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Ronde van Gelderland
Preview |
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Despite six minor climbs in the
first third of the race the rest of the race are pan flat.
While Ronde van Gelderland often comes down to a bunch sprint
the flat section is by no means easy.
Last year Shara Gillow spent the majority of the race in a
solo break but with a who's who of sprinters in the race it
was inevitable it would come back together. Argos-Shimano as
they were then known went to the front and gradually brought
the gap down. With the gap inside one minute Annemiek van
Vleuten bridged across but the chase continued and the race
was back together inside 30km to go. Wild was untouchable in
the sprint taking her 8th win of the year ahead of Giorgia
Bronzini and Chloe Hosking.
The Route
Profile available
here.
While there are six climbs in the first 45km they are all
small and unlikely to trouble any of the sprinters. There is a
profile but it is not to scale and the climbs are made to look
much more extreme than they are. The Emma Pyramide climb has
the highest average gradient of just 3% over 1.4km. The narrow
roads and likely strong winds are likely to play a major role
in the race and could cause the peloton to split with a small
group going away.
The Contenders
Kirsten Wild
The defending champion is arguably the fastest sprinter in the
women's peloton. When on form she is almost untouchable.
Started her season with her 4th overall win in the Tour of
Qatar after taking three of four stages. Continued to dominate
the sprints at the Energiewacht Tour taking the first two
stages in convincing style.
Chloe Hosking
Got the jump on the peloton to take victory at the second
stage of the Bay Crits ahead of Bronzini and Edmondson.
Finished 3rd overall at the Tour of Qatar after taking 3rd in
stage 1 and 3 and 6th in stage 2. Best result in Europe to
date has been 8th at Molecaten Drentse 8 but on a flat course
expect to see Hosking fighting for the win.
Melissa Hoskins
Finished 6th overall at the Tour of Qatar including 3rd on the
final stage just days after the Australian National Track
Championships. Had a long break after Track Worlds but
returned last week at the Energiewacht Tour and made the main
selection on a number of days including the final stage
showing her road legs have returned. With the wind likely to
cause splits on the flat roads expect Hoskins to be attentive
and make the split and with a fast finish will be dangerous.
Annette Edmondson
This is Edmondson's first major road race of the year.
Finished 2nd on two stages of the Bay Crits behind Bronzini.
Turned her attention to the track to take Gold in the Points
and Scratch and the National Championships and Bronze in the
Omnium at the World Championships. Returned to the road
earlier this month winning the bunch sprints on the final two
stages of the Adelaide Tour.
Emma Johansson
Arguably the most consistent rider, more often than not finds
herself in the top 10. Started the year with 4th in the Tour
of Qatar and has been top 10 in all 9 one day races she has
participated in this year. Including three victories and four
other podium finishes. Unable to match the pure sprinters but
has been known to use her experience to outsmart others.
Jolien D'Hoore
Another rider who splits her time between the track and the
road. 3 Top 10 finishes in Qatar to finish 7th overall.
Finished 4th in the Omnium at the Track World Cup before
making an almost immediate return to the road. Has been strong
since returning to the road taking 2nd at Cholet Pays de Loire
behind Emma Johansson and 4th at the Novilon Eurocup. 3rd in
the first stage and 4th in the second at the Energiewacht Tour
last year. Finished 2nd on the fourth stage just missing out
on the win when Lucinda Brand held off the chase to win solo.
Emily Collins
Took a bit of a surprise win at Omloop van het Hageland
last year beating Shelley Olds and Emma Johansson. Often finds herself
in a support role leading out Giorgia Bronzini but has shown
in the past has the speed to match it with some of the fastest
sprinters in the women's peloton. With no Bronzini in the race
a chance for herself appears.
Laura Trott
Finished 14th and 20th at Grand Prix de Dottignies and GP
Comune di Cornaredo after leading out Giorgia Bronzini in both
races. Without Bronzini had a chance for herself at the
Energiewacht Tour but wasn't really in the action. If for
whatever reason Bronzini is missing in the final Trott offers
another option.
Lucy Garner
On a team with the dominant Kirsten Wild, Garner must take
opportunities when they arise and she always steps up. Took a
stage win last year at the Tour of Chongming Island and has
been on the podium in 2nd and 3rd in her last two races at
Molecaten Drentse 8 and Grand Prix de Dottignies respectively.
If Wild has an off day Garner will be a name to watch closely
in the finish.
Annemiek van Vleuten
Not a pure sprinter but from a small group has a fast finish.
The flat nature of the final part of the course doesn't really
suit her but after going on the attack last year don't be
surprised to see van Vleuten try again. With wind likely to
play an important role expect van Vleuten to be in the mix.
Finished 10th last year.
Other names to watch: Anna van der Breggen, Janneke Ensing, Kim De Baat, Sofie De Vuyst, Lauren
Hall, Amy Cure, Emily Roper,
Vera Koedooder, Lauren Kitchen and Audrey Cordon. |
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