| |
|
|
| |
Elite Women's Road Race Preview |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Is it an open race or is it an
open race? Vos looked far from her best in the TTT after
abandoning her previous two races. Was it a bluff or is the
form not there? The Netherlands lost Annemiek Van Vleuten and
Anna Van der Breggen after a crash in the TTT. That said the
Dutch team is still very strong.
Enter the names Emma Johansson, Lizzie Armitstead, Evelyn
Stevens, Tiffany Cromwell, Megan Guarnier, Trixi Worrack, Lisa
Brennauer, Jessie Daams and Ashleigh Moolman among others. Not
that they were not contenders before but now it seems even
more open. Not to mention that nine rider Dutch squad that
wherever you look it is strong!
Past Winners
2013 - Marianne Vos
2012 - Marianne Vos
2011 - Giorgia Bronzini
2010 - Giorgia Bronzini
2009 - Tatiana Guderzo
2008 - Nicole Cooke
2007 - Marta Bastianelli
2006 - Marianne Vos
2005 - Regina Schleicher
2004 - Judith Arndt
2003 - Susanne Ljungskog
2002 - Susanne Ljungskog
2001 - Rasa Polikeviciute
2000 - Zinaida Stahurskaia
What that list doesn't show is 2007-2011 Vos was second every
year.
Previous Editions
2013
1 Marianne Vos
2 Emma Johansson +15
3 Rossella Ratto +15
4 Anna van der Breggen +33
5 Evelyn Stevens +46
6 Linda Villumsen +50
7 Tatiana Guderzo +52
8 Elisa Longo Borghini +52
9 Tiffany Cromwell +1:40
10 Tatiana Antoshina +1:40
2012
1 Marianne Vos
2 Rachel Neylan +10
3 Elisa Longo Borghini +18
4 Amber Neben +33
5 Anna van der Breggen +55
6 Rossella Ratto +3:40
7 Linda Villumsen +4:37
8 Judith Arndt +4:37
9 Emma Johansson +4:37
10 Paulina Brzezna +4:37
The Route
Seven 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. In the junior women's race we saw
similar things on the final lap. Attacks on the final climb in
the junior women’s it regrouped on the descent for a sprint.
In the under 23 men’s it also regrouped on the descent but a
solo rider managed to hold on
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
Marianne Vos
Since winning her first gold in 2006, Vos has finished either
first or second every year including wins in the past two
years. It is a record to be envied but three gold from eight
shows Vos is not invincible. Though this course suits her. Few
if any can out sprint her when she is flying and the steep
sections on the climbs suit her as well. The question though
is 'is she flying'? Indications are she is not. As mentioned
before dropped early in the TTT and abandons in the Boels
Rentals Ladies Tour and Lotto Belisol Belgium Tour. Those were
planned to allow her to record for the Worlds but either it
hasn't worked or it has and she is bluffing anyone. She
started her season later but since then has been flying all
year, with 21 individual victories. That number probably would
be over 30 if not for supporting teammates in several races.
Eventually the form was going to end and maybe we are seeing
it here.
The Netherlands
As always they are strong. They have a nine rider team with, 2
places over the maximum thanks to Vos as defending champion
and Sabrina Stultiens as European Champion. To say the team
was week would be foolish. But I think everyone can agree it
is not as strong as it looked before the TTT. Unfortunately
two of the biggest stars of women's cycling Annemiek Van
Vleuten and Anna Van der Breggen were both forced out with
injuries.
Chantal Blaak - Had a strong early season winning Drentse 8
and the Energiewacht Tour. But may have peaked again at just
the right time. Won the Open de Suède Vargarda last month and
helped Specialized-lululemon to a third TTT victory. A strong
finisher who is also good on the climbs makes her a strong
candidate if Vos is not going well.
The other seven riders on the Dutch team: Lucinda Brand,
Thalita De Jong, Roxane Knetemann, Amy Pieters, Iris
Slappendel, Sabrina Stultiens and Ellen Van Dijk will be
interesting to watch.
Pieters was a late inclusion but she climbs well, but this
might be too much. In a sprint from a select group is capable
of the podium or even more.
Ellen Van Dijk missed out on the time trial rainbow jersey in
part due to weather. A door is now open on the Dutch team for
her and if Vos isn't feeling good could make up for the time
trial with a very strong showing here. Maybe even the rainbow
jersey.
Italy
In the past seven years Italy has been on the podium in all
but one year and has four wins. Two from Giorgia Bronzini and
one each for Tatiana Guderzo and Marta Bastianelli. Italy is
another power house of women's cycling so expect to again see
them in contention for the podium positions. They have
multiple cards to play
Giorgia Bronzini - Consecutive wins in 2010 and 2011 but is
this course too much. The 7 laps with two climbs will make it
hard for her especially in this field. We saw in the junior
women and u23 it is not impossible for a stronger sprinter to
be in contention.
Elena Cecchini - Another rider who could be there. Has had an
outstanding year thanks to her finishing speed and she also
climbs well. Likely to play a support role here but you never
know.
The two best options for Italy are probably Elisa Longo
Borghini (bronze in 2012) and Rossella Ratto (bronze last
year). Both are strong climbers who will fancy their chances
on a course like this. With attacks likely to fly on the final
lap it would be a surprise not to see both of them either
making moves or following them.
Finally you have the queen of the attack Valentina Scandolara.
As the name suggests she attacks. How Italy use her will be
curious. Do they send her up the road at some stage to take
pressure off of have her to support later in the race. Either
way is a valuable member of the team.
United States
Mara Abbott is probably the best pure climber in the peloton
but with the course the way it is, not really one for her. The
climbs are short and more suited to the puncheurs than a pure
climber.
Shelley Olds is a consistent sprinter but wins against the top
names in the peloton are hard to come by. Has good form
winning the prologue, stage 1 and the overall at Premondiale
Giro Toscana but the level of competition here is several
steps higher.
Evelyn Stevens collected the bronze medal in the time trial
showing her form is good. On a course like this she is one of
the best, able to go with attacks. Her finish well that
depends on what sort of group she is in. Don't be surprised to
see her try and make a solo move and try to time trial away.
Watch out for Megan Guarnier as well. A teammate of Stevens
next year and a rider that often slips under the radar. Hilly
stage races are more suited to her style.
Germany
Lisa Brennauer
Not a surprise winner in the time trial but it was slightly
unexpected. Brennauer's confidence must now be sky high as she
also claimed the TTT gold with Specialized-lululemon. Could
Brennauer now take the road race make clean sweep the events?
Well I don't think it is out of the question. Strong results
all year including winning Ronde van Overijssel, both stages
and the overall at Auensteiner- Radsporttage, road race and
time trial at German Championships, prologue and third overall
Internationale Thüringen Rundfahrt and more recently a stage
and 2nd overall at Boels Rental Ladies Tour. Brennauer packs a
strong sprint from a select group and is also strong on the
type of short sharp climbs we have here.
Claudia Lichtenberg finished 12th last year but the former
Giro winner is another who is more suited to the longer climbs
and stage racing. Without a strong sprint will need to be in a
solo move or select group for a chance of a medal.
Sweden
Emma Johansson, the queen of consistency has had another good
year taking 10 wins. Might have slipped to number 2 in the
world but don't discount her. Has had a long season so how
much is left in her legs will be interesting. One of the best
one-day riders in the world and with or without teammates she
is strong. Early on she will have support but in the final
laps expect to see her isolated. Been on the podium twice;
second last year and third in 2010. This could be the year
Emma pulls on the rainbow jersey.
Great Britain
Lizzie Armitstead
Lizzie Armitstead stepped up this year winning the overall
World Cup but wins in races still proved near impossible to
get. Just four wins in the year and when you consider the year
she has had, it is surprising. He climbing has greatly
improved as we saw with a narrow second at La Flèche Wallonne
but this has slowed her sprint. Not as fast as she used to be.
If up against Vos in a sprint will be a tough ask. With the
Dutch team slightly weakened it will be her chance. Her team
is not overly strong, there is no questioning the talent of
Lucy Garner but this is not a course for her. How the two
mountain bike riders perform against the best road riders
could prove important for Armitstead. Will probably be
isolated early if the pace is high.
France
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
Give Ferrand-Prevot a bike and whatever discipline she will be
in the mix. Hasn't raced a lot on the road having competed in
other disciplines. Took her first pro win at La Flèche
Wallonne and then followed it up with two stages and the
overall at Emakumeen Euskal Bira and the French Time Trial and
Road Race Championship. Finished a strong second behind Vos at
the Giro Rosa. After riding with the Dutch for much of the
year, Ferrand-Prevot will now be riding against them.
Belgium
Jessie Daams
I have said numerous times throughout the year that Daams is
one of it not the most underrated riders. She is leaving Boels
Dolmans at the end of the year no doubt to get more
opportunities for herself. A former track rider who is also
very strong on the climbs. Numerous top 10 and 20 finishes in
2014 when most of the time has been supporting others namely
Lizzie Armitstead. This is a chance for Daams to shine and get
a strong result for herself. Watch for her she will surprise.
Sofie De Vuyst is another name to watch for Belgium.
Australia
Tiff Cromwell leads the Australian team after finishing ninth
last year. Will be hoping to end the season on a strong note.
Missed a medal by the narrowest of margins at the Commonwealth
Games. Had a consistent start to the year with numerous top 10
finishes. A win has eluded her but has been close numerous
times. Her future at Specialized-lululemon is secure so the
pressure is off. That said Australian results in Europe this
have bee few and far between so Cromwell will want to finish
off strongly. Has improved her sprint and on the short sharp
climbs will be going with the moves.
Katrin Garfoot and Lizzie Williams are both new to European
racing but are likely to be there supporting Cromwell at the
finish. Carlee Taylor is one of the best domestiques in the
business. Put her on the front and she will chase down
anything. Was instrumental in Cromwell's top 10 last year. The
Australian's have options expect them to use them.
Alena Amialiusik (BLR)
Had a strong start to the season in South America before
returning to Europe and finishing third at Trofeo Alfredo
Binda. 14th at Giro Rosa and in her last three races finished
2nd at La Route de France, 9th GP de Plouay-Bretagne and 5th
and a stage at Tour de l'Ardèche. Expect Amialiusik to be
aggressive on the climbs and in a sprint might surprise a few.
Ashleigh Moolman (RSA)
Hasn't repeated her 2013 season but another strong year. 4th
at Emakumeen Euskal Bira, 5th La Flèche Wallonne and 13th at
the Giro Rosa. Her best result came in the Commonwealth Games
road race with a third place finish, where she outsprinted
Tiffany Cromwell. The course is good for Moolman with short
sharp climbs and little room to recover. Expect to see Moolman
in the mix.
Other names to watch: Eugenia Bujak and Katarzyna Niewiadoma
(POL), Tatiana Antoshina (RUS), Linda Villumsen
(NZL), Christina Majerus (LUX), Mayuko Hagiwara (JPN) and Anna
Sanchis (ESP). |
|
|
|