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Gooik-Geraardsbergen-Gooik
Preview |
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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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