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Dwars door de Westhoek
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Racing returns to Belgium after a
number of races in the Netherlands for the fourth round of the
Lotto Cycling Cup Dwars door de Westhoek. Last year Anna Van
der Breggen stole the race from the sprinters to take a solo
win with Jolien D'hoore winning the bunch sprint for second
ahead of Lucy Garner.
2014 Results
1 Anna VAN DER BREGGEN
2 Jolien D'HOORE +12
3 Lucy GARNER +12
4 Thalita DE JONG +12
5 Pauline FERRAND PREVOT +12
6 Melissa HOSKINS +12
7 Alexandra CHEKINA +12
8 Maria giulia CONFALONIERI +12
9 Emma JOHANSSON +12
10 Elke GEBHARDT +12
Past Winners
2014 - Anna Van der Breggen
2013 - Jolien D'Hoore
2012 - Kim de Baat
2011 - Grace Verbeke
2010 - Liesbeth De Vocht
The Route
The race starts off in Boezinge for an opening lap of 88.14km
that includes three smaller circuits of 13km that include the
Rodeberg climb. The three climbs come after 38.7km, 51.7km and
64.7km. At the conclusion of the third small lap the peloton
heads back to Boezinge for four laps of an 11.8km finishing
circuit. With the final ascent of the Rodeberg coming nearly
70km from the finish it is unlikely to be decisive.
The Contenders
Start list available
here
Jolien D'hoore and Wiggle Honda
2013 winner and runner up last year Jolien D'hoore is having
the season of her career so far winning Omloop van het
Hageland before taking out Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe and
finishing second at Ronde van Vlaanderen. Picked up a stage
win on the opening road stage of the Energiewacht Tour in
early April. Moves from the track
to road with ease and a short break to compete in the omnium
at the Track World Championships didn't stop her having a
strong start to the European road season. Wiggle has become
the strongest team in the peloton for bunch sprints and the
combination of D'hoore and Chloe Hosking will be back in
action here. Add in Dani King, Amy Roberts, Eileen Roe and
Emilia Fahlin and they have a very strong train.
Chloe Hosking is another strong option for the team but is
likely to again play a support role for D'hoore.
Lizzie Armitstead and Boels Dolmans
Boels Dolmans dominated the early season with Ellen Van Dijk,
Lizzie Armitstead, Megan Guarnier and Chantal Blaak collecting
wins. On paper Armitstead is one of the best riders on paper
for the win. Her finishing speed seemed reduced last
year but she is back sprinting better than ever in 2015. The
question is can she beat the likes of Wild, D'hoore, Garner,
Olds and Hoskins.
The climbs are a long way from the finish but don't be
surprised to see team try and attack at some point. The team
has regularly used Ellen Van Dijk, Chantal Blaak, Christine
Majerus and Megan Guarnier to put in an attack knowing they
have Armitstead for a sprint and they are likely to do it
again here.
Melissa Hoskins
Hoskins took two stage wins at the Santos Women's Tour in
January before claiming a maiden individual national title in
the points race and then added a world title in the team
pursuit at the Track World Championships. After slowly
starting her road season Hoskins is ready to start taking
advantage of her improving form. Hoskins will come in to the
race with confidence and a strong performance at the
Energiewacht Tour will have helped that. When on form and full of confidence
is very quick and capable of mixing it with the best. Finished
sixth last year and will be looking to improve on that here.
Will be able to count on strong support in the sprint from
Emma Johansson, Loes Gunnewijk and Amanda Spratt. Track duo
Alex Manly and Macey Stewart are settling in well and will
also be important.
Kirsten Wild
Claimed gold in the scratch race and bronze in the omnium at
the Track World Championships in February. Won Novilon Eurocup
in March and added another stage at the Energiewacht Tour.
Despite her stage win didn't seem as dominant as she has in
the past but then claimed a third win in a row at Ronde van
Gelderland showing she is still a force to be reckoned with.
Added another win yesterday at EPZ Omloop van Borsele in a
sign that she is back to her near unbeatable form.
Lucy Garner
The dual Junior World Champion took a win at the Tour of
Chongming Island in her first year as a professional in 2013
but was unable to find her same level of success last year
despite a number of strong showings. After a knee injury kept
her out of a number of early season races Garner is back and
ready to go. Sprinted to second on the weekend at Ronde van
Gelderland behind Wild. Clearly back to some good form.
Amy Pieters is another option for the team but in a pure
sprint Garner is the faster of the two.
Velocio-SRAM
Italian sprinter Barbara Guarischi gives the team an option it
hasn't had since the retirement of Ina-Yoko Teutenberg. An
underrated rider but one that has a very quick finish. A
number of strong results in 2015 including third on the final
stage of the Tour of Qatar and 5th at Novilon Eurocup. Just
missed a stage win at the Energiewacht Tour and made the
select group on a number of ocassions but struggled to hold on
when the pace increased.
Loren Rowney broke her collarbone at Molecaten Drentse Acht
van Westerveld after her best season to date including a
podium at the Santos Women's Tour. Missed out on riding
Flanders for the first time so expect to see her bounce back
here.
In Tiffany Cromwell the team has a strong rider for almost any
race and a rider that can be competitive in a number of
scenarios.
Amy Cure
Picked up another world title in the track in February this
time in the team pursuit but was unable to defend her title in
the points race due to a schedule clash. Has been easing back
in to the road but has yet to hit her best. When riding for
the Australian National team in 2013 picked up three sprint
wins. Track commitments kept her from racing much in 2014 but
has an opportunity to again show her talent on the road. Very
quick in a sprint and if Cure is on form will be fighting for
the podium.
Shelley Olds and Bigla
Crashed out of Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe but is ready to
return. One of the most consistent sprinters in the peloton
but wins are often hard to come by. Packs a very quick finish
but there is often someone who is just that little bit
fastest. Finished second to Wild at EPZ Omloop van Borsele in
a sign the lack of racing hasn't hurt her chances of taking
Bigla's first win of the year.
Bigla have another option in Annemiek Van Vleuten. Unlikely to
win a big bunch sprint so expect to see her on the attack.
Christina Siggaard
Has been performing well for the new UCI team Matrix Fitness.
17th at Omloop van het Hageland, 19th Cholet Pays de Loire
Dames and 20th at Gent Wevelgem before taking her best result
to date at the start of April in 15th at Grand Prix de
Dottignies. The team has been working well together and the
results each race are improving. It is only a matter of time
before Siggaard takes a top 10 result.
Sofie De Vuyst
Always strong in the classics especially when they are on home
roads in Belgium. Is always around the mark but with the
climbs so far from the finish and with a bunch sprint likely
her chances are not great. Without a strong finish a top 10
would be a good result.
Ale Cipollini
The team is full of options for a sprint finish including
Annalisa Cucinotta who surprised almost everyone to take the
win on the opening stage of the Tour of Qatar. Maria Giulia
Confalonieri is another option for team after finishing eighth
here last year. Simona Frapporti and Marta Tagliaferro are
other riders with strong sprints.
Other names to watch: Kelly Druyts, Kaat Hannes, Lucy Martin,
Sara Olsson and Marijn De Vries. |
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