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BeNe Ladies Tour
Preview |
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BeNe Ladies Tour returns for its
second edition during a packed weekend of racing. One of three
stage races over the weekend with Internationale Thüringen
Rundfahrt and Tour de Bretagne Féminin splitting the teams
across Europe. The first edition was won by Emma Johansson who
sealed victory in the time trial and picked up bonus seconds
to hold off Jolien D'hoore who won both road stages.
Johansson and Orica-AIS are racing Internationale Thüringen
Rundfahrt but D'hoore and her Wiggle Honda team are here
looking to go one better. The race is now four stages over
three days up from three stages over two days. Three flat
stages and one time trial that is likely to again be decisive
in the general classification.
2014 Results
1 Emma JOHANSSON
2 Jolien D'HOORE +2
3 Shara GILLOW +22
4 Amy PIETERS +23
5 Megan GUARNIER +29
6 Leah KIRCHMANN +32
7 Vera KOEDOODER +36
8 Liesbet DE VOCHT +42
9 Jade WILCOXSON +1:03
10 Nina KESSLER +1:25
Stage 1: Jolien D'hoore
Stage 2A: Emma Johansson
Stage 2B: Jolien D'hoore
Past Winners
2014: Emma Johansson
The Route
Stage 1 Philippine – Philippine
(84.4km)
Stage 2a Tijdrit Sint-Laureins ITT
(6.3km)
Stage 2b Sint-Laureins -
Sint-Laureins (101.3km)
Stage 3 Zelzate – Zelzate (108.3km)
Bonus Seconds
Finish
Stage 1 and 3: 10-6-4
Stage 2A: None
Stage 2B: 6-4-2
Intermediate
Stage 1 and 3: 2 sprints 3-2-1
Stage 2A: None
Stage 2B: 1 sprint 3-2-1
The Contenders
Start list available
here
Jolien D'hoore
Was two seconds off the win last year only beaten by Emma
Johansson. This year with no Emma Johansson and a strong
Wiggle Honda team, despite just having three teammates D'hoore heads in
as the standout favourite. The past 18 months have seen
D'hoore develop in to one of the quickest sprinters in the
peloton with six wins this year including the Belgium
Championship and the Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe. Wiggle
Honda can put together a very strong train with Amy Roberts,
Chloe Hosking and Annette Edmondson.
Annette Edmondson
Edmondson is a dual World Champion on the track and while she
is Likely to ride in support of D'hoore could
lead to a high overall finish as well. Edmondson can ride a
strong time trial especially over a shorter distance and with
6km is probably a little longer than she would like don't
discount a strong ride.
Leah Kirchmann
The former Canadian Champion is a real danger for the overall.
Might not be quite as quick in the sprints as the likes of
D'hoore and Garner but her time trialing is better and
Johansson last year proved that could be the difference. Not a
pure sprinter but still very quick with 3 wins in US UCI races
this year and second at White Spot Delta Road Race last
weekend. Raced here last year and finished sixth overall and
could well go better this year.
Elena Cecchini
Another national champion who is a big favourite to win here.
On a course that wasn't really suited to her Cecchini rode
away from a break and held off a chase from Elisa Longo
Borghini to defend her Italian title. Had three top 5 and two
podium finishes at the Giro before finishing 24th overall.
Climbing better than ever but her speed in the sprint seems to
have suffered for it. Comes from a track background and a
short 6km TT will suit her and with bonus seconds will be in
contention.
Ann Sophie Duyck
Successfully defended her national time trial title at the end
of last month and will be one targeting the time trial on day
two. Won the 6.3km prologue at Auensteiner- Radsporttage and
was third at Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs (5.6km) both
similar distances to the one we see here. When on form is one
of the best in the world finishing fifth at the World
Championships last year. A strong performance in the time
trial will set her up to target the overall.
Pernille Mathisen
Still a junior and if the name sounds familiar it should as
Mathisen won silver in the junior time trial at the World
Championships last year. Racing at this level will be a big
step up for her but it will be an important step in her
development. The 6.3km time trial will be a good indicator,
don't expect her to challenge for the win but keep and eye on
her.
Lucy Garner
After two years without a win despite numerous podium finishes
the former dual Junior World Champion will be looking to find
the top step of the podium here. Will be the biggest rival to
Jolien D'hoore who is also a former Junior World Champion.
With her quick finish will be contending for bonus seconds.
The time trial is the question and at 6.3km it is probably
just a little too long but if she can limit her losses could
bring herself back in to the fight for the overall.
Floortje Mackaij
Two wins already this year for Mackaij at Gent-Wevelgem and
the final stage of Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs. Not a
pure sprinter and contending for the overall with Garner on
the mix team it will be an interesting dynamic how they work.
Knowing Garner is there for a sprint is likely to go on the
attack and try and gain time that way.
Other names to watch: Kelly Druyts, Marijn de Vries, Janneke
Ensing, Natalie van Gogh and Sara Mustonen. |
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