climb better than most so will be a name to watch
on some of the undulating stages in the first few days.
Other names to watch: Coryn Rivera, Katarzyna Pawlowska, Loren
Rowney, Peta Mullens, Emily Collins and Lauren Kitchen.
While not a pure sprinter Marianne Vos has been known to
outsprint the pure sprinters and will be competitive in the
sprints. The same goes for Emma Johansson who has beaten Vos
this year. Will support Hoskins in the bunch sprints but don't
discount Emma either. |
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