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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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