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Molecaten Drentse 8
Preview |
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Molecaten Drentse 8 marks the
start of the week of 3 races in the Netherlands. The course
has changed for this year and gone are the figure of 8 laps
that gave the race its name. Held just two days before the
first round of the 2014 World Cup Ronde van Drenthe it is an
important warm up race and a last chance to fine turn form.
Now retired Ina-Yoko Teutenberg holds the record of three wins
here and it is also the last race she road. After a crash last
year ended her season she then made the decision to retire at
the end of last year. World Champion Marianne Vos has won the
race twice including last year but is still taking time off
the bike. The 2012 winner Chloe Hosking will be on the start
line.
Last year the race ended in a bunch sprint with Marianne Vos
taking the win in her first race of the year ahead of Giorgia
Bronzini and Emma Johansson.
The Route
The race starts with a series of four laps over a 6.5km
circuit around Dwingeloo. There are no categorised
climbs and it is almost completely flat. The first sprint point comes on the last lap at
18.8km. After the opening circuit the flat roads continue.
Before reaching the finishing circuit riders must get through
two narrow cobbled sections. After the two climbs riders then
tackle five laps of an 11.1km finishing circuit. There are
points available crossing the line the second and third time.
The Contenders
Based on provisional start list.
Emma Johansson
The World Number 1 has been on the podium of the first three
European races. Took the win at Le Samyn and 2nd at Omloop Het
Nieuwsblad and Omloop van het Hageland. Always consistent and
is rarely outside the top 10 and more often than not on the
podium. Has shown she has her traditional early season good
form. The change in route is more suited to her and with a
strong team behind her will be a strong chance to take the win
and give her another confidence boost ahead of Ronde van
Drenthe
Chloe Hosking
The only former winner on the start list, showed good form
taking third overall at the Tour of Qatar. Finished 28th and
18th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Le Samyn but this is a race
she has done well at in the past. Other than her win in 2012
finished 7th last year. Has a strong team for support in the
sprint.
Lizzie Armitstead
Has had a strong season so far 2nd in a stage at the Tour of
Qatar and since returning to Europe rounded out the podium at
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and beat Emma Johansson in a two up
sprint at Omloop van het Hageland to take her first UCI win in
two years. A fast finisher and with a win under her belt early
giving her a confidence boost expect another strong result.
Giorgia Bronzini
Hasn't raced since the Tour of Qatar and other than a 2nd
place on the final stage was quiet. Sat out the opening week
of racing in Belgium and after a disappointing three races for
her team Bronzini will hope to change that. Finished 2nd her
last year behind Vos and with strong support from Emily
Collins, Peta Mullens and Emilia Fahlin in a sprint finish
will be a name to watch.
Annemiek van Vleuten
Took the overall World Cup win in 2011 and has had a strong
start to the season. Took 9th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, sat
out Le Samyn and took 6th at Omloop van het Hageland. A fast
finisher but not as fast as some of the pure sprinters on the
course.
Thalita De Jong
One of the youngest riders on Rabo but now in her third year.
In the past has played a support role but with Marianne Vos
having a late start to her season other riders have had to
step up. Took 4th at Omloop van het Hageland.
Amy Pieters
With Wild not racing Pieters has another chance for herself.
Has had one of the best starts to the year with a stage and
2nd overall in Qatar and then taking the win at Omloop Het
Nieuwsblad. A fast finisher who has proved the past two years
the harder the race the better her chances.
Lucy Garner
Started her season at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad where she finished
in the main peloton over six minutes behind. Took her first
pro victory at the Tour of Chongming Island against some of
the best in the world but with an on form Amy Pieters on the
team likely to play a support role.
Shelly Olds
Took three top 10 finishes including 2nd on the first stage at
the Tour of Qatar. Then headed to South America where she took
two stages at the Vuelta Internacional Femenina a Costa Rica
although against limited competition. Just missed out on the
podium last year in fourth as part of her strong classics
season. Finished top 6 in the first six classics of the
season.
Tiffany Cromwell
Started the season strongly with 4th and 5th in the road race
and time trial respectively at the Australian National
Championships. Took 9th overall at the Tour of Qatar and
missed out on defending her win at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad but
still finished a strong 7th. Her Specialized-lululemon team
has been quiet expect that to change heading in to the first
World Cup.
Elena Cecchini
Finished 8th overall at the Tour of Qatar despite missing the
main move on stage 1. Has only ridden Omloop van het Hageland
since returning to Europe but finished 18th in the main group.
Has a fast finish especially after a hard day. Finished 5th
last year and based on her early season form should be
contending for a top 10 finish again.
Gracie Elvin
Defended her Australian National title in early January and
had a strong Tour of Qatar playing a team role. Arrived in
Europe only days before Omloop Het Nieuwsblad but after time
to transition finished 27th in the main peloton. With
Johansson on good form likely to play a support role but in
the right scenario could get a chance for herself.
Maura Kinsella
Rides for Optum but is part of the Unites States National
team. Rode all three of the opening Belgium classics and took
a strong 6th at Le Samyn.
Other names to watch: Anna van der Breggen, Roxane Knetemann,
Loes Gunnewijk, Nina Kessler, Carmen Small, Elisa Longo
Borghini, Emilia Fahlin, Charlotte Becker, Lucy Martin and
Joanne Hogan. |
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