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Open de Suède Vargarda TTT
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Despite being an exciting
discipline to watch we have seen very few team time trials in
either the women's or men's peloton this year. A major focus
for the big teams think Specialized-lululemon, Orica-AIS and
Rabo Live is the team time trial World Championship and the
Open de Suède Vargarda TTT gives the teams a rare opportunity
in race conditions to perfect their squads.
Stage 3B of the Energiewacht Tour was a short 15.1km TTT and
the only real indication of teams in 2014. How useful it is
however is another thing. The distance at 15km is only a third
of the 42.5km distance here. As part of a stage race the
riders teams took where not necessarily the best as many teams
had a bigger focus than just the TTT.
Energiewacht Tour Stage3B
1 SPECIALIZED-LULULEMON 19:22
2 BOELS DOLMANS CYCLING TEAM +7
3 RABO LIV WOMEN CYCLING TEAM +14
4 ORICA-AIS +16
5 TEAM GIANT-SHIMANO +33
Both Rabo and Orica-AIS (who were third and fourth
respectively) were missing a number of the best riders in the
discipline. While Boels Dolmans who were second and just seven
seconds off World Champions Specialized-lululemon brought
their strongest riders. The times were close as expected on
the short distance.
As a round of the World Cup there are points on offer in the
World Cup standings. The points are divided up amongst the
first four riders from the team.
The Route
An undulating course that includes the climbs from the road
race. The climbs themselves are not overly steep or long but
the undulating nature of the course could stop teams settling
in a rhythm they could on flat roads.
The Contenders
The big three in TTT are Specialized-lululemon, Orica-AIS and
Rabo Liv. Boels Dolmans have improved but are yet to make
their mark in a stand alone TTT. An opportunity exists though
for them to push themselves up in to the top tier of the
discipline.
Specialized-lululemon
In the past two years you would be hard to find someone to bet
against them. Much has changed since last year though most
notably they lost Ellen van Dijk to Boels Dolmans. Don't be
mistaken they are still the team to beat. Despite winning the
TTT at the Energiewacht Tour they no longer look as dominant
as they did. Have won both World TTT Championships and will be
looking for a strong showing here to show they are still the
favourites.
Orica-AIS
Took silver at the World Championships in 2012 and bronze last
year. Even without the strength of Judith Arndt they had in
2012 they are still one of the big three teams. Their fourth
at Energiewacht Tour doesn't mean they have fallen back. The
team they had there was missing Emma Johansson as well as
Nettie Edmondson who with a TP background makes her one of the
best in the discipline. A big downside though is the absence
of Loes Gunnewijk due to injury. Despite initially being down
to ride Edmondson will miss the race after illness at Ladies
Tour of Norway.
Rabo Liv
Rabo have made no secret of their intention to improve and
challenge for gold at the Worlds. Third at Energiewacht Tour
but a notable omission from the team there was Marianne Vos,
who had not started her season yet. Rabo have been almost
impossible to beat in races the past few months but this poses
another test for them.
Boels Dolmans
The recruitment of Ellen van Dijk has given their TTT
ambitions a big boost. Over the past few season van Dijk has
been the best against the clock but one rider does not make a
TTT. Will be able to take confidence from their second at
Energiewacht Tour but they arguably brought their top team
while others didn't. The distance at nearly three times as
long could also see them struggle against the more experience
three.
Another team to keep an eye on is Rusvelo. For those wondering
why Wiggle-Honda is not mentioned they are not riding the TTT,
road race only. |
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