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La Course by Le Tour de France Preview |
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Ahead of the final stage of the
Tour de France the top women's teams will compete in the
inaugural edition of La course by Le Tour de France.
The Route
The route is well known. 13 laps of the near 7km circuit both
starting and finishing on the Champs Elysees.
The Classifications
Individual
A total of €17,000 for places in the race including €6000 for
the win. For those who may not be overly familiar with women's
cycling that is more than Marianne Vos got in total prize
money at the Giro Rosa.
Sprint
There is an intermediate sprint on the first 11 laps.
5-4-3-2-1 for the first 5 riders across the line.
There is no € prize for winning each sprint, just for the
overall classification. The winner receives €2,000 (more than
you get for winning most races) €1,000 for 2nd and €500 for
third (still more than for winning most races).
Young Rider Classification
Open to riders born after January 1st 1992.
The Contenders
Anything other than a sprint would be a big surprise so
naturally the big names are here. With the Commonwealth Games
having started for track riders and those competing on the
road a few names you might expect to be there are missing.
Marianne Vos
Vos is not a pure sprinter but as we have seen countless times
Vos often outsprints them. It will be a hard ask for Vos to
beat the likes of Kirsten Wild and Giorgia Bronzini who will
both have strong trains at their disposal but Vos has the
speed. Comes in after dominating the Giro Rosa including two
wins in bunch sprints. Her Rabo squad is the most powerful in
women's cycling.
Kirsten Wild
As the dominant sprinter in the women's peloton over the past
few seasons Wild starts the race as equal favourite with Vos.
10 wins this year plus the overall victory at the Ladies Tour
of Qatar and Tour of Chongming Island. In a strait sprint she
is near impossible to beat with only Giorgia Bronzini and
Chloe Hosking having managed to do so this year. Other than
the National Championships hasn't raced sine May as her focus
has been on the Track.
Giorgia Bronzini
4 wins and 10 podium finishes this year for the two time World
Champion on the road. The long run of second places this year
has to be frustrating for Bronzini but beating Wild in a stage
at the Tour of Chongming Island and her stage at the Giro Rosa
should give her confidence. While Wiggle Honda is missing
Laura Trott and Dani King at the Commonwealth Games, the team
brings strength in the leadout. New Zealand pocket rocket and
Emilia Fahlin will prove vital as will Charlotte Becker and
Beatrice Bartelloni for earlier work.
Shelley Olds
Olds is incredibly consistent when it comes to sprint. Her
palmares are dotted with 2nd and 3rd places. Wins however have
been harder to come by for the American. Of the sprinters
probably the best climber so the flat course he doesn't suit
her perfectly. Four wins this year but three come in the
America's. Her one win in Europe came at the GP Comune di
Cornaredo, where she did beat Bronzini showing she does have
the speed. Can count on strong support from Barbara Guarischi
and Marta Tagliaferro.
Emma Johansson
Like Vos she is not a pure sprinter but still packs a very
fast finish. Orica-AIS are missing their two pure sprinters
Mel Hoskins and Nettie Edmondon, both are at the Commonwealth
Games so Johansson is the teams best option. Orica-AIS is
always aggressive so expect to see them involved in attacks
and to leave Johansson as fresh as possible for the sprint.
The slight drag to the finish could suit Johansson. Won stage
1 of The Women's Tour ahead of Vos and comes in off the back
of the overall win at BeNe Ladies Tour.
Elena Cecchini
I have lost track of how many times I have said Cecchini is
the most improved this year. After a quiet early few years as
a professional the now 22 year old has moved to another level
this year. Won the Italian National Championship and only an
early victory salute cost her the win at the European
Championship. Might prefer a hillier course but still packs a
very quick finish. If there has been a sprint finish this year
she has normally been there. Her 2nd at the Tour of Chongming
Island World Cup shows just what she is capable of. Only Wild
could beat her with Bronzini, Hoskins and Olds and finishing
behind her. Comes in off a strong showing at the U23 European
Track Championships.
Lizzie Armitstead
There is no doubting Armitstead has been impressive this year
with more podium places than one can count but the wins have
still been elusive with three to her name. It is clear her
climbing has improved you need only look at her 2nd at La
Flèche Wallonne and attacking on the climbs at Internationale
Thüringen Rundfahrt. Her speed in the sprint has suffered for
that though. At the British National Championships attacked to
try and avoid a sprint against Laura Trott, and the level of
competition here is even higher. Don't discount her for a
podium but the win seems a bit of an ask.
Jolien D'Hoore
Like many of the sprinters in the women's peloton comes from a
track background. One of the top 5 Omnium riders in the world
and has stepped up on both the road and track this year. 7th
overall in Qatar before runner up to Kirsten Wild at Ronde van
Gelderland. Won the Diamond Tour although against very limited
competition on route to another National Championship. Won
both road stages at BeNe Ladies Tour although again the race
was missing the top sprinters. Still her confidence will be
high and a chance to show off the National Champions jersey on
live TV will be extra motivation.
Chloe Hosking
One of only two people to beat Kirsten Wild in a sprint this
year. Was disappointed to miss out on a number of
opportunities at the Giro Rosa so expect to see her fired up
for the win. Forced to abandon BeNe Ladies Tour with illness
so may not be 100%. Will be looking for a boost ahead of the
Commonwealth Games road race next week after taking Bronze in
Delhi four years ago.
Leah Kirchman
The Canadian Champion in both the Road Race and Time Trial
doesn't race much in Europe so comparisons to the best are
hard to make. Took 4th in EPZ Omloop van Borsele (won by
Hosking with Wild 2nd) and has been dominant in North America.
Won the recent White Spot / Delta Road Race in Canada and
finished 6th overall last weekend at the BeNe Ladies Tour.
Trixi Worrack
Another rider who still packs a quick finish despite not being
a pure sprinter. 5th overall in February in Qatar and numerous
top 10 places throughout the season. Specialized-lululemon
don't have a pure sprinter so expect to see them aggressive to
try and break the race to give their riders a better chance.
Hannah Barnes
Barnes has proven herself as one of the best on the British
domestic scene but remains new to this level. Won the first
stage of the Tour Femenino de San Luis although with limited
competition. Her performance at The Women's Tour show what she
is capable of with a 3rd and a 4th place against a strong
field. Lack of experience may be against her but still capable
of a strong showing.
Other names to watch: Marta Tagliaferro, Barbara Guarischi,
Jessie MacLean, Emily Collins, Amy Pieters, Jess Allen, Lizzie
Williams, Vera Koedooder, Sarah Roy and Sharon Laws.
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