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Ronde van Vlaanderen
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The big one is here, the third
round of the World Cup and the race everyone wants to win
during their career Ronde van Vlaanderen. Last year Ellen Van
Dijk attacked a select group of favourites and soloed to the
win. With Lizzie Armitstead sitting in the bunch nobody wanted
to chase. Van Dijk is back to defend and will be one of only
two former winners on the start line. 2011 winner Annemiek Van
Vleuten will lead the Bigla squad. Somewhat surprisingly it is
a race Vos has only won once, claiming her win in 2013 but
wont be making it number two this year with her focus
elsewhere.
2014 Results
1 Eleonora VAN DIJK
2 Elizabeth ARMITSTEAD +1:01
3 Emma JOHANSSON +1:01
4 Elisa LONGO BORGHINI +1:03
5 Annemiek VAN VLEUTEN +1:03
6 Anna VAN DER BREGGEN +1:03
7 Liesbet DE VOCHT +1:03
8 Megan GUARNIER +1:03
9 Tiffany CROMWELL +1:03
10 Evelyn STEVENS +1:03
Past Winners
2014 Ellen Van Dijk
2013 Marianne Vos
2012 Judith Arndt
2011 Annemiek van Vleuten
2010 Grace Verbeke
2009 Ina-Yoko Teutenberg
2008 Judith Arndt
2007 Nicole Cooke
2006 Mirjam Melchers-Van Poppel
2005 Mirjam Melchers-Van Poppel
2004 Zoulfia Zabirova
The Route
At 145km it is one of the longest and most difficult races on
the calendar. The route covers 10 climbs several of them
cobbled and five other cobbled sections. The first climb, the
Wolvenberg comes at the 49.4km and with an average gradient of
7.9% and a maximum 17.3%. It is here we are likely to see the
first main action. The first cobbled section the Ruiterstraat
comes immediately after and the Kerkgate and Holleweg follow
over the next five kilometres. The cobbled Molenberg is next
(463m 7% Average. 14.2% Maximum) including 300m of cobbles.
Between the Molenberg and the third climb of the day the
Leberg is the penultimate cobble section of the Paddestraat.
At 2.3km it is the second longest of the race and likely to
put more riders under pressure. Followed by Haaghoek around 10
kilometres later. The Leberg (950m 4.2% Average. 13.8%
Maximum) at 82.6km. Just under 10km later is the Leberg and
from here the remaining eight climbs come in relatively quick
succession. The teams looking to make the race as selective as
possible will use the next 50km to drop the sprinters.
The infamous climb of the Oude Kwaremont comes with 16.7km and
at 2.2km is the penultimate climb is the longest of the race.
At 4% average it is not the steeped but it reaches a maximum
of 11.6% and with 1500m of it cobbles it is far from easy.
With 13.3km to go comes the Paterberg, at just 360 metres it
is relatively short but with an average of 12.9% and a maximum
over 20.3% it will test the legs of everyone. It gives riders
one last chance to attack and hope to hold on to the finish.
Climbs
Helling 1: 49.4km Wolvenberg - 645m 7.9% Average. 17.3%
Maximum
Helling 2: 62.1km Molenberg - 463m 7% Average. 14.2% Maximum
(300m cobbles)
Helling 3: 82.6km Leberg - 950m 4.2% Average. 13.8% Maximum
Helling 4: 86.6km Berendries - 940m 7% Average. 12.3% Maximum
Helling 5: 92.0km Valkenberg - 540m 8.1% Average. 12.8%
Maximum
Helling 6: 102.7km Kaperij - 1000m 5.5% Average. 9% Maximum
Helling 7: 110.0km Kanarieberg - 1000m 7.7% Average. 14%
Maximum
Helling 8: 118.4km Kruisberg/Hotond - 2500m 5% Average. 9%
Maximum
Helling 9: 128.2km Oude Kwaremont - 2200m 4% Average. 11.6%
Maximum (1500m cobbles)
Helling 10: 131.6km Paterberg - 360m 12.9% Average. 20.3%
Maximum
Cobbles
49.5km Ruiterstraat - 800m
52.8km Kerkgate - 2650m
55.4km Holleweg - 350m
67.1km Paddestraat - 2300m
79.6km Haaghoek - 2000m
The Contenders
Start list available
here
Boels Dolmans
The team was dominant in Qatar and the early European races
and while they were less dominant in the three Drenthe they
were always present at the front. Ronde Van Vlaanderen is one
of the biggest races on the calendar so expect to again see
them dictating the race.
Ellen Van Dijk won the race last year from a long solo break
from a select group. With teammate and eventual overall World
Cup winner Lizzie Armitstead in the group nobody wanted to
chase and bring her back. The team is even stronger this year
and it is a tactic they continue to use successfully. Van Dijk
one a stage solo and finished third overall in Qatar. Second
in the opening European race Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and then
took an impressive third place finish in the bunch sprint at
the opening round of the World Cup Boels Rental Ronde van
Drenthe. Not normally a rider you would look to in a bunch
sprint but her finishing speed has increased making her an
even more dangerous rider. Give her any sort of gap and she
will be hard to bring back.
In Lizzie Armitstead they have a very motivated rider who won
two stages and the overall in Qatar before finishing third at
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and second at Strade Bianche, when
teammate Megan Guarnier rode away from a select group.
Armitstead took the World Cup lead after winning the select
group sprint at Trofeo Alfredo Binda. It is a big target for
Armitstead and with two of her biggest rivals out of the race,
a strong team and continued good form it could be the year
Armitstead takes the win.
The performances of Romy Kasper might have gone unnoticed due
to the results of other riders in the team but Kasper has been
consistent usually around the top 10. Finished 12th at Boels
Rental Ronde van Drenthe in a sign of good form. Chantal Blaak
was very strong in the opening races of the season in Belgium
winning Le Samyn des Dames, second Omloop van het Hageland and
fourth Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Likes to attack and will be a
dangerous card to play.
Rabo Liv
With Marianne Vos focused on qualifying for and winning gold
on the dirt at the Rio Olympics is skipping much of the road
season others have the chance to step up. The team put four
riders in the top 10 last year and three remain with the team
Van der Breggan 6th, Ferrand-Prevot 11th and Brand 12th. There
is no doubting the strength of the team but if they want to
come out on top they will need to work together to break the
dominance of Boels Dolmans.
Anna Van der Breggan has had a strong season winning Omloop
Het Nieuwsblad, second at Le Samyn, 5th Strade Bianche and
rounded out the podium at Trofeo Alfredo Binda. Finished sixth
last year after a similar run of form leading in to the race.
Strong from a select group expect to see her on the attack.
World Champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot is a rider who improves
every time she rides. Trofeo Alfredo Binda was her first race
of the season but she didn't disappoint finishing second. On
paper it might not be a race for her but don't discount her
because of that. Despite it being early in the road season has
picked up where she left off.
Lucinda Brand was the top finisher for the team at Boels
Rental Ronde van Drenthe just missing the podium in fourth. An
attacking rider that helped her win Energiewacht Tour and the
final World Cup round GP de Plouay last year.
Wiggle Honda
A big shake up in the team during the off season has seen them
emerge as a powerhouse especially when it comes to sprinting.
The team brings two time World Champion Giorgia Bronzini plus
two other leading sprinters including Chloe Hosking and Jolien
D'hoore. On their own
each rider is very strong but together they are a near
unbeatable combination.
D'hoore will come in to the race full of confidence having won
the opening World Cup round Rental Ronde van Drenthe and an
earlier win at Omloop van het Hageland. Despite making a quick
transition from the track, where she finished fourth in the
omnium has continued the good form on the road.
Both D'hoore and Bronzini have finished just outside the top
10 in the past and both are on great form
and have proven to be close to the mark before. Hosking is
much more of a pure sprinter but could prove to be an
important player for the team. The team have another very
strong option in Elisa Longo Borghini who just missed out on
the podium last year finishing fourth, repeating her
performance from 2013.
Velocio-SRAM
The team put two riders in the top 10 last year in Tiffany
Cromwell ninth and Evelyn Stevens tenth. Cromwell's ninth last
year was her best result after 31st in 2010, 15th in 2012 and
14th in 2013. The classics specialist has had a strong start
to 2015 in Europe 5th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 6th at Ronde
van Drenthe and 11th Trofeo Alfredo Binda.
Trixi Worrack finished 15th last year and has finished just
outside the top 10 on two other occasions. One of the most
experienced riders on the team and packs a very quick finish
especially from a select group. Alena Amialiusik could be the
surprise packet. Finished 10th back in 2012 and while she
would likely prefer a hillier race with people looking
elsewhere Amialiusik could surprise. Finished third at Trofeo
Alfredo Binda last year beating a number of big names in the
sprint.
Individual and team time trial World Champion and silver
medallist in the road race Lisa Brennauer could be a name to
watch. Fast on the line and it is a course she should be able
to do well on. Has never finished better than 31st here.
Barbara Guarischi has never really been in contention for the
win here with her best result 24th in 2013. The team has been
without a sprinter for a couple of years now and Guarischi
gives them that option. It will be a test to remain with the
big names but if she can hang on will be a name to watch in a
sprint from a small group.
Orica-AIS
Not the dominant force we have seen in previous years. The
team was already a number of riders down due to illness and
injury and three riders yet to start their road seasons. Emma
Johansson will start after a quick turnaround from a broken
collarbone. You should never discount Johansson but despite
her determination and mental strength is unlikely to be at her
best. Loes Gunnewijk is one of the most
experienced riders in the peloton and it is a course that
suits her. A classics specialist but with the absence of
Johansson might prove to be the best chance for the team. Has
twice finished inside the top 10 including eighth in 2013.
Melissa Hoskins is riding the race for the first time but has
made it an early season target. Might not have the experience
of others but took a big step up last year when she was often
the only rider left with Emma Johansson. Hoskins handles the
short climbs well and was attacking at the Commonwealth Games
road race.
Valentina Scandolara has been flying this year winning a stage
and the overall at the Santos Women's Tour in January. The
form has continued in Europe most recently finishing second at
Molecaten Drentse Acht van Westerveld. Finished 14th at Trofeo
Alfredo Binda when she was picked to lead the team. Has never
been in contention here before but after her performance last
weekend is ready to step up again.
Annemiek Van Vleuten
The winner in 2011 and fifth the past two years and Van
Vleuten looks to be back to the level we saw her in 2011. A
strong start to 2015 including ninth at Strade Bianche before
rounding out the podium at Acht van Westerveld. Bigla
recruited well but are still putting the pieces together and
still chasing a win. On this course Van Vleuten has proven
numerous times she is one of the best. Has a strong finish but
unlikely to win a sprint from a large group so expect to see
her go on the attack. Bigla bring a strong team with Ashleigh
Moolman, who finished in the first chasing group, Iris
Slappendel and Joelle Numainville.
Kirsten Wild
Despite her renewed focus on the track ahead of the Rio 2016
Olympics, where she is focusing on the omnium. Made a strong
return finishing third at the World Championships in a sign
she will be a contender next year. For now Wild is back on the
road and took a convincing win at Novilon Eurocup. Wild has a
strong record at the race with three podium finishes and
another fourth place. Thirteenth last year where she led home
the second big chase group. Knowing her potential expect the
big teams to try and drop her and take her out of contention
but that will not be easy.
Amy Pieters
With Kirsten Wild having left the team it is up to Pieters to
step up and lead the team in the classics. Hasn't repeated the
results she had in 2014 but has still been posting strong
results consistently. In the opening Belgium and Dutch Races
Pieters was top 10 in every one including a strong second at
Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe. The only rider who managed to
get close to the Wiggle-Honda dominance in the closing
kilometres. A strong sprint but stepping up at this level will
be the test.
Elena Cecchini
The Italian Champion keeps threatening to take a big win and
with her consistency it is likely to come sooner rather than
later. Finished sixth at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 10th at Le
Samyn des Dames and Strade Bianche. Looked set for a top 10 at
Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe but got pushed too far back and
finished 14th. Added another top 10 result finishing ninth at
Trofeo Alfredo Binda. Cecchini's strength comes in her ability to
climb with some of the best on the shorter climbs.
Carmen Small
Small left one of the top teams to chase Olympic gold on the
track but returns to race one of the biggest races of the year
with Twenty16, which returns to the professional level in
2016. Illness kept her out of the Track World Championships
and without a strong team winning will be difficult. Small is
a talented rider and if she has the form will not doubt put in
a strong ride.
Other names to watch: Tatiana Guderzo, Claudia Lichtenberg,
Sabrina Stultiens, Ganna Solovei, Eujenia Bujak, Sofie de
Vuyst and Kim De Baat. |
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