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  Ladies Tour of Norway Preview  
     
  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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