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Internationale Thüringen
Rundfahrt der Frauen
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Despite starting just days after
the Giro Rosa it is a top class field for the Internationale
Thüringen Rundfahrt der Frauen with Velocio-SRAM, Orica-AIS
and Bigla all sending their top riders. Last years top two
Evelyn Stevens and Lizzie Armitstead who both now ride for
Boels Dolmans are not here with their squad skipping the race.
Third place finisher Lisa Brennauer is here as is two-time
winner Emma Johansson. With six of last years top 10 and a
long list of top names the fight for the overall victory
should be one of the most exciting of the year.
2014 Results
1 Evelyn STEVENS
2 Elizabeth ARMITSTEAD +42
3 Lisa BRENNAUER +1:31
4 Christine MAJERUS +4:15
5 Reta TROTMAN +4:40
6 Stephanie POHL +6:01
7 Beate ZANNER +6:21
8 Joanne HOGAN +6:26
9 Sofie DE VUYST +7:05
10 Anna PLICHTA +7:07
Prologue (ITT): Lisa BRENNAUER
Stage 1: Lizzie ARMITSTEAD
Stage 2: Romy KASPER
Stage 3 (ITT): Lisa BRENNAUER
Stage 4: Evelyn STEVENS
Stage 5: Baete ZANNER
Stage 6: Elke GEBHARDT
Past Winners
2014 - Evelyn Stevens
2013 - Emma Johansson
2012 - Judith Arndt
2011 - Emma Johansson
2010 - Olga Zabelinskaya
2009 - Linda Villumsen
2008 - Judith Arndt
2007 - Judith Arndt
2006 - Nicole Cooke
2005 - Theresa Senff
2004 - Zoulfia Zabirova
2003 - Valentina Polkhanova
2002 - Zoulfia Zabirova
2001 - Mirjam Melchers
2000 - Valentyna Karpenko
The Route
Stage 1 Gotha (66.6km)
Stage 2 Erfurt (103.3km)
Stage 3 Schmölln ITT (19km)
Stage 4 Meerane (78.8km)
Stage 5 Zeulenrodaer Meer (120km)
Stage 6 Gera (118.5km)
Stage 7 Schleiz (130km)
Stage 8 Greiz (98.8km)
The Contenders
Start list available
here
Lisa Brennauer
Won both time trial stages last year and finished third
overall. Could very well have won overall but was happy when a
two rider break containing then teammate Evelyn Stevens went
up the road and won by two minutes. Is the time trial World
Champion and the 19km time trial on stage three will be a big
help to her chances. Has only won one time trial this year at
Gracia Orlova, that wasn't well contested with her
Velocio-SRAM team taking the top five positions. It is a race
that suits her well with the rolling terrain though the summit
finish on stage 4 could hurt her chances. After finishing
third the past two years will be eager to find that top step.
Despite struggling against the clock has had a good season
including the overall win at The Aviva Women's Tour.
Emma Johansson
Johansson made the decision to skip the Giro Rosa again this
year, a plan she followed in 2013 and came out firing here
winning overall for a second time and also taking two stages.
Johansson is hoping the longer break will leave her fresher
than many of her rivals who have a hard Giro in their legs.
The rolling roads suit her and is climbing better than ever.
Her sprint doesn't seem as quick this year so expect to see
her attack even more often than usual to break up the field.
After an injury interrupted season Johansson has been her
usual consistent self again since returning from a broken
collarbone. Won Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria, two stages
and third overall at Euskal Emakumeen Bira, fourth at The
Women's Tour before defending both her Swedish titles on the
road.
Tibco (Stephens, Hogan and Hammes)
Tibco took a total of 7 podium finishes at Tour de Feminin and
the win on the final stage with Kristabel Doebel-Hickok. The
US squad has multiple options for the GC but on form Lauren
Stephens is probably their best bet. Stephens finished second
in the time trial and overall in the Czech Republic last week
but has dominated in the US. Won the time trial at the Tour
Femenino de San Luis and finished second overall, won both the
time trial and overall at Joe Martin Stage Race, again won the
time trial before finishing third overall at the Tour of the
Gila. Second in the Tour of California Time Trial, 4th at the
US National Championship and 5th Chrono de Gatineau before
putting in a solid ride at the Women's Tour. It is not just
the time trial Stephens excels at and should be able to
produce a strong when the road starts to climb.
Jo Hogan is a second card for the team. Can time trial and
climb well and if something was to happen to Stephens Hogan
could produce a strong result. The experienced Aussie has
finished in the top 10 before with eighth last year and as an
important race for Australian's her motivation will be high.
Keep an eye out for Kathrin Hammes as well.
Paulina Brzezna and Anna Plichta
Both ride for the Polish TKK Pacific Nestle Fitness squad and
come in to the race after a strong Tour de Feminin last week.
Brzezna won the opening stage before going on to finish
seventh overall. While Plichta finished third in the important
time trial and earned herself an overall podium finish. Both
handle rolling terrain well and Plichta especially can produce
a good time trial. On form and full of confidence but the
quality of the field here is a big step up. To win would be a
challenge but a top 10 is possible. Either way for Plichta the
experience will be valuable for the 23 year old.
Australian National Team
It is a special race for the Australian National team and 2015
marks the 10th anniversary of the tragic passing for Amy
Gillett. It is a strong team including Kimberley Wells who
will be targeting wins in sprint finishes. The teams general
classification hopes are likely to be on the shoulders of
Ellen Skerritt and Jenelle Crooks. Both are very strong
against the clock and stage 4 will be a good test for them on
the climbs. They are among the best in Australia but this will
be another step up for them. Crooks competed here last year
finishing 19th and her performances in the Australian National
Road Series indicate she has taken a step up this year. For
Skerritt it will be her first UCI race in Europe and only her
second UCI race.
Other names to watch: Eugenia Bujak, Amanda Spratt, Gracie
Elvin, Stephanie
Pohl and Lucy Coldwell. |
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