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Ladies Tour of Norway
Preview |
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The new three day Ladies Tour of
Norway is the latest of a number of new races on the calendar
for 2014. Held in the border region between Norway and Sweden
the race starts with a short 2.8km prologue and two undulating
road stages.
The Route
Prologue
The 2.8km route is a plan flat out and back. The short
technical course is one for the real specialist.
Names to watch:
Annemiek Van Vleuten - Won the prologue at the Giro Rosa this
year and Elsy Jacobs in 2012 and 2013. One of the very best at
the discipline and it is very hard to see past her for the
win.
Melissa Hoskins - A track rider with a strong IP. Has shown
the best road form of her life this year. Was 5th in the
prologue at the Giro (only non Rabo rider in top 6) and 8th at
Festival Elsy Jacobs. A strong contender for the podium and
even the win.
Nettie Edmondson - One of the best IP riders on the track and
with an almost identical distance should suit her. Took a
break after taking silver in the IP at the Commonwealth games
but should still go well.
Marianne Vos - There is not much Vos cannot do, while time
trials are perhaps her weakest quality prologues are another
matter. Won at Elsy Jacobs and was second just 1" behind Van
Vleuten at the Giro.
Elke Gebhardt - 11th at Elsy Jacobs and 9th at Thuringen
Rundfahrt. Unlikely to challenge for the win or the podium but
a top 10 or even a top 5 is possible on a good day.
Lisa Brennauer - Won the prologue at Thuringen Rundfahrt but
that was a lot hillier, unlikely to go as well on the flat
course.
Emma Johansson - Time trialing is not her absolute strength
but prologues are much more suited to her. Racing on near home
roads will be extra motivation for Johansson.
Other names to watch: Anna van der Breggen,
Tiff Cromwell, Vera Koedooder, Stephanie Pohl and
Jessie MacLean
Stage 1
An undulating day with six short sharp climbs, though only two
are classified for the mountains classification. The up and
down nature of the route will put the pure sprinters under
pressure. The final climb tops out with around 10km to go and
riders will complete three laps of a 3km flat finishing
circuit. The short sharp climbs will likely result in a
reduced group. That said most of the peloton's pure sprinters
are currently at La Route de France leaving those who climb
better here.
The stage starts in Sweden and while the finish is in Norway
expect Emma Johansson to be extra motivated.
Total elevation gain for the stage is 1433m.
Names to watch: Marianne Vos, Annemiek Van Vleuten, Anna van der Breggen, Emma Johansson, Mel
Hoskins, Amanda Spratt, Taryn Heather, Lotta
Lepisto, Vera Koedooder, Rosella Ratto, Tiff Cromwell, Lisa
Brennauer and Jasmin Glaesser.
Stage 2
The final stage starts with three laps of 32.5km featuring a
major climb though only categorised on the final lap. After a
quick descent riders then climb up to complete three laps of a
3.4km finishing circuit. The elevation gain on the final lap
is only 64m but after the three opening laps riders will feel
it in their legs. Expect attacks to try and thin out what will
already be a reduced group.
Names to watch: Marianne Vos, Annemiek Van Vleuten, Anna van der Breggen, Emma Johansson, Amanda
Spratt, Taryn Heather, Rosella Ratto, Tiff
Cromwell and Lisa Brennauer.
The Contenders
Marianne Vos and Rabo
It is hard to see past Vos to take the overall win. The
prologue suits her as do both road stages. Her form this year
has arguably been some of her best and considering her
constant consistency that is saying something. Has not
finished outside the top 6 on 34 occasions (stages, one day
races and GC) this year. 30 podiums and 18 wins and she has
supported teammates in a number of races. Might not win the
prologue but will be close and both road stages suit her.
Rabo bring a strong team including Annemiek Van Vleuten and Anna van der Breggen. All three are
also genuine contenders for the win. Vos has been happy to
support teammates this year when they put themself in a
position to win. Don't be surprised to see two even three Rabo
riders on the final podium.
Emma Johansson
48 race days this year compared to Vos' 30 but Johansson is
never far from the mark. Like Vos the route suits her. Beat
Vos in the opening stage of The Women's Tour to show she can
when everything goes her way. Nine wins so far this year and
racing at an event that includes home roads Johansson will be
motivated.
Amanda Spratt
A broken collarbone at Ronde van Vlaanderen put a major
interruption to her season. A strong all rounder and the short
sharp climbs are a perfect opportunity for Spratt to attack
both to look to ride away and take the pressure off Johansson.
If she finds herself in the right opportunity will be a big
danger.
Rosella Ratto
We haven't seen a lot from Ratto this year, in fact hasn't
ridden very much. Finished third overall after a stage win
from a two rider break at The Women's Tour. Fourth at the
Auensteiner-Radsporttage is an indicator of how Ratto might go
here. A similar parcours and the 20 year old looked to be on
the path of becoming one of the best climbers in the peloton.
Dropping the likes of Vos, Ferrand-Prevot and Johansson on the
short sharp climbs will be hard but splitting the group will
likely lead to a strong overall finish.
Tiff Cromwell
After missing out on a medal at the Commonwealth Games
Cromwell will be looking for revenge here. Had a strong start
to the season with fourth at the national championships, after
joining Specialized-lululemon Cromwell has been quiet this
season. 2nd at GP Comune di Cornaredo, 6th Energiewacht Tour
and Auensteiner-Radsporttage but no doubt was hoping for more.
Still looking for win number one of the year.
Lisa Brennauer
Eight wins in 2014 with seven coming on German soil for the
dual National Champion. Time trials, sprints and climbs well.
Won both stages of Auensteiner-Radsporttage as well at the
opening prologue and third overall at Thuringen Rundfahrt.
Both races with similar parcours and since then 4th at La
Course and 4th at Sparkassen Giro. |
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