| |
|
|
| |
Novilon Eurocup
Preview |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Novilon Eurocup is the final
round of the three races around the Boels Rental Ronde van
Drenthe. Coming the day after it is a last chance for teams
who missed out on a result in the previous two races to try
and salvage something. Marianne Vos is a two time winner of
the race but is not here to make it three. Three former
winners in Kirsten Wild, Annemiek Van Vleuten and Giorgia
Bronzini line up however.
2014 Results
1 WILD Kirsten
2 OLDS Shelley +0
3 JOHANSSON Emma +0
4 D'HOORE Jolien +3
5 BLAAK Chantal +3
6 ENSING Janneke +3
7 CROMWELL Tiffany +3
8 KIESANOWSKI Joanne +3
9 BRAND Lucinda +3
10 BRENNAUER Lisa +1:54
Past Winners
2014 Kirsten Wild
2012 Marianne Vos
2011 Suzanne de Goede
2010 Annemiek van Vleuten
2009 Marianne Vos
2008 Kristin Armstrong
2007 Giorgia Bronzini
2006 Loes Markerink
2005 Suzanne de Goede
2004 Sissy van Alebeek
2003 Mirjam Melchers
2002 Leontien van Moorsel
2000 Madeleine Lindberg
The Route
The race starts out in Coevorden with the first sprint point
coming after 15 kilometres. The only climb of the day the
VAMBerg (380m at 9.7% average) comes early in the race at the
28km mark and is the only GPM point on the stage. Over the
VAMBerg the peloton heads towards and around Assen.
The race finishes with two laps of an 11 kilometre loop just
outside of Roden. The second and final sprint point comes on
the first crossing of the finish line with 11.2km to go.
The Contenders
Kirsten Wild
Defending Champion and the Queen of women's sprinting Kirsten
Wild has had a late start to the 2015 season with a renewed
focus on the track. Bronze medallist in the omnium at the
Track World Championships and won the scratch race ahead of
Amy Cure. Looked strong but a mechanical saw her drop out of
the leading group. Managed to rejoin and finished 11th in the
sprint. Can count on strong support from Lauren Kitchen,
the new Oceania Champion who is a contender in her own right.
Emilie Moberg finished fourth at Molecaten Drentse Acht van
Westerveld and will be a key rider leading out Wild but the
result will also give the team and herself confidence she can
finish off with a strong result when the opportunity presents
itself.
Annemiek Van
Vleuten
Annemiek Van Vleuten has been on a steady run of form 18th
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, ninth Strade Bianche and third at
Molecaten Drentse Acht van Westerveld. It is a race she has
won before, back in 2010 the year she won the World Cup
overall. That year was third in Drentse 8 Van Dwingeloo,
second Ronde Van Drenthe before taking the win here. Based on
how she is riding at the moment a repeat this year looks very
possible. Van Vleuten was not at her best yesterday and the
team was outnumbeed by the likes of Boels Dolmans and Wiggle
Honda.
Emma Johansson Orica-AIS
The always consistent Emma Johansson rounded out the podium
here last year and regardless of the race she is rarely far
from the podium. On the opening race Johansson was happy to
sit in the peloton and allow Valentina Scandolara a chance
from the break, where she finished second. Johansson has often
been left isolated in the closing stages of races and while
she can manage on her own it is impossible to mark every move
by the likes of Boels Dolmans and Rabo on her own. Johansson
made the elite group at Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe
yesterday but was again left isolated and hurt her chances.
Melissa Hoskins is still finding her road legs but could be a
card to play. Lizzie Williams and Gracie Elvin both pack
strong finishes from select groups and don't be surprised to
see them on the attack. Valentina Scandolara has been on
strong form of later and expect her to be an important player
for the team.
Boels Dolmans
They wanted to become the top team in the women's peloton and
they are well on their way to doing that. The team won three stages and
the overall in Qatar. The team followed up with second, third
and fourth at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, second Omloop van het
Hageland and first and second at Strade Bianche. Chantal Blaak and Ellen Van Dijk have all taken
wins but are sitting out this race. Lizzie Armitstead is here
and after missing out yesterday will be chasing a win. 2nd
Strade Bianche, 3rd Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and 7th yesterday at
Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe, leaves Armitstead still
chasing that first win of the year in Europe.
Dual Junior World
Champion on the road Amalie Dideriksen has been posting some
strong results early in the year. Won the bunch sprints behind
the break at Omloop van het Hageland and Omloop van het
Hageland and Acht van Westerveld. Important not to put too
much pressure on here but could have an opportunity to produce
a strong result.
Romy Kasper is a rider who is integral to the team in a
supporting role for the teams leaders but could have an
opportunity for herself. Classics specialist Christine Majerus
is another rider often in a support role who in the right
situation could be contending for the win.
Giorgia Bronzini, Jolien D'hoore and
Chloe Hosking
Wiggle brings a strong team of sprinters who can win from a
select group or bunch sprint. Jolien D'hoore won Omloop van
het Hageland and Giorgia Bronzini won Molecaten Drentse Acht
van Westerveld. Bronzini is one of three former winners down
to start. Both wins came from select groups but both riders
would be equally favoured from a larger group. Add in
Australian Chloe Hosking and the team has a third sprinter who
can contend for victory.
If the team wasn't already full of confidence they will be
now. Had riders in the elite group at Boels Rental Ronde van
Drenthe yesterday but when it came back together in the
closing kilometres they were in control. A perfect leadout saw
Wiggle deliver Jolien D'hoore to the line to win on her
birthday. With Hosking, Bronzini and D'hoore all on form and
working well together don't be surprised to see one of then
again on the top step.
Rabo Liv
Anna Van der Breggen leads a strong Rabo squad and has had one
of the best starts to the year. Won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad,
second at Le Samyn and fifth at Strade Bianche. In a big bunch
sprint Van der Breggen is unlikely to be challenging for the
win so expect to see her on the attack hoping for a select
group.
Amy Pieters
Pieters hasn't quite repeated her early season performances
from last year but in every race she has started she has been
in contention. Finished ninth in Qatar, before seventh at
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Le Samyn, eighth Omloop van het
Hageland and 10th at Acht van Westerveld. Second at Boels
Rental Ronde van Drenthe but didn't have an answer for the
strength of Wiggle Honda. If she hopes to stand on the top
step of the podium will have to find a way to isolate Wiggle.
Velocio-SRAM
A strong team but the team is unfortunately without the on
form Loren Rowney who is out with a broken collarbone.
Individual and team time trial World Champion and road race
silver medallist Lisa Brennauer is another contender.
Brennauer won the bunch sprint for 10th last year and her
performance at the World Championships with a display of just
how quick she is on the line. In the event of a big bunch
sprint the team is likely to look to Italian sprinter Barbara
Guarischi.
Elena Cecchini
Italian Champion Elena Cecchini has been chasing a big win for
a while and you get the feeling it is just around the corner.
Three top five finishes at the Tour Femenino de San Luis,
consistent in Qatar before a strong start to the European
season. sixth at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and 10th at both Le
Samyn and Strade Bianche. Would prefer a more select race but
if there is a select group don't be surprised to see Cecchini
there. Made the elite selection but was left well back in the
eventual group sprint at Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe
finishing further down that she would have liked in 15th.
National Team United States
The US National team has several options and can always be
counted on to have someone in the action. Heather Fischer
finished fifth at Acht van Westerveld from the seven rider
break. Sprinter Coryn Rivera was in the mix at Omloop van het
Hageland finishing fourth again from a break. Rivera is a
frequent winner in the United States and despite her limited
experience racing in Europe improves with each race she
starts. Also keep an eye on Alexis Ryan.
Other names to watch: JMaria Giulia Confalonieri, Arianna Fidanza and Pascale Jeuland
and Roxane Fournier. |
|
|
|