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Women's Team Time Trial Preview |
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The TTT discipline in women's
cycling has been dominated the past three years by the US
registered Specialized-lululemon squad, who have won both
previous editions of the race.
Previous Editions
2012
1 Team Specialized–lululemon
2 Orica-AIS +24
3 AA Drink-leontien.nl +1:59
4 Rabobank Women +2:20
5 RusVelo +2:30
6 Be Pink +3:14
7 S.C. Michela Fanini-Rox +4:37
8 Hitec Products +4:38
9 Dolmans–Boels +5:00
10 Lotto Belisol Ladies +5:31
2013
1 Specialized–lululemon
2 Rabobank-Liv +1:11
3 Orica-AIS +1:33
4 RusVelo +2:02
5 MCipollini-Giordana +2:18
6 Wiggle-Honda +2:33
7 Team Argos-Shimano +2:50
8 Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies +3:03
9 Sengers Ladies +3:05
10 Boels Dolmans Cycling Team +3:33
The Route
The 36.15km course is not as flat as last year but it is still
far from mountainous. The first 10km are on a very gradual
downhill with the next 15-20km a more gradual uphill run. The
main feature is a climb that tops out with just over 3km
remaining. With a gradient of 7% it might cause some trouble
if teams have gone out too hard even though it is short. The
descent has a gradient of -12% not overcooking it while
holding as much speed as possible will be important.
The Contenders
Start order and times with rider list available
here.
Specialized–lululemon
With Ellen van Dijk leaving the team at the end of last year
there was some speculation 2014 could be the year the likes of
Orica-AIS and Rabo got closer and potentially even beat them.
That has not been the case and if anything they have actually
got even stronger. They won the TTT at Energiewacht Tour but
most teams didn't bring there A teams. Despite rain they set a
course record and won by 1:21 over Rabo at Open de Suède
Vargarda. They are the team to beat and the only thing that
could stop their run would likely be a mechanical or crash.
Rabo Liv
Second last year but over 1:11 down. They have a strong team
who can all hold their own in a time trial, especially
Annemiek van Vleuten. When you put them together the Rabo
train is just about as strong as you can find. They have
focused on the discipline but despite improving like everyone
else they are still well off the mark. Will challenge for a
medal but they will have to make no mistakes and have luck on
their side if they hope to take the gold.
Orica-AIS
Came close in 2012 just +24 behind Specialized–lululemon. The
team has changed with the retirement of Judith Arndt at the
end of 2012 a big loss in terms of power against the clock.
That said they still posses a very strong team in the
discipline and are another team that focuses on it. The big
engine of Emma Johansson combined with track TP specialists
Mel Hoskins and Nettie Edmondson makes them a name to watch.
4th +2:51 at Open de Suède Vargarda and 30" off the podium but
it was not their strongest team. Loes Gunnewijk is missing
from the team due to injury and her absence will be felt.
Expect them to be fighting for a medal.
Boels-Dolmans
The most improved team in 2014 thanks mostly to the arrival of
World ITT Champion Ellen van Dijk. Finished third in the only
real TTT test of the season at Open de Suède Vargarda but were
still over two and a half minutes behind
Specialized–lululemon. They now have the ability to fight for
a medal but it is most likely to be for bronze.
Other names to watch Bigla, Rusvelo, Optum-Kelly Benefit
Strategies and UnitedHealthcare. But expect the medals to come
from the four main teams listed above. |
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