|
|
|
|
GP de Plouay-Bretagne
Preview |
|
|
|
|
|
Regardless of the outcome Lizzie
Armitstead will walk away the overall winner of the 2014 World
Cup series, as will Elena Cecchini in the Young Rider
classification. Technically the team classification is still
open but Rabo has a 226 point lead and the way they have been
riding it is hard to see them overtaken by Boels Dolmans here.
Alena Amialiusik leads the mountains classification on 12 with
Vera Koedooder (who is not riding). There are two climbs for a
total of 12 points on offer. Ferrand-Prevot, Moolman and
Armitstead are all on 10, with van der Breggen on 8. The
overall is still up for grabs. Iris Slappendel leads the
sprint classification on 20 points and with just one sprint on
offer and Sticker not riding the classification will go to the
jersey designer.
Unlike last week at Open de Suède Vargarda where the course
can suit both climbers and sprinters, GP de Plouay-Bretagne is
a race for the puncheurs and climbers. Vos has won the past
two years and will be looking to make it three in a row and
the only three time winner. Vos has three other podium
appearances. Emma Johansson has never won here but has been on
the podium three times.
Past Results
Former Winners
2013 - Marianne Vos
2012 - Marianne Vos
2011 - Annemiek van Vleuten
2010 - Emma Pooley
2009 - Emma Pooley
2008 - Fabiana Luperini
2007 - Noemi Cantele
2006 - Nicole Brandli
2005 - Noemi Cantele
2004 - Edita Pucinskaite
2003 - Nicole Cooke
2002 - Regina Schleicher
2013 Results
1 Marianne Vos
2 Emma Johansson +12
3 Anna Van der Breggen +17
4 Alena Amialiusik +1:27
5 Karol-Ann Canuel +1:35
6 Lucina Brand +3:56
7 Noemi Cantele +3:56
8 Tatiana Antoshina +3:56
9 Annemiek Van Vleuten +3:56
10 Rossella Ratto +3:56
The Route
4 Laps
1 Lap
The race initially takes place over four laps of a 26.9km
circuit. Undulating throughout with three main climbs, the
first, Côte du Lezat comes after only a 1.5km with sections at
7%. The Côte de la Chapelle Ste Anne is the location of the
two GPM points in the race. The GPM sprints come on laps two
and three (aprox 41km and 68km). The gradient is below 5% but
the climb covers over 5km and doesn't stop at the GPM point.
The biggest feature of the circuit is the Côte de Ty-Marrec,
with most of the climb over 10% coming just 4km before the end
of the circuit. With the penultimate climb of Côte de
Ty-Marrec coming just 18km from the finish expect to see
attacks to try and get away from what will already be a small
group.
After completing the opening four laps riders complete a
13.9km circuit before reaching the finish. Much of the course
is the same including the Côte du Lezat and Côte de Ty-Marrec,
with the middle section cut out. With much less respite
between Côte du Lezat and Côte de Ty-Marrec expect a fierce
pace. If there is still a group together coming in to the Côte
de Ty-Marrec expect those without a quick sprint to try and
escape. Dropping the likes of Vos, Johansson and Armitstead
will likely be difficult.
The Contenders
Marianne Vos
Might not have defended her win at Open de Suède Vargarda last
weekend but she still won the reduced bunch sprint for 4th.
Has not finished outside the top 10 once this season and has
20 wins in 2014. She has been happy to support teammates at
various points this season and it is likely we will see that
continue. Distancing Vos will be difficult unless she is happy
to let a group with a teammate go. In a sprint finish will be
nearly impossible to beat.
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
There is not much the talented Frenchwoman cannot do. She
climbs with the best of the them, her sprint against the likes
of Johansson and Armitstead is unlikely to see her take the
win however. Has spent the past few weeks racing on the dirt
but with the World Championships fast approaching expect to
see her fighting for the win and road form.
Emma Johansson
Johansson probably races more than anyone although she has
missed a number of races you would normally see her in this
year. Whatever the race she is always in the mix. Nine wins
this season and after three podium places here including
second last year she will be looking towards that top step.
Orica-AIS made a big mistake letting a group go last weekend
with anyone in it. From here they used up the team chasing
leaving Johansson isolated at the finish. Rest assured the
team will not allow that to happen again and they bring a team
full of climbers and domestiques.
Orica-AIS
They bring a strong squad to support Johansson but don't
discount others on the team. They probably haven't brought a
team this strong to a race for a while and will be looking to
take the win. Carlee Taylor is one of the best domestiques in
the business and will sit on the front chasing for as long as
she needs to. Gracie Elvin and Amanda Spratt are both very
strong puncheurs, climbing well on sharp climbs and from a
small group has a very quick finish. The Australian National
Championships course is not unlike the route here and they are
the two more recent winners there. Expect to see Valentina
Scandolara her attacking self to take pressure off the team.
Elisa Longo Borghini
Fifth at the Giro Rosa, and the winner of stages and the
overall at both Tour de Bretagne Féminin and Trophée d'Or
Féminin in the past two months. One of the strongest climbers
in the women's peloton and will no doubt attack on the Côte de
Ty-Marrec.
Ashleigh Moolman
Along with Longo Borghini, Moolman forms part of a very strong
Hitec Products duo. Hasn't quite repeated her success of 2013
but has strong results since the South African National
Championships in January. It is on this sort of terrain that
Moolman is at her best. Hasn't raced since taking Bronze in
the road race at the Commonwealth Games.
Evelyn Stevens
Hasn't raced as much in 2014 as previous seasons. Did her own
Grand Tour riding the Giro Rosa and then the Internationale
Thüringen Rundfahrt the next day, where she took a stage and
the overall win. Helped Specialized-lululemon take a more than
dominant win at the Open de Suède Vargarda TTT. In the road
race didn't seem at her absolute best but should never be
discounted.
Karol-Ann Canuel
You might not remember it but Canuel was 5th here last year,
as one of a few riders chasing after Vos, Johansson and Van
der Breggen. Part of the winning Specialized-lululemon squad
in the Open de Suède Vargarda TTT and took 17th in the road
race. Her form looks to be peaking for this race so don't be
surprised to see her up there again this year.
Tiffany Cromwell
Made the switch to Specialized-lululemon but hasn't quite had
the season she might have hoped. Just missed the podium in the
road race at the National Championships in January, which was
a big target. It was the same case at the Commonwealth Games
missing a medal by centimetres. Didn't race in Sweden last
weekend but has a track record here finishing second in 2012.
Her form seems to be coming good with fifth at the Ladies Tour
of Norway. With Worlds fast approaching don't expect her to be
at her best yet though.
Lizzie Armitstead
Has already sealed the overall World Cup classification but
don't expect her to now sit back and not fight for the win.
Her success in 2014 has been what many knew she was capable
of. With that said wins are still elusive. Took the win at
Omloop van het Hageland and then the first World Cup Boels
Rental Ronde van Drenthe but then had to wait four months for
the next win. Only four wins this year. Her climbing has
improved and that will be important here but in a sprint
doesn't seem anywhere near as fast as she used to.
Boels-Dolmans
Armitstead is the undisputed leader of the team but with the
World Cup won it might be time to pay back her team for the
support this year. Jessie Daams is a very underrated rider,
you don't often hear the name but when you look at her results
they are always very good. Much more so when you consider she
normally rides in support of others. A great climber so don't
be surprised to see her perform well. Megan Guarnier is
another strong climber who often sits a little under the
radar. Solid results all season including 7th at the Giro
Rosa.
Alena Amialiusik
Started the season strongly in South America before returning
to Europe and picking up consistent results there. Took a bit
of a surprise third place at Trofeo Alfredo Binda but it was
an indication of what she can do. Finished 14th at the Giro
Rosa and second earlier this month at La Route de France. The
course is one of the better ones for her with short steep
climbs. Currently tied on points in the mountain
classification and with Koedooder not racing is likely to walk
away with at least one prize.
Elena Cecchini
The Italian National Championship and track rider has already
sealed up the young rider classification but for Cecchini who
has improved the most of anyone this year there are bigger
targets. Finished 11th last year and her climbing has improved
a great deal since then. Seems to be coming in to form after
spending some time on the track, 11th last weekend at Open de
Suède Vargarda. Look for a strong result from Cecchini.
Claudia Lichtenberg
Joined Giant-Shimano as an option for GC in stage races and
the hillier one day races Lichtenberg has picked up solid
results. Won the opening stage and the overall at La Route de
France, 5th Emakumeen Euskal Bira and 6th Giro Rosa. The short
sharp climbs are not perfect for her here but you can still
expect a strong performance. Finished just outside the top 10
last weekend at Open de Suède Vargarda.
Other names to watch: Anna van der Breggen, Audrey Cordon,
Elena Berlato, Christine Majerus, Sarah Roy, Elena
Kuchinskaya, Rossella Ratto and Sofie De Vuyst. |
|
|
|