| |
|
|
| |
Grand Prix de Dottignies
Preview |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Grand Prix de Dottignies is the
third round of the season long Lotto Cycling Cup. Held the day
after Ronde van Vlaanderen, one of the biggest races on the
women's calendar sees the majority of the top teams sitting
out the race. The race suits the sprinters and with several of
the top sprinters in the world down the start it is likely to
be a strong battle for the win. The position in the calendar
also gives an opportunity for a number of younger riders to
post a confidence boosting result. Two former winners Giorgia
Bronzini (2014 and 2007) and Vera Koedooder (2013) will start.
2014 Results
1 Giorgia BRONZINI
2 Shelley OLDS +0
3 Lucy GARNER +0
4 Elena CECCHINI +0
5 Roxane FOURNIER +0
6 Aude BIANNIC +0
7 Maaike POLSPOEL +0
8 Nina KESSLER +0
9 Mia RADOTIC +0
10 Annalisa CUCINOTTA +0
Past Winners
2014 Giorgia Bronzini
2013 Vera Koedooder
2012 Monia Baccaille
2011 Emma Johansson
2010 Kirsten Wild
2009 Sarah Düster
2008 Marianne Vos
2007 Giorgia Bronzini
2006 Oenone Wood
2005 Nicole Cooke
2004 Olga Slyusareva
2003 Baukje Boedee
2002 Alessandra Cappelotto
The Route
Profile opening lap
The 119.38km race starts with an opening 51.53km circuit. The
first 20km are flat with the first GPM, the Beerbosberg coming
after 22.08. The next two climbs come in quick succession
Topberg at 24.99km and Rundvleesberg at 27.22km. Expect to see
some attacks here but with 90km still remaining it is unlikely
anyone will get away. There is flat section of around eight
kilometres before the final GPM of the opening circuit the
Haut Du Ronceval. Three kilometres later riders enter the
finishing circuit the first crossing the finish line coming
after 51.53km.
Profile finishing circuit
Profile final 3km
From here the peloton completes five laps of a 13.57km
finishing circuit. At the start of the lap the road briefly
climbs and there are several other small rises but the lap is
mostly flat. The final 250m are slightly uphill.
The Contenders
Start list available
here
Wiggle Honda
Defending Champion Bronzini is one of the top sprinters in the
women's peloton. Won a stage of the Bay Crits and Santos
Women's Tour in Australia back in January. Often starts the
European slowly, building to bigger goals. Wiggle brings a
strong team support her in the sprint. Despite being the
defending champion Bronzini might not be the teams best hope
at victory.
Jolien D'hoore regained the overall World Cup lead after
finishing a strong second behind teammate Elisa Longo Borghini
at Ronde van Vlaanderen yesterday. On the form of her life and
is sprinting with the best at the moment.
Add in Chloe Hosking and Wiggle have a formidable sprint train
for whoever they decide to sprint for.
Amy Cure and Elena Cecchini
Cure won an eighth medal over the past three years at the
Track World Championship and added a second senior World title
to her collection in the team pursuit. Cure had a standout
2013 with the National team but raced little last year due to
track commitments. With no Commonwealth Games this year Cure
can focus more on the road. Has a very strong sprint
especially when the finish is slightly uphill like this.
In Elena Cecchini the team has a second strong sprinter, who
just missed the podium last year finishing fourth and comes in
to the race with fifth at Ronde van Vlaanderen yesterday. Started her
season with second on the opening stage of Tour Femenino de
San Luis. Since returning to Europe has finished sixth at
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and 10th at both Le Samyn des Dames and
Strade Bianche. 14th at Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe and 9th
Trofeo Alfredo Binda in a sign of consistency in harder races. The former track rider has a strong finish but
is better from a select group after a hard race. If Cure and
Cecchini work together either one is a challenger for the win.
Bigla
Bigla lack a pure sprinter with Shelley Olds still out
injured. They bring a strong team but one that will need to be
aggressive and split the race if they want to beat the
sprinters. Annemiek Van Vleuten just missed the podium
yesterday at Ronde van Vlaanderen finishing fourth in the
select chasing group. Has a strong finish but can't match the
pure sprinters so expect to see her on the attack.
Ashleigh Moolman was Bigla's second rider in the first chase
group yesterday helping Van Vleuten to fourth. A strong rider
but the course really needs to be more undulating for her. The
slight uphill finish also suits her but probably not enough to
give her the advantage over the sprinters.
Matrix Fitness and Laura Trott
A young team full of young riders but the team has been
posting some promising results. Christina Siggaard finished
17th at Omloop van het Hageland and it is only a matter of
time before the team cracks the top 10.
Laura Trott returns to the road after her track season that
culminated in two silver medals at the Track World
Championships in February. Trott is the British Champion, out
sprinting Lizzie Armitstead to claim the title last year.
Still relatively inexperienced on the road in Europe but there
is no doubting Trott's talent and if she has found some road
form could be challenging for the top 10.
Annalisa Cucinotta
Cucinotta surprised everyone to take the opening stage of the
Tour of Qatar ahead of a number of big names. A strong
sprinter who can surprise with some big results but is not
always in contention. If she has the form she did in Qatar
could well surprise again. It might not be remembered but
Cucinotta actually finished in the top 10 last year.
Roxane Fournier
Fourth on the final stage at the Tour of Qatar in February
after finishing 2014 strongly with a stage win at Trophée d'Or
Féminin. Not a pure sprinter or a name you might immediately
look to in a big bunch sprint. Finished fifth last year and
could well improve on that in 2015. The uphill finish is an
advantage for her.
Sofie De Vuyst
Not a pure sprinter but always performs well in Belgium. Was
the overall winner of the Lotto Cycling Cup last year due to
consistent performances across the events. Unlikely to
challenge the pure sprinters for the win but a top 10 is
possible.
Other names to watch: Pascale Jeuland, Aude Biannic, Marijn De Vries, Sheyla
Gutierrez, Marta Tagliaferro and Georgia
Williams. |
|
|
|