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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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