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Trofee Maarten Wynants Preview |
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After a number of stage races in
the UK, China, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic racing
returns to Belgium for the one day Trofee Maarten Wynants, the
fifth round of the year long Lotto Cycling Cup. The General
Classification is lead by Sofie De Vuyst on 114 points ahead
of Liesbet De Vocht on 90 and Jessie Daams on 81, all of whom
are down to start. Annelies Dom leads the Points
Classification, Emma Johansson (not riding) the Mountain
Classification. Futurumshop.nl-Zannata leads the Team
Classification on 120 ahead of Hitec Products on 112 and
Wiggle Honda on 107.
With the top teams having just ridden The Women's Tour and
many in China for the Tour of Chongming Island the field is
not the strongest. The 1.2 race offers 40 points for the
winner down to 1 for 10th.
The Route
The 120km race is held over 12 laps of a relatively flat but
undulating 10km circuit. Inside the final two kilometres the
roads start to rise before flattening out for the final few
hundred metres. There are not categorised climbs. The sprint
points come at the end of laps 3, 6 and 9. As well as €75, €50
and €25 for the first three across there are points for the
overall Points Classification.
The Contenders
Amy Cure
Had a stand out 2013 that saw her turn professional with Lotto
Belisol. Took two stages and the overall at the Tour de
Feminin-O cenu Ceského Švýcarska and a stage and 7th at
Trophée d'Or Féminin. Also finished 15th at Internationale
Thüringen Rundfahrt and 21st at Open de Suède Vargarda. Has a
fast finish but not the speed of the top sprinters making the
slightly hilly nature including the drag to the finish a big
advantage.
Jessie Daams
A strong but very underated rider. Has numerous top 10
finishes in one day races, strongest when the road starts to
turn up. The drag to up to the final few hundred metres should
allow an opportunity for Daams to attack especially after 12
laps. With an opportunity to move up in the Lotto Cycling Cup
GC expect Daams to be extra motivated.
Maaike Polspoel
Has a strong finish especially from a smaller group. Rides for
Giant-Shimano and on a team loaded with sprint talent gets few
opportunities for herself. With Wild racing in China, Polspoel
may get a chance on the Belgium National Team. 5th this year
at Le Samyn and 7th Grand Prix de Dottignies.
Sofie de Vuyst
One of the top riders in the classics. 9 top 10 finishes and
four top 10 including a podium at Le Samyn. Not a sprinter but
has a strong finish. In this field de Vuyst has a strong
chance to take her first professional win and extend her
overall Lotto Cycling Cup lead.
Martina Zwick
Not a name that immediately comes to mind but Zwick has solid
results in some of the smaller one day races. Has finished on
the podium at Knokke-Heist-Bredene and Dwars door de Westhoek
in the past. This year took 7th at GP Comune di Cornaredo and
more recently 5th at EPZ Omloop van Borsele.
Other names to watch: Liesbet De Vocht, Kelly Druyts, Kaat
Hannes, Mascha Pijnenborg, Taryn Heather, Jo Hogan, Natalie
van Gogh and Hannah Walker. |
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