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  Racing returns to Belgium for Gooik-Geraardsbergen-Gooik after several weeks break. Gooik-Geraardsbergen-Gooik concludes three days of racing for many teams in the Netherlands and Belgium.

There are 80 points on offer for the winner and points for the top 18 riders. Six of the top 10 teams in there world are here including the top four Rabo Liv, Orica-AIS, Boels Dolmans and Giant Shimano. World number one Emma Johansson is here to defend her title.

2013 Review

Last year the race split in to a number of groups on the opening lap with 8 riders eventually breaking away from a group of 29. By the time the peloton had reached the finishing circuits the gap was over 30" for Emma Johansson, Tiff Cromwell, Marianne Vos, Iris Slappendel, Jessie Daams, Rossella Ratto, Maaike Polspoel and Katarzyna Pawlowska. The gap reach over a minute on the third of seven laps of the finishing ciruit. Vos was the first to attack but was quickly back in the group. Eventually Polspoel managed to create a gap with Johansson and Slappendel bridging across.

The leading trio quickly built up a 30 second lead and the a lack of cooperation behind saw the gap stay that way. Johansson won the three up sprint ahead of Polspoel and Slappendel. Cromwell lead home the chase group of 5 ahead of Vos and Daams 48" down.

The Contenders

Start List available here

Emma Johansson

If Johansson is in a race there is a very strong chance she will be on the podium. Johansson is the defending champion and will be more motivated to defend. Put in a strong display at the Boels Rental Hills Classic riding away from van Dijk and Pieters on the final climb to take the victory. Was 3rd yesterday. Has a very strong finish, and took the first stage of The Women's Tour where she beat Vos in the sprint. Backer by her very strong Orica-AIS team. If Edmondson is feeling good may support her.

Loes Gunnewijk

Orica-AIS's road captain and one of the most experienced riders in the peloton. Always performs well in the Netherlands and expect her to again here. Made the front group last year and helped Johansson to third. Expect her to play a team role again but don't be surprised to see her up the road several times.

Amanda Spratt

Just back from a broken collarbone but Spratty despite the time off the bike her form is good. Took 17th on Friday at the Boels Rental Hills Classic, her first race back. Orica-AIS have been aggressive and with Spratt the team has another card to play. Fast on the line and strong on the hills.

Marianne Vos

Won the first edition in 2011 and after a later than usual start to the season expect to see Vos motivated here. Took a comanding win yesterday at the "Marianne Vos Classic" distancing Lucy Garner and Emma Johansson ahead of the line. If Vos is there are the finish she will be near impossible to beat.

Liesbet De Vocht

De Vocht is the 2012 winner. At 35 she one of the most experienced riders in the peloton. Five top 10 finishes this year including 7th at Ronde van Vlaanderen. Sat out racing the Marianne Vos Classic yesterday so may have fresher legs than a number of others.

Jolien D'Hoore

Took a break at the end of April and Gooik marks her first race back. Has stepped up this season and has the makings of a top classics rider. 7th overall at Qatar and 12th at the Energiewacht Tour. Her top results have come in one day races. 2nd at Cholet Pays de Loire, Ronde van Gelderland and Dwars door de Westhoek. Given the break may not be at her best but don't discount her.

Susanna Zorzi

After a quiet start to the year Zorzi has picked up a string of good results the past month. The breakthrough came after taking 2nd on stage 2 of the The Women's Tour from a two rider break. Went on to finish 5th overall. Her good form has continued this week with 14th at Boels Rental Hills Classic and 6th yesterday.

Ashleigh Moolman

Has had a solid 2014 so far. Defended her South African National Championship titles in both the road race and time trial. Finished 2nd at Le Samyn and 5th Flèche Wallonne Féminine. A strong climber with a fast finish from a small group but unlikely to be able to beat the likes of Vos and Johansson in a sprint.

Audrey Cordon

3rd at Omloop van het Hageland and 5th Cholet Pays de Loire but yesterday took the win at Grand Prix de Plumelec-Morbihan ahead of teammate Elisa Longo Borghini. Hitec dominated the race and will be motivated to continue that here. After support from Longo Borghini yesterday may return the favour in a race more suited to her teammate.

Elisa Longo Borghini

Helped Audrey Cordon to the win on home soil in France yesterday and may get team support today. The hilly nature of the race suits her. Although the route changes from year to year Longo Borghini stood on the podium in 2012.

Sofie De Vuyst

One of the top riders in the early classics. Finished top 10 at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Le Samyn, Omloop van het Hageland, Gent-Wevelgem and Trofee Maarten Wynants. Added another on Friday with 9th at the Boels Rental Hills Classic. Back on home soil De Vuyst will be looking for another strong finish.

Jessie Daams

Celebrated her 24th birthday this week and now gets a chance to celebrate again here racing on home soil. Spent the early part of the season supporting Lizzie Armitstead and now gets a chanc for herself. Finished 10th at Trofee Maarten Wynants earlier this month and 8th at the Boels Rental Hills Classic. Sat out yesterday on a race that didn't suit her charastics but with the roads hilly again Daams will be a name to watch.

Amy Pieters

Pieters continues to impress. Won a stage and 2nd overall at the Tour of Qatar before taking out the first European race of the year Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Finished 8th overall at Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs and 6th at The Women's Tour. Was part of a four rider group in the closing stages of Boels Rental Hills Classic but Johansson and van Dijk proved too strong but Pieters rounded out the podium. A fast finisher who can handle the hills.

Vera Koedooder

Koedooder is a breakaway specialist and in most races you will see her attack a number of times. Was aggressive yesterday and despite her efforts the race finished in a bunch sprint where she tok 9th. Took a stunning solo stage win and 2nd overall at the Energiewacht Tour. Giver her too much room and you won't see her again.

Other names to watch: Carlee Taylor, Iris Slappendel, Kelly Druyts, Doris Schweizer, Kim De Baat, Chloe Hosking, Lauren Kitchen, Megan Guarnier, Christine Majerus, Lucy Garner, Jacqueline Hahn and Jo Hogan.
 
 
         
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