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Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders
Fields
Preview |
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Gent-Wevelgem or Gent-Wevelgem In
Flanders Fields as the now goes by is one of the major races
on the men's calendar. The women's race however has struggled
to reach the same level due to the continual clash with the
second round of the Women's World Cup Trofeo Alfredo Binda.
The race was first held in 2012 and was won by Lizzie
Armitstead with Kirsten Wild winning the 2013 edition. First
added to the UCI calendar last year with Lauren Hall taking
somewhat of a surprise win from an eight rider break.
Defending Champion Kirsten Wild lead home the bunch over one
and a half minutes behind.
Despite the calendar clash Rabo Liv, Wiggle Honda, Liv-Plantur
Hitec, Bigla and Lotto Soudal are among the big UCI teams that
will line up. With Trofeo Alfredo Binda a race for the
climbers, Gent-Wevelgem gives the sprinters an opportunity to
shine.
2014 Results
1 Lauren HALL
2 Janneke ENSING +1
3 Vera KOEDOODER +1
4 Sofie DE VUYST +6
5 Roxane KNETEMANN +6
6 Anouska KOSTER +6
7 Liesbet DE VOCHT +6
8 Claire THOMAS +6
9 Kirsten WILD +1:42
10 Nina KESSLER +1:42
Past Winners
2014 Lauren Hall
2013 Kirsten Wild
2012 Lizzie Armitstead
The Route
The first 30 kilometres are flat before they reach the first
climb of the day the Kemelberg and after a short descent
riders then face the Monteberg at the 40km mark. Over the top
of the climb the next 25km covers undulating roads. From here
riders face the second and final section of climbs. First is
the Baneberg at the 67.5km mark. Following in quick succession
at the Kemmelberg at 75.5km and Monteberg at 79.4km. Other
than a minor climb with around 20km to go it is flat for the
final 30 kilometres in to the finish.
The Contenders
Start list available
here
Jolien D'hoore and Chloe Hosking
Wiggle Honda has four wins already in Europe and is off to a
strong start thanks to their big three trio of sprinters in
Jolien D'hoore, Chloe Hosking and Giorgia Bronzini. While
Bronzini isn't here expect to see a strong leadout from the
team. In the final kilometres of Boels Rental Ronde van
Drenthe the team was dominant and nobody really came close
with D'hoore taking a convincing win.
Both are on form and on the sprint friendly parcous it would
be a surprise not to see at least one of them on the podium.
Amy Cure
Cure is still finding her road legs after another successful
Track World Championships that saw her claim a world title in
the team pursuit plus silver in the scratch race and bronze in
the individual pursuit. Having just returned to the road it
might be a bit too early to expect to see Cure fighting for
the win but she shouldn't be discounted. Now in her second
year as a professional but didn't have the chance to race much
last year due to track commitments. Normally would prefer a
harder race but having just started her road season the easier
course could suit her. Packs a very strong finish and will be
looking for an early season win.
Bigla
Bigla have put together a super team but are still working to
put all the pieces together. The team is without their star
sprinter Shelley Olds who crashed out of Boels Rental Ronde
van Drenthe. Vera Koedooder returns to the team from injury
and could help the team get a win on the board. It is a rare
race when Koedooder is not off the front at least once. Expect
to see her on the attack here and if she gets a gap is often
hard to bring back.
Kirsten Wild
Arguably the top sprinter in the women's peloton. Focused on
the track ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics, where she is chasing
gold in the omnium. Claimed bronze at the World Championships
in a sign she will be a contender next year. For now Wild is
back on the road and took a convincing win at Novilon Eurocup.
Won the race in 2013 before it was a UCI race and will be
looking to take her second win of the season. With the form
Wild is in will be very hard to beat in a sprint.
Lensworld.eu-Zannata
Sofie De Vuyst finished fourth last year after a strong start
to the classics. Has been consistent this year but hasn't
seemed at the same level. The flat final 30 kilometres doesn't
suit her as cannot compete against the pure sprinters on the
flat. Going in the early break paid off for her in 2014 so
don't be surprised to see the tactic repeated. Keep an eye on
Kim De Baat as well.
Matrix Fitness
A young team but one that has been producing strong results
and improving every race. Lucy Martin is the most experienced
rider on the team and has an important role in helping the
younger riders develop but can also produce a strong result
herself on a course like this.
Molly Weaver had a strong opening few weeks in Belgium
finishing in or around the top 30 in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Le
Samyn and Omloop van het Hageland but it was at Cholet Pays de
Loire she took the teams top result so far. Made the break of
the day and went on to finish eight in a group that was lead
home by Jolien d'Hoore.
Christina Siggaard is now in her second year as a professional
but has taken a big step up this year. Finished 17th at Omloop
van het Hageland and 19th last weekend at Cholet Pays de
Loire. It is only a matter of time before we see her finish
inside the top 10.
The team has a number of options to play and expect to see
them again in contention for a top 10 finish.
Janneke Ensing
Spent four years with Boels Dolmans but now finds herself as a
leader of the Parkhotel Valkenburg squad. Finished second here
last year and might have won if not for a very late attack by
Lauren Hall from the break ahead of the sprint. Not a name
that might stand out but Ensing can again put herself in the
winning move could be on the podium for a second year.
Finished fifth again from a break at Omloop van het Hageland
and 18th at Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe.
Rabo Liv
Roxane Knetemann had a number of top 10 finishes in 2014
including fifth here with most of them coming in hillier
races. The harder the race is the better for Knetemann so
expect to see her attack on the climbs. Anouska Koster has
made the step up to one of the top teams in the women's
peloton. Finished 19th at Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe a big
improvement on 28th the year before. Not a sprinter so like
Knetemann is likely to make the race as hard as possible.
Lucy Garner and Amy Pieters
Was off her best in Qatar and has missed the start of the
European season due to injury but when on form this is a race
that is perfect for Garner. The dual Junior World Champion won
the opening stage of the Tour of Chongming Island in 2013 as a
first year professional but didn't manage a win last year but
picked up a number of podiums. If Garner is recovered from her
injury will be very dangerous in a bunch sprint.
Pieters was the only rider who got close to infiltrating the
dominance of Wiggle Honda in the finish of the Boels Rental
Ronde van Drenthe. Might not have replicated her strong start
to the season but seems to be coming in to form. Won GP Stad
Waregem on Wednesday. Unlike Garner Pieters is not a pure
sprinter and would prefer a harder finish but if Garner isn't
yet recovered.
Floortje Mackaij is another name to keep an eye on. Finished
second to Pieters at GP Stad Waregem.
Other names to watch: Lotta
Lepisto, Desiree Ehrler, Emilie Moberg, Tatiana Guderzo and
Loes Gunnewijk. |
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