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Frauen Grand Prix Gippingen
Preview |
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One of three UCI races taking
place today is the Frauen Grand Prix Gippingen. The women's
editions was introduced to the calendar last year and covers
many of the same roads as the men's race that was held during
the week.
Defending Champion Katarzyna Niewiadoma is not here and is
instead racing Euskal Emakumeen Bira. Rabo returns and is lead
by third place finisher Roxane Knetemann. Runner up Eugenia
Bujak also returns for BTC City Ljubljana, while the only
other big UCI team on the start list is Bigla.
2014 Results
1 Katarzyna NIEWIADOMA
2 Eugenia BUJAK +16
3 Roxane KNETEMANN +16
4 Anna PLICHTA +49
5 Martina RITTER +1:06
6 Reta TROTMAN +1:08
7 Doris SCHWEIZER +1:35
8 Natalia BOYARSKAYA +1:37
9 Sari SAARELAINEN +2:42
10 Jutta STIENEN +2:42
Past Winners
2014 - Katarzyna Niewiadoma
The Route
The 113.3km route starts with nine laps of an 8.1 kilometre
circuit. The opening circuits are the easier of the two with
an undulating opening four kilometres before a flat run in.
The majority of the field should not have any difficulty.
It is the 10.1 kilometre finishing circuit where the race is
likely to be won. Covering much of the same roads as the
circuit in the men's race. After a flat opening two
kilometres, the main feature is the steep climb that tops out
towards the middle of the circuit. The total length of the
climb is around 2.5km and will put riders under pressure.
Expect to see lots of attacks from riders wanting to avoid a
bunch sprint. There is more than 5km remaining over the top
and a well organised chase could bring back a solo rider or
small group
The Contenders
Start list available
here
Eujenia Bujak
Bujak finished second last year 16 seconds behind solo winner
Katarzyna Niewiadoma. Bujak excels on this sort of course.
Strong on the short steep climbs. Has a reasonable finish but
expect to see her attack on the final lap in an attempt to
avoid a large sprint.
Roxane Knetemann
After finishing on the podium last year in third behind
teammate Katarzyna Niewiadoma who took the win Knetemann will
be looking to improve this year. Riding for a team like Rabo
it is easy to be forgotten but Knetemann has been very
consistent this year across all terrain. Three top 10 finishes
in the opening Belgium classics while also finishing a strong
seventh at La Flèche Wallonne.
Keep an eye out for Rabo's two young guns Anouska Koster and
Thalita De Jong who are likely to have an opportunity here and
could well produce something special.
Shelley Olds
When you think of Shelley Olds you mostly think of her as a
sprinter but Olds climbs very well. Last weekend she finished
fourth just off the podium at The Parx Casino Philly Cycling
Classic. While the climb here is slightly longer it comes with
five kilometres to the finish. If Olds can limit her losses
she can still be in with a chance of winning.
The Bigla squad can come in full of confidence having taking
three wins in the last week. Watch Vera Koedooder who is
likely to be on the attack throughout the race. With the teams
here you will not want to give her too much of a gap.
Other names to watch: Lucy Coldwell, Tatiana Antoshina,
Martina Ritter, Desiree Ehrler and Georgia Williams. |
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