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Sparkassen Giro
Preview |
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2014 marks the 14th edition of
the women's version of Sparkassen Giro but 2014 is the first
year of its inclusion in the World Cup. Making it the first
German round since 2009. With the race having World Cup status
there is a renewed focus on the event. Part of a festival of
cycling it usually attracts big crowds.
World Cup leader Lizzie Armitstead will miss this round as it
clashes with the Commonwealth Games Road Race. The Tour of
Chongming Island World Cup is really the only round that is
perfectly suited to the sprinters but Sparkassen Giro is
another opportunity for them.
World Cup Rankings
Individual
1 Elizabeth ARMITSTEAD 420
2 Emma JOHANSSON 260
3 Anna VAN DER BREGGEN 238
4 Eleonora VAN DIJK 220
5 Elisa LONGO BORGHINI 215
6 Pauline FERRAND PREVOT 200
7 Kirsten WILD 186
8 Elena CECCHINI 137
9 Shelley OLDS 135
10 Giorgia BRONZINI 125
Armitstead has a 160 point lead over Johansson heading in to
the race. Even if Johansson wins and takes the 120 points
Armitstead will head in to the next round with a 40 point
buffer although the competition would be back wide open.
Team
1 BOELS DOLMANS CYCLING TEAM 721
2 RABO LIV WOMEN CYCLING TEAM 671
3 HITEC PRODUCTS 402
The Route
The race covers eight laps of a 15.5km circuit. The main
feature is a climb in the middle of the lap. The climb is likely to put some
riders in trouble, especially on the closing laps. The big
teams such as Rabo, Orica-AIS and Boels Dolmans will no doubt
look to distance the sprinters.
The Contenders
Emma Johansson
The World Number 1 is consistent. No other way to say it. If
she starts a race she almost always finishes in the top 10 and
more often than not on the podium. Sits second in the World
Cup rankings and a win here could put her within 40 points of
the overall lead. A fast finisher especially from a select
group. Expect to see Orica-AIS try and reduce the field as
much as possible to give Johansson the best chance.
Marianne Vos
Her late start to the season has not stopped her picking up 17
wins since the end of April. Has not finished outside the top
6 all year. Not a pure sprinter but time and time again she
outsprints them. We saw this again when she won La Course last
weekend. Vos will be very hard to beat regardless of the size
that comes to the finish.
Megan Guarnier
A slow start to the year but since returning to Europe after
the US National Championships has been on some of the best
form of recent years. 6th Emakumeen Euskal Bira, 7th Giro Rosa
and 4th BeNe Ladies Tour shows she is riding well. Has a
decent finish but not one that can match the pure sprinters or
the likes of Vos and Johansson.
Ellen Van Dijk
The World Time Trial Champion only has one win to her name
this year thanks to little time trialing in races. Though when
you consider that win was Ronde van Vlaanderen it makes up for
it. She won that race by attacking and time trialing to the
finish. Boels-Dolmans are missing Lizzie Armitstead so don't
be surprised to see van Dijk try and do exactly that here. Won
here in 2010.
Kirsten Wild
For the past few years Wild has been called the fastest
sprinter in the women's peloton. While this is probably still
the case she has been beaten by Bronzini, Hosking and Vos this
year. For a moment it looked like she would win La Course but
on the line Vos had the edge. The circuit nature of the race
suits her but teams will no doubt try and distance her on the
climb.
Amy Pieters
Started the year well with a stage and 2nd overall at the Tour
of Qatar before winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad the first
European race of the season. Has been consistent since then
with multiple podium places but is looking for her third win
of the year. Will support Wild but is a very strong second
option should something go wrong.
Elena Cecchini
The Italian National Champion is one of the most improved
riders this year. Her results from this year across various
terrain are impressive and she is still just 22. Second at the
Tour of Chongming Island World Cup is the most significant,
finishing behind Wild but ahead of the likes of Bronzini, Olds
and Hoskins. Climbs well and likes to attack and could well
surprise everyone for the win.
Shelley Olds
Of the sprinters probably climbs the best climber. The climb
is unlikely to cause a huge amount of damage but if raced hard
might just give Olds the edge she needs. Won the GP Comune di
Cornaredo earlier in the year as well as a number of races in
North and South America. 3rd on every stage of the Tour of
Chongming Island showing she is well up there against the best
sprinters.
Lisa Brennauer
If there is a race on Germany soil this year Brennauer has
either won it or been on the podium. Won both stages of
Auensteiner-Radsporttage, National Time Trial and Road
Championships, two stages and 3rd overall at Internationale
Thüringen Rundfahrt. The German Champion will be keen to show
off her National jersey on home roads. Finished 4th at La
Course showing her speed might not match the likes of Vos and
Wild but she is right up there. Can time trial very well so
might look to attack and try and hold off a chase.
Jolien D'Hoore
The Belgium National Champion has three other wins this year
including both road stages of the BeNe Ladies Tour. The level
of competition here is something else though. Took a top 5
finish at the Giro Rosa and 7th at La Course shows she is in
the mix. Has improved a lot this year and is likely to
challenge for a podium spot.
Alena Amialiusik
National Time Trial and Road Champion of Belarus is one for
the hillier races but she could still surprise. Was a surprise
3rd at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda World Cup in March. While that
race is significantly hillier she should not be discounted to
do something here. Was very aggressive at La Course and still
finished 23rd.
Sofie De Vuyst
Was one of the best riders in the early part of the season
with 3rd at Le Samyn, 4th Gent-Wevelgem, 5th Omloop van het
Hageland and 6th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Stood on the podium at
the National Championships and comes in with good form after
finishing 9th at Internationale Thüringen Rundfahrt. Can't
match the pure sprinters but if a reduced group contests the
finish a top 10 or even 5 is possible.
Vera Koedooder
Koedooder likes to attack and it saw her take a solo stage win
and 2nd overall in April at Energiewacht Tour. Recently
finished 3rd and 7th at Tour de Feminin and BeNe Ladies Tour
respectively. Time trials very well and the climb on each lap
may be an opportunity for her. If you let her get a gap will
be hard to bring back.
Giorgia Bronzini
Wins have not been easy to come by for the two time World
Champion this year. Won Grand Prix de Dottignies and then a
stage each at Tour of Chongming Island and Tour of Zhoushan
Island. Her stage win at the Giro Rosa ahead of Vos will give
her confidence. Expect her to bounce back from 11th at La
Course last weekend.
Other names to watch: Valentina Scandolara, Amanda Spratt,
Annemiek Van Vleuten, Katarzyna Niewiadoma, Jessie Daams, Chantal Blaak, Loren
Rowney, Liesbet De Vocht, Lauren Kitchen, Jacqueline Hahn,
Taryn Heather, Jo Hogan, Kelly Druyts, Charlotte Becker and
Emilia Fahlin. |
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