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Tour of Chongming Island World
Cup
Preview |
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The fifth round of the UCI
Women's World Cup Tour of Chongming Island is the one most
suited to the sprinters. It is no surprise to see a number of
the top sprinters here. Kirsten Wild won last year and will be
looking to go back to back. Shelley Olds is another former
winner and is chasing Bigla's first win of the year. The stage
race gives us a good indicating of the form with Kirsten Wild
winning two stages and the overall. Roxane Fournier picked up
the final stage and looks set to be one of the big
challengers. The likes of Bronzini backed by Chloe Hosking and
Annette Edmondson as well as a strong Alé Cipollini squad with
multiple options should not be discounted.
Despite the race being a World Cup the likes of Rabo, Boels
Dolmans, Orica, Velocio-SRAM and Liv Plantur are not here.
2014 Results
1 Kirsten WILD
2 Elena CECCHINI +0
3 Giorgia BRONZINI +0
4 Emilie MOBERG +0
5 Melissa HOSKINS +0
6 Shelley OLDS +0
7 Charlotte BECKER +0
8 Anna TREVISI +0
9 Annalisa CUCINOTTA +0
10 Cecilie Gotaas JOHNSEN +0
Past Winners
2014 - Kirsten Wild
2013 - Tetyana Ryabchenko
2012 - Shelley Olds
2011 - Ina-Yoko Teutenberg
2010 - Ina-Yoko Teutenberg
The Contenders
Kirsten Wild
Wild dominated the three day stage race winning the first two
stages to seal a second overall victory in the past two years.
When on form she is very difficult to beat. Claimed gold in
the scratch race in February at the Track World Champions and
has six wins on the road since the middle of March. Backed by
a strong team including Oceania Champion and Charlotte Becker
who will be important in the closing kilometres.
Roxane Fournier
The 23 year old has been steadily picking up results the past
few years. Always performs well in China, fourth in the stage
race and 11th here last year but is on even better form this
year. Finished second on stage two before taking the biggest
win of her career on the very wet final stage to finish second
overall. Will come in with confidence and has proven she can
beat the best.
Giorgia Bronzini
Rounded out the podium last year in third. When at her best is
one of the fastest finishers but hasn't seemed at her absolute
best this year. Bronzini's only win has been at Acht van
Westerveld but two thirds and a fourth at the Tour of
Chongming Island indicate she is on some good form. Beating
Wild for the win will not be easy but Bronzini is likely to be
one fighting for the win. Wiggle has been very strong with
their leadouts this year and with Annette Edmondson and Chloe
Hosking she has strong support.
Annalisa Cucinotta
Took somewhat of a surprise win on the opening stage of the
Ladies Tour of Qatar but has raced little since. A strong run
at the stage race with fourth, tenth and a strong second on
the final stage. Has shown she has the speed to compete with
some of the bigger names. Alé Cipollini often have a number of
riders in the mix and if she can get herself in to a good
position will be racing for a spot on the podium. Finished
ninth last year so knows the roads.
Shelley Olds
Took the win in 2012 when she outsprinted stage race winner
Melissa Hoskins to claim what is arguably the biggest win of
her career. When it comes to bunch sprints Shelley Olds is one
of the most consistent riders in the peloton but finding that
top step is difficult as she often finds herself just that
little bit slower than the big names. Her Bigla squad is still
chasing a win this year but Olds could be the one to do it.
Missed some racing in March and April with injury but her
second on the opening stage shows she is in some good form.
Other names to watch: Pascale Jeuland, Michela Pavin, Maria
Giulia Confalonieri, Marta Tagliaferro, Chloe Hosking and
Annette Edmondson. |
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