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Junior Women's Individual Time
Trial Preview |
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With the lack of junior racing at
UCI level there is unfortunately few opportunities for riders
to test themselves against each other.
The Route
The Contenders
The Australian's
As usual the Australian junior women's team is one of
strength. All three are not capable of just a medal but of
winning.
Alex Manly: Took bronze last year just eight seconds off gold.
A year older and a lot stronger Manly goes in as the favourite
to take gold this year. Gold in the IP and TP at the recent
Track World Championships is a further demonstration of her
engine. Current Oceania Champion.
Macey Stewart: Top junior in the TT at Mersey Valley Tour
(Australian NRS) earlier in the year beating both her
teammates here by considerable margin. Also finished second
behind Anna-Leeza Hull at nationals. Also a dual Track World
Champion in the Omnium and TP, with the IP time in the omnium
more than good enough for at least silver in the standalone
IP. Against the clock is very strong. Took a win in a junior
kermesse earlier this month as well as two top 5 in senior
events.
Anna-Leeza Hull: Current Australian champion with a dominant
win over Manly and Stewart. How much can be read from that
result is unclear with the former two both in the middle of
track preparation. Hull has been beating more experienced
riders in the Australian NRS this year.
The trio are coached by Donna Rae-Szalinski (aka Supercoach)
who lead Jess Allen to gold in 2011 and Manly to bronze last
year among other successes. Don't be surprised to see two or
even all three on the podium.
Aafke Soet
Soet may be the biggest threat to the Australian trio. Was a
convincing winner at the Dutch Championships over second year
junior Chanella Stougje. Also the current European Champion
against the clock but as a first year junior will be up
against more experienced rivals.
Italy
Alice Gasparini: Third in Italian Championships back in June.
More recently second at European Championships just five
seconds from the gold medal.
Sofia Bertizzolo: Second in both the Italian and European
Championships against the clock last year. A potential
contender but against the more specialist TT riders will be
hard to make it on to the podium. The road race is the
stronger medal chance for her.
France
Greta Richioud: Third in the European Championships and was
just two seconds off the win in the French Championship last
month.
Margot Dutour: Current French TT champion. Didn't ride
European championships.
Other names to watch: Daria Egorova (RUS) and Pernille
Mathiesen (DEN).
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