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Erondegemse Pijl
Preview |
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The second half of the season is
well underway with a very packed calendar in the final three
months of the season. Erondegemse Pijl is the final round of
the Lotto Cycling Cup and with most teams focused on the
Sparkassen Giro World Cup the following day it gives some of
the smaller teams an opportunity.
2014 Results
1 DUYCK Ann-sophie
2 DE VOCHT Liesbet +8
3 EHRLER Desiree +8
4 KESSLER Nina +8
5 VAN DOORSLAER Annelies +8
6 DELZENNE Elise +8
7 DUTRIAUX Fiona +8
8 DE VUYST Sofie +8
9 SAN SEBASTIAN Irene +8
10 DOM Annelies +8
Past Winners
2014 - Ann-Sophie Duyck
2013 - Maaike Polspoel
2012 - Adrie Visser
2011 - Chantal Blaak
The Route
At 119.8 kilometres it is towards the longer end of women's
races. Starting with a 6.8 kilometre loop around Epre Mere.
The peloton will then face a 39.4 kilometre big loop before
returning for eight laps of a 9.2 kilometre finishing circuit
around Epre Mere.
The Contenders
Start list available
here
Ann-Sophie Duyck
The Belgium time trial champion claimed a solo victory last
year. With her Topsport Vlaanderen Pro Duo Ridley squad having
one of the strongest teams in the race Duyck took advantage of
the lack of big teams willing to control the race to win solo
by eight seconds. Repeating that performance this year will
not be easy but with a similar situation this year expect to
see her on the attack. If she gets a gap it will likely take a
coordinated effort by several teams to bring her back.
Keep an eye out for teammates Lotte Kopecky and Evelyn Arys in
a sprint.
Amy Cure
Team pursuit world champion Amy Cure is one of the most
talented riders on either the road or track. At 22 Cure has
already achieved more than most riders could dream of. After
claiming four world titles as a junior Cure has won the points
race and team pursuit at elite level over the past two years.
Joined Lotto Soudal in 2014 after a promising 2013 with the
Australian National team, but track commitments have prevented
her from a lot of racing on the road. Comes in from La Course
and a six week track training camp. Arguably the fastest
sprinter in the race and if she is well positioned will be
hard to beat.
Sofie De Vuyst and
Lensworld.eu-Zannata
De Vuyst has a 26 point lead in the Lotto Cycling Cup
standings, technically she could still be beaten but looks set
to win the overall classification for the third year in a row.
A regular top 10 finisher especially in the one-day semi
classics. Strong on the short climbs and packs a strong finish
but not one quick enough to compete with the best. Would
prefer a hillier course but with few sprinters here De Vuyst
has a good opportunity to pick up a win to seal the overall
title.
Keep and eye out for Nina Kessler, Annelies Van Doorslaer and
Annelies Dom, all three finished in the top 10 last year with
Kessler just missing the podium in fourth. Kessler has a quick
finish and could produce a podium result.
Natalie van Gogh
Van Gogh has picked up a number of top 10 finishes this year
including winning Trofee Maarten Wynants and second at Ronde
van Overijssel. Packs a good finish and in this field will be
looking to take her second win in the Lotto Cycling Cup this
year.
Monique van de Ree
After a number of strong results in smaller races in the
Netherlands and Belgium including fifth at Ronde van
Overijssel, seventh Trofee Maarten Wynants and second at
Salverda Omloop van de IJsseldelta. Packs a strong finish and
should be contending for a top 10 or even a podium.
Floortje Mackaij
19 year old Mackaij has had her best year to date taking her
first win at Gent-Wevelgem before winning the final stage of
Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs. Not a pure sprinter and
on a team with Lucy Garner and my Pieters her chances often
come in smaller races. Comes in off second overall and four
top 10 finishes at the BeNe Ladies Tour earlier this month.
Part of a strong Dutch National team.
Other names to watch: Elise Delzenne, Janneke Ensing, Sabrina
Stultiens, Miriam Bjornsrud, Cecilie Gotaas Johnsen, Marijn de
Vries, Fiona Dutriaux and Hanna Nilsson. |
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