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The Parx Casino Philly Cycling
Classic
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The Parx Casino Philly Cycling
Classic returns to the Women's World Cup calendar after
previously being on the calendar for the opening four years of
the competition. In the past it has been a race for the
sprinters but by moving the finish to the top of the Manayunk
Wall it is not anything but. The sixth round of the season
long World Cup series and the last for nearly two months. With
the race returning to the World Cup calendar the majority of
the top women's team are here. The field is headlines by two
time defending champion Evelyn Stevens who brings her strong
Boels Dolmans squad. Wiggle Honda, Velocio-SRAM, Bigla and
Hitec are also here.
2014 Results
1 Evelyn STEVENS
2 Lex ALBRECHT +0
3 Lauren HALL +0
4 Alena AMIALIUSIK +0
5 Flavia OLIVEIRA +0
6 Lizzie WILLIAMS +0
7 Mara ABBOTT +0
8 Sharon LAWS +0
9 Joanne KIESANOWSKI +0
10 Mandy HEINTZ +0
Past Winners
2014 - Evelyn Stevens
2013 - Evelyn Stevens
The Route
Six laps of a 19.8 kilometre circuit that starts and finishes
at the top of the famous Manayunk Wall. The Manayunk Wall
climb is approximately 800 metres at an average gradient of
around eight percent. But as if often the case that is
deceptive, with it reaching over 15% towards the middle of the
climb.
The Contenders
Start list available
here
Evelyn Stevens and Boels Dolmans
Stevens has won the race the past two years and despite the
stronger field she still heads in as the favourite especially
when you look at the team she has with her. The finish up the
Manayunk suits her and has shown to be one of the best on
these sorts of finishes. As usual when you look at Boels
Dolmans this year they have many cards to play and the power
to control the race.
On home soil Stevens will want to put in a strong performance
by countrywoman Megan Guarnier is another big stand out and
will wear the stars and stripes of US National Champion.
Second at the Tour of New Zealand and a very impressive solo
win at Strade Bianche plus third at La Fleche Wallonne. Very
strong on the climbs and the finish suits her well. With the
team they have don't be surprised to see her on the attack and
a similar situation to what happened at Strade Bianche play
out.
Lizzie Armitstead is another who has proven the short steep
climbs suit her in recent years. Has not seemed her absolute
best this year and her increased speed in the sprint might
have cost her a little something on the climbs. Five wins this
year including the recent Boels Rental Hills Classic.
Alena Amialiusik
If you are looking for the in form rider it is Alena
Amialiusik of Velocio-SRAM. Made the move to the formerly US
squad over the off season and has been consistent throughout.
Fifth Trofeo Alfredo Binda, sixth Ronde van Vlaanderen and
seventh Strade Bianche World Cups. Has three wins to her name
this year including a stage and the overall at Gracia Orlova
and the Winston Salem Cycling Classic last weekend. Very
strong on the shorter steep climbs and her fourth place finish
last year shows just what she can do. It might be a stronger
field but Amialiusik is racing better than ever and one of the
podium steps is well within reach.
Teammates Tiffany Cromwell and Karol-Ann Canuel are other
cards the team have to play potentially from a longer attack
or to lead Amialiusik in to the final climb.
Elisa Longo Borghini and Mara Abbott
After a busy off season recruiting some of the biggest names
in the sport Wiggle Honda has been winning left right and
centre this year. They have already won three of the five
World Cup rounds so far and adding a fourth here is certainly
not out of the question. In Elisa Longo Borghini and Mara
Abbott they have two very strong climbers. Abbott was fourth
last year but would be stronger on a longer climb so expect to
see Longo Borghini get team support. Longo Borghini was on
good form last week finishing fifth at Boels Rental Hills
Classic and only time will tell how she has handled the trip
across to America.
Lex Albrecht
Albrecht knows what it takes to perform and podium here,
second behind Stevens last year and sixth the previous year.
While the stronger field is a disadvantage her experience in
the finish could more than make up for that. Knowing when to
make a move and who to follow would be crucial to success.
Repeating her podium performance will not be easy but don't
discount her.
Lauren Hall
Hall rounded out the podium last year and has been consistent
this year and picked up a couple of stage wins at the Tour of
New Zealand in February. With the strength in the field this
year it will be much harder to repeat that performance.
Bigla
Bigla is still chasing a win in 2015 despite a number of very
close finishes. They might not be the strongest squad in the
race but they have a number of riders who have performed well
here in the past. Joëlle Numainville finished second in 2013
when Shelley Olds was fourth and Sharon Laws finished eighth
last year. The experience of those three riders will be
important and with their strength in numbers they are well
positioned to fight for a podium.
Joanne Kiesanowski
Kiesanowski is an outsider to keep an eye on. While winning is
probably out of the question another top 10 finish is well
within her. After finishing ninth last year and 13th in 2013
Kiesanowski knows the climb well. Her Tibco squad will be
looking for a strong result and with support from Lauren
Stephens, Kristabel Doebel-Hickok they could find themselves
in the top 10.
Other names to watch: Eujenia Bujak, Miranda Griffiths, Linda
Villumsen, Katie Hall, Dalia Muccioli, Amanda Miller and
Jessica Cutler. |
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