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Open de Suède Vargarda TTT
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Outside the World Championships
Open de Suède Vargarda TTT is the only real opportunity for
teams to test themselves in the discipline in race conditions
and over a proper distance. Velocio-SRAM has won the last
three editions and all three TTT World titles.
2014 Results
1 SPECIALIZED-LULULEMON
2 RABO LIV WOMEN CYCLING TEAM +1:21.0
3 BOELS DOLMANS CYCLING TEAM +2:33.2
4 ORICA-AIS +2:51.0
5 BIGLA CYCLING TEAM +3:54.6
6 ESTADO DE MEXICO FAREN +4:11.4
7 TEAM GIANT-SHIMANO +4:18.8
8 RUSVELO +5:05.4
9 HITEC PRODUCTS +5:22.5
10 TIBCO / TO THE TOP +5:45.2
Past Winners
2014 - Specialized–lululemon
2013 - Specialized–lululemon
2012 - Specialized–lululemon
2011 - HTC-Highroad
2010 - Cervélo TestTeam
2009 - Cervélo TestTeam
2008 - Cervélo Lifeforce
The Route
The 42.5 kilometre race starts with an out and back 32km
course (15.4km each way). Upon arriving back in Vargarda teams
do a lap of the course from the road race on Sunday.
Mostly flat but there is some undulation along the way and a
climb in the final circuit. Teams will need to measure
themselves over the course.
The Contenders
Velocio-SRAM
Defending champions having won three times in a row as
Specialized-lululemon, with HTC having won the year before
making it four. The team has been unbeatable in the discipline
and even last year when it looked as though they might be
challenged they proved everyone wrong winning in convincing
style.
A TTT is not just about one rider and the team has six of the
strongest riders in the peloton. World Champion Lisa
Brennauer, German and U23 European Champion Mieke Kroger,
Canadian Champion Karol-Ann Canuel, Belarusian Champion Alena
Amialiusik plus the strong Trixi Worrack and Elise Delzenne.
The team is looking as strong as ever and will be hard to
beat.
Rabo
After finishing second last year and a late crash at the world
championships expect to see Rabo motivated for that top step.
They bring a strong team lead by Anna Van der Breggen and
Shara Gillow two of the worlds top time trialists. Lucinda
Brand adds her considerable power to the team and Kasia
Niewiadoma, Moniek Tenninglo and Thalita de Jong are all very
strong.
Boels Dolmans
The team has had an increased focus on the discipline and
their signings over the past two years have gone a long way to
boosting their TTT squad. Unfortunately for them former ITT
world champion Ellen Van Dijk will miss the race as she
recovers from a broken collarbone.
After finishing fourth last year edging Orica-AIS for the
final podium spot they will be chasing another podium finish
this year. Evelyn Stevens brings considerable strength to the
team after her three TTT world titles with what is now
Velocio-SRAM. Former team pursuit world champion Lizzie
Armitstead is another invaluable rider while Chantal Blaak,
Kasia Pawlowska, Christine Majerus and Romy Kasper boost the
strong line up.
Orica-AIS
Finished fourth last year and it was a bit of a surprise to
see them miss the podium. Along with Velocio-SRAM they are the
one team to earn medals at all three TTT World Championships,
with two silver and a bronze. With the likes of Katrin
Garfoot, Amanda Spratt, Gracie Elvin and Valentina Scandolara
the team has some big engines and with Lizzie Williams and
Sarah Roy the team is going to fighting for the medals.
It is a very different team to the past though with a number
of the key riders having moved on. Gone is Shara Gillow (to
Rabo), Loes Gunnewijk (retired) but it is the absence of
Melissa Hoskins who has returned to Australia to prepare for
2015-2016 on the track that is their biggest disadvantage.
Hoskins is one of only three riders with a medal at all three
TTT world titles and her team pursuit background on the track
made her one of the best in the world in the TTT.
Bigla
After a busy off season recruiting some of the sports biggest
names Bigla will look to improve on their fifth place in 2014.
With three national champions Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (RSA),
Doris Schweizer (SUI) and Lotta Lepisto (FIN) plus US silver
medallist Carmen Small and the strong Vera Koedooder and
Joelle Numainville the team looks set to challenge.
Wiggle Honda
When first formed the TTT was a big priority for the team but
they never really managed to fire and challenge the best names
in the sport. Wiggle didn't race here last year but brings a
strong team lead by team pursuit world champions Annette
Edmondson and Dani King. Another track specialist Jolien
D'hoore adds considerable firepower as do Elisa Longo
Borghini, Audrey Cordon and Emilia Fahlin. Wiggle is locked in
a close battle with Rabo and Boels Dolmans for the lead in the
World Cup rankings so expect a strong performance to keep them
in contention. |
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