| |
|
|
| |
Junior Women's Road Race Preview |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Set to be an interesting race.
Defending champion Amalie Dideriksen returns to defend her
title. After suffering a heavy crash at the Track World
Championships her condition and form are probably not at the
level she would want.
Former winners include Nicole Cooke, Marianne Vos, up and
coming sprinters Lucy Garner and Jolien D’hoore and the ever
talented Pauline Ferrand-Prevot.
Past Winners
2013 - Amalie Dideriksen
2012 - Lucy Garner
2011 - Lucy Garner
2010 - Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
2009 - Rossella Callovi
2008 - Jolien D'hoore
2007 - Eleonora Patuzzo
2006 - Rasa Leleivyte
2005 - Mie Bekker Lacota
2004 - Marianne Vos
2003 - Loes Markerink
2002 - Suzanne de Goede
2001 - Nicole Cooke
2000 - Nicole Cooke
The Route
Four laps of an 18.2km circuit. Opinions on the course vary
but it suits puncheurs and those sprinters who can climb well
on short sharp climbs.
The first four kilometres are flat before the road starts to
climb. The first two kilometres of the 5km Confedaracion climb
have three sections at 8%. The average gradient of the first
3km is around 4.6% before it levels off towards the top to
around 1-1.5% On the first lap it might not distance too many
riders but in the third and final laps it will start to hurt.
After a quick descent riders face the Mirador, at just 1km
long it might not sound overly difficult but it has two
sections at 10% including the first 200m. After levelling off
it again kicks up to 10% with around 300m to the top. The
final 100m is flatter at just 2%
Over the top of the climb there is just over four kilometres
remaining. Half of that is downhill with the final 2km flat to
the line. The Mirador with its steep sections offers a final
opportunity to attack and distance any fast finishers. With
4km to go it is not a long way to go but they might have a
chance to hold on if no organised chase is quickly formed.
Some of the stronger teams might have more than one rider left
to try and bring it back together for a sprint.
The Contenders
Official
Start List
Australia
The Aussie's showed their strength in the time trial and don't
be surprised to see a repeat performance again with 1 or more
on the podium.
Macey Stewart
Might have surprised some with her ITT win but for those who
have followed her career it wasn't any surprise. Stewart is
the current Australian National Champion and the fastest
sprinter of the trio. If it comes down to a sprint from a
group expect to see the Aussies lead her out (all 3 could well
be there). Isn't a pure
climber but still handles the climbs very well and I think she
will make it to the finish in the front group. Handled the
hard final stage of Lotto Belisol Belgium Tour well.
Confidence will be sky high after her time trial win and has
been flying all season despite switching between track and
road. Macey doing the double would not be a surprise.
Alex Manly
Finished 8th last year and after missing a medal by half a
second in the TT on Monday expect a determined Manly to take a
spot on the podium and target that rainbow jersey. Track World
Champion in both the TP and IP and climbs with the best.
Doesn't have the fastest sprint but the second climb with its
10% section with 200m to go is the perfect spot for Manly to
attack. If she gets away you probably wont see her again as
she will time trial to the finish. A decent sprint but
wouldn't want to count on it from a large group. Finished
fourth at the Mersey Valley Tour (Australian NRS) earlier in
the year beating out names that included Lizzie Williams.
Anna-Leeza Hull
Out climbed even Alex Manly at Mersey Valley Tour (Australian
NRS). A crash on the final stage took away a strong GC finish.
But Hull was back flying two weeks later finishing on the
podium against a strong field at Battle on the Border. Like
Manly an attack on the final climb will be her best hope to
take the title. Hull is a first year junior but has been
setting Australia on fire. Comes in after bronze in the time
trial.
Amalie Dideriksen (DEN)
Dideriksen is the defending champion, after winning a two up
sprint last year to take the gold. A talented all rounder who
has a potent sprint and is also very strong on the climbs. Won
both road stages of the Junior EPZ Omloop van Boresele and the
scratch race at the Junior Track World Championships in 2014.
Was looking strong to take another win in the omnium before a
crash in the points race forced her to abandon. With the crash
unlikely to be in top condition but don't be surprised to see
the current Danish Champion in the mix.
Soline Lamboley (FRA)
Another rider who splits their time between the road and the
track successfully. Took silver in the scratch race and bronze
in the omnium at Track World Championships. Added to those
results with a solo win at the French National Championships
and finished sixth in the European Championships. How she
copes with the climbs in this field will be the important
question but in a sprint will be a danger for the likes of
Dideriksen and Stewart.
Sofia Bertizzolo (ITA)
Bertizzolo is the current Italian and European Road Race
Champion. After a slightly disappointing performance (14th) in
the time trial expect Bertizzolo to want to bounce back. A
first year junior up against some more experienced competition
taking the win could prove difficult. Still her win at
European's shows she should not be discounted.
Grace Garner (GBR)
If her names sounds familiar it should. The younger sister of
2011 and 2012 Junior Road World Champion. Like her sister
Grace has a fast finish on the line. How she handles the
climbs will be the difficult part. Some of the teams with
strong climbers will no doubt be looking to distance those
with faster sprints.
Jip Van Den Bos (NED)
Finished 4th at the European Championships after three riders
contested the win. Dutch hopes for a medal probably rest on
her shoulders. Will be hard to match some of the stronger
teams.
Spain
The home nation has yet to win a medal this year. The road
races, especially the elite men's were always going to be
their big chace but the Spanish team shouldn't be discounted
here.
Cristina Martinez
The current National Champion in the road race will looking
for a strong performance on home roads. Finished in the main
peloton at the European Championships but was not in the mix
in the sprint. With the quality of sprinters on this field who
can climb waiting for a sprint will likely see her outside the
medals. A solo attack as she did to win the National
Championships will be her best bet.
María Calderón is another name to watch.
Lisa Klein (GER)
A strong rider who finished 11th last year but her real
strength is against the clock. Dual National Champion in both
the time trial and road race. With her strength against the
clock will be dangerous in the final stages if she gets away.
Russia
Daria Egorova claimed bronze at the European Championships
from a three rider break that held off the field. Diana
Klimova made it two Russian's in the top 10 finishing in
eighth.
Tereza Medvedova (SVK)
Medvedova is an outsider. You might not be familiar with the
name but finished sixth last year in the main group. Double
National Champion but was well off the pace in both the time
trial and road race at Europeans.
United States
National Champion Janelle Cole leads a strong US team. Another
option for the team is Emma White who comes in with good form
taking fifth in the time trial on Monday.
Other names to watch Pernille Mathiesen (DEN), Aafke Soet
(NED), Melissa Lowther and Bethany Haywood (GBR), Fanny Zambon
(FRA) and Lenny Druyts (BEL). |
|
|
|