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Ronde van Vlaanderen
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Ronde van Vlaanderen is the third
round of the Women's World Cup and arguably the most important
race on the calendar. Run along side the men's race since 2004
and is one of the longest standing rounds of the World Cup.
Until last year it was one of the few races that Mariaane Vos
had not won. Two riders have won the event twice Judith Ardnt
and Mirjam Melchers-Van Poppel.
Last year chasing her first win Vos attacked on the Oude
Kawaremont with Emma Johansson and Elisa Longo Borghini
quickly on her wheel. World Time Trial Champion Ellen van Dijk
managed to bridge across making four leaders. Despite a number
of attacks the group remaining together. Mariaane Vos took the
sprint ahead of van Dijk and Johansson with Longo Borghini
missing the podium in 4th. A chase group of five riders
crossed 2:37 down with Annemiek Van Vleuten taking 5th. The
main peloton was lead over the line by Kirsten Wild over four
and a half minutes down.
The Route
The first 40km are relatively flat with the first climb the
Wolvenberg coming at the 42.7km mark, less than 10km later
riders hit the Molenberg at 50.5km with the cobbled section of
the Ruiterstaat in between. 5km later riders hit the
Paddestraat and then the Lippenhovestraat cobbled sections.
The next climb the Leberg comes at 73.8km but not before the
Haghoek cobbled section. From here the climbing really starts
with the Hostellerie at 78.6km, Valkenberg at 86.7km, Kaperij
at 97.4, Kanarieberg at 104.7km and Kruisberg at 113.1km. Over
the top of the Kruisberg there is only 26.5km to go but that
includes the famous Oude Kwaremont (2.2km at 4.2% average) and
the Paterberg (380m at 13.7% average). At 380m the Paterberg
is relatively short but at 13.7% average with a max of 20% it
presents a chance for those to attack who don't want a sprint.
At only 13km to a strong rider or small group could hold off
to the finish.
The Contenders
Official start list available
here.
Lizzie Armitstead
The current World Cup leader is here with her first big target
of the year. Took victory at Omloop van het Hageland ahead of
taking the first round of the World Cup at Boels Rental Ronde
van Drenthe. Almost won the second World Cup at Trofeo Alfredo
Binda but was unable to catch World Number 1 Emma Johansson
who started her sprint early. A fast sprinter especially from
a small group but attacked on the VAMBerg at Ronde van Drenthe
with nobody able to follow and bridged across to the lead and
easily won a two up sprint. Even more impressive was her ride
at Trofeo Alfredo Binda as she made the front group and was
only beaten when Johansson started her sprint early.
Emma Johansson
The Queen of Consistency is always around the mark no matter
what the race. Started her year with 4th at the Tour of Qatar
and has finished top 8 including three victories and six
podiums in her eight one day races so far. In the first World
Cup Johansson was left isolated and her effort to rejoin after
missing a split saw her empty at the finish but still managed
8th. A fast finisher but not a pure sprinter expect to see her
try and get away on the two final climbs. Took a strong
victory at Trofeo Alfredo Binda outsmarting the elite group.
Anna van der Breggen
Had a quiet start to the year but in the first two World Cup's
has been at her best. Went on the attack with teammate
Annemiek Van Vleuten at Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe. Was
caught in the closing stages by a surging Lizzie Armitstead
who outsprinted her for the win. Made the elite selection at
Trofeo Alfredo Binda just missing the podium in 4th. With Vos
still out from racing van der Breggen will be one of a number
of chances from Rabo.
Annemiek Van Vleuten
Was part of a two rider break with teammate Anna van der
Breggen at the Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe only losing
contact in the closing stages. Was picked up by the chase
group and sprinted to third to take 5th overall. A strong
start to the year with 9th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and 6th at
Omloop van het Hageland. Won back in 2010.
Loes Gunnewijk
Arguably the best road captain in the business usually finds
herself marshalling the team but is also one of the best in
the business in the cobbled classics. Illness impacted her
early season for but has come back strong taking 12th at the
Novilon Eurocup.
Ellen van Dijk
Came very close to the win last year just missing out to Vos
in the sprint. Was meant to start the year in Qatar but
illness stopped those plans. Has just six race days so far but
has posted consistent results including three top 10 finishes.
4th at Le Samyn and 7th and 8th respectively at the first two
World Cups. With an on form Lizzie Armitstead on the team
expect to see van Dijk again playing a support role but is
likely to have a strong result herself.
Chantal Blaak
Blaak attacked the remaining peloton in the closing stages of
the Molecaten Drentse 8 and held off the peloton to take her
first win of the year. Followed up two days later with 2nd in
the chase group sprint for 4th at the Boels Rental Ronde van
Drenthe. Tried a late attack again at the Novilon Eurocup and
despite being caught still sprinted to 5th.
Tiffany Cromwell
Cromwell's move away from Orica-AIS is yet to pay off but in
her first year as one of the leaders for Specialized-lululemon
she is moving in the right direction. 7th at Omloop Het
Nieuwsblad and the Novilon Eurocup. Has clearly improved her
sprinting taking 2nd at the GP Comune di Cornaredo where she
beat Giorgia Bronzini.
Evelyn Stevens
Despite only starting her European season last weekend at the
Trofeo Alfredo Binda Stevens still managed a strong 21st from
the main chase group. Has only ridden the race once before
finishing 32nd in 2012 and with a number of inform teammates
may not be the best choice.
Chloe Hosking
Took a stage win after getting the jump on Giorgia Bronzini on
the second stage of the Bay Crits in January. Followed that up
with 3rd in Qatar her fourth top 10 finish there in a row.
Finished 9th in Molecaten Drentse 8 earlier this month and has
a strong team to support her in a sprint finish.
Elisa Longo Borghini
Last year Longo Borghini was the only rider who was able to go
with Vos and Johansson and at 21 maybe paid for the effort in
the end but still finished an impressive 4th. Has had a strong
start to the year with 8th at Le Samyn and 10th at Omloop van
het Hageland in the opening week in Belgium. Missed the main
group at Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe but finished a strong
6th at Trofeo Alfredo Binda. In a sign of good form was part
of a move with Emma Johansson at Cholet Pays de Loire and was
only caught on the line but still managed 3rd.
Kirsten Wild
While on paper it may not seem like the course for a pure
sprinter Wild has finished in the top 10 in five of the last
six editions including three podiums (2008-09). Despite the
nature of the course Wild has been able to navigate the climbs
in a good position. If it comes down to a sprint from a group
with Wild she will be very hard to beat.
Amy Pieters
Pieters has been one of the stand out riders so far this year
winning a stage and finishing 2nd overall in Qatar before
winning the opening European race of the Omloop Het
Nieuwsblad. Has also taken top 10 finishes at Le Samyn,
Molecaten Drentse 8 and the Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe.
Took two podium finishes (both 3rd's) at the Tour of Chongming
Island and Open de Suède Vargarda World Cup Rounds last year.
Alena Amialiusik
A strong climber Amialiusik took a bit of a surprise 3rd place
finish at Trofeo Alfredo Binda. Had a strong start to the year
in South America with four wins. Finished 10th in 2012 and
with good form Amialiusik is a strong outsider.
Jolien D'Hoore
Despite the pressure of mixing track and road D'Hoore has had
a strong opening few months. 7th at the Tour of Qatar and 4th
at Novilon Eurocup in only her second race back since the
Track World Championships. Missed the two rider break at the
Cholet Pays de Loire but managed to catch Longo Borghini on
the line to take 2nd.
Other names to watch: Lucinda Brand, Thalita De Jong, Iris
Slappendel, Amanda Spratt, Gracie Elvin, Megan Guarnier,
Carmen Small, Trixi Worrack, Audrey Cordon, Ashleigh Moolman,
Lauren Kitchen, Charlotte Becker, Giorgia Bronzini, Shelley
Olds, Liesbet De Vocht, Amy Cure, Jo Hogan and Grace Verbeke. |
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