|
|
|
|
Euskal Emakumeen Bira
Preview |
|
|
|
|
|
Euskal Emakumeen Bira is the
hilliest stage race of the year and gives riders their first
real test as the Giro Rosa rapidly approaches in less than a
month. Rabo dominated last year with Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
and Marianne Vos each winning two stages. Ferrand-Pravot won
the overall ahead of Vos with teammate Anna Van der Breggan
making it an all Rabo overall podium.
Injury issues sees Ferrand-Prevot and Vos miss the race but
Van der Breggan is back ready to climb on to the top step of
the podium. Former Winner and Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria
winner Emma Johansson will have something to say about that.
While Boels Dolmans duo Evelyn Stevens and Megan Guarnier and
Bigla's Ashleigh Moolman are also here.
2014 Results
Stage 1 - Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
Stage 2 - Marianne Vos
Stage 3 - Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
Stage 4 - Marianne Vos
1 Pauline FERRAND PREVOT
2 Marianne VOS +1:12
3 Anna VAN DER BREGGEN +1:56
4 Ashleigh MOOLMAN +3:26
5 Claudia HÄUSLER +3:31
6 Megan GUARNIER +3:40
7 Fabiana LUPERINI +3:47
8 Emma JOHANSSON +4:07
9 Jessie DAAMS +5:31
10 Shara GILLOW +6:59
Past Winners
2014 - Pauline Ferrand-Prevot
2013 - Emma Johansson
2012 - Judith Arndt
2011 - Marianne Vos
2010 - Claudia Hausler
2009 - Judith Arndt
2008 - Marianne Vos
2007 - Susanne Ljungskog
2006 - Fabiana Luperini
2005 - Svetlana Bubnenkova
2004 - Joane Somarriba
2003 - Mirjam Melchers
2002 - Edita Pucinskaite
2001 - Joane Somarriba
2000 - Leontien van Moorsel
The Route
Prologue
A short 1.9 kilometre prologue. The time gaps are not likely
to be huge and with the lack of specialists here it is likely
to be close.
Stage 1
At 96.8km the opening road is relatively short and while the
first 52 kilometres are flat the remaining 40 kilometres are
not. There is one GPM on the stage the Krutzeta climb. The
7.8km climb has an average gradient of 5.4% but starts off a
1.4-3% before a 9.1% four kilometres in to the climb for
around one kilometre. The final three kilometres of the climb
are slightly less steep at around 7-8% Over the top riders
have a respite before a slight increase before a quick descent
and flat final five kilometres. The steep final four
kilometres of the time will be the place for the climbers to
attack and look to dispatch the faster finishers.
Stage 2
Another short stage at just over 82 kilometres but it includes
two ascents of the Libano climbs. The four kilometre climb
might not be long or overly steep. The first two kilometres
are around four percent with the third kilometre steepest at
5.8% before flattening towards the top at just over three. The
peloton will go over the top of the climb the first time after
just 27km. Undulating roads for the next 30 kilometres before
the second and final time up the Libano. Over the top it is a
descent in to the finish.
Stage 3
The longest stage of the race at 122.2km is considerably
longer than the other road stages. A mostly flat opening 45
kilometres before the long 11 kilometre Zumelta climb. The
average gradient is only 4.29% and starts off at 5.5% before
easing off slightly and kicking up to nearly 6% towards the
middle. The final three kilometres are the easiest at around
2-3% but by then many riders are likely to be off the back.
The next 50 kilometres are flat and should allow the majority
of riders to return to the bunch. The only remaining obstacle
for the peloton is the Olazagutia climb with just over 10
kilometres remaining. It will not be easy but it is a chance
for some to attack.
Stage 4
At just under 87 kilometres it is back to the shorter stages
for the final day of racing but it is by no means easy. A
descent followed by a long flat section for the first 3
kilometres before the climbing starts. The 2.6 kilometre
Gontzegaraigane has an average gradient of 6.1% but reaches
7.7km inside the final 600 metres of the climb.
After a 15 kilometre descent riders will tackle the three
kilometre Milloi climb with an average gradient of 4.26% but
the final two kilometres are up over five percent. A quick
descent leads what remains of the field in to the final climb
of Lekoitz-Gane. The 4.4km ascent with an average gradient of
5.8% with a maximum of 7.6% in the third kilometre is likely
to test the legs of many. Six kilometres remain downhill in to
the finish.
The Contenders
Start list available
here
Emma Johansson and Orica-AIS
The Champion of Sweden has won the race before and comes in
off the back of a strong win at Durango-Durango Emakumeen
Saria yesterday. Johansson will be a contender for the
prologue and could take the lead heading in to the first road
stage. Johansson also has probably the best finishing speed in
the race and will be hard to beat in a sprint. Climbs well
especially on the shorter climbs with the steep gradients. If
the more pure climbers want to beat her they will need to drop
her and take some time. Her record here in the last five years
is impressive 5th, 2nd, 2nd, 1st and 8th last year in a result
that was impacted by some bad luck.
The team has other cards to play and has assembled a very
strong team for this terrain. Silver medallist at the 2012
World Championships Rachel Neylan is still making her return
to the top level of the women's peloton but climbs well.
Katrin Garfoot and Amanda Spratt are both very strong
puncheurs who will likely be crucial to Johansson's overall
chances.
Rabo
The Dutch Rabo squad is without defending champion Pauline
Ferrand-Prevot and two time winner Marianne Vos due to injury
but they have a strong squad including Katarzyna Niewiadoma
who was second to Johansson yesterday and Giro Rosa podium
finisher Anna van der Breggen.
20 year old Katarzyna Niewiadoma is still very young but is
developing in to one of the sports biggest talents. Sixth at
Strade Bianche, fifth Fleche Wallonne and on the podium at
Boels Rental Hills Classic and Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria
this year. Was part of a dominant Rabo squad at the Giro last
year finishing 11th overall. An opportunity to shine and after
her performance yesterday will likely be contending for the
win.
Fourth in 2013 and third last year for Anna Van der Breggan at
this race and has bee on or around the podium in almost every
race she has started this year. Took out Fleche Wallonne in
April and the Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs a week
later. Returned from a break to finish seventh yesterday in a
sign her form is very good. As the prologue winner at
Energiewacht Tour and Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs she
heads in as the favourite to take the first leaders jersey.
Boels Dolmans
Evelyn Stevens and Megan Guarnier have made a quick trip over
from the United States where they helped Lizzie Armitstead win
the Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic on the weekend. Both
have had success here in the past with Stevens finishing third
in 2013 while Guarnier was seventh in 2013 and sixth last
year. Guarnier is one of the best pure climbers in the women's
peloton but her sprint has improved greatly and helped her
claim the US National title last month.
On their own each is a very dangerous rider but the
combination will be a big threat to the likes of Johansson,
Van der Breggan and Moolman. Boels have successful used the
tactic of sending a rider up the road and forcing other teams
to chase and they may well again.
Ashleigh Moolman
Last year Ashleigh Moolman was the best of the non Rabo riders
finishing fourth. Had a break after finishing fourth at Fleche
Wallonne and seventh at Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs.
Returned at Auensteiner- Radsporttage over the weekend
finishing second in the time trial and winning the Queen stage
solo to take the overall win. The win gave Bigla their first
success of the season and should bring them confidence. The
route is good for Moolman and while she is likely to lose some
time in the prologue will be looking to make that up on the
climbs.
Jessie Daams
The Lotto Soudal climbers might be a bit under the radar but
it should not be overlooked that Daams finished sixth
yesterday and that was with teammate Elena Cecchini up the
road and on the podium in third. Daams is very underrated and
after some injury issues earlier in the season is now back
heading towards her best. When the road starts to climb Daams
goes well including a ninth place finish here last year.
Other names to watch: Shara Gillow, Rossella Ratto and Carlee
Taylor. |
|
|
|