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Women's Tour of New Zealand
Preview |
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The women's peloton returns to
New Zealand after a three year absence to race the Women's
Tour of New Zealand. With the European season just about to
start all the big UCI teams have stayed away with just Tibco
SBV and Pepper Palace from the United States here. Despite the
lack of UCI teams there is still some first class competition
including defending champion Evelyn Stevens, Rachel Neylan,
Megan Guarnier, Linda Villumsen as well as 2014 Junior World
Champions Alex Manly and Macey Stewart.
Past Winners
2012 - Evelyn Stevens
2011 - Judith Arndt
2010 - Shelley Evans
2009 - Amber Halliday
2008 - Kristin Armstrong
2007 - Judith Arndt
2006 - Sarah Ulmer
2005 - Catherine Sell
The Route
Stage 1 (TTT)
The pan flat opening stage team time trial might be relatively
short at 15km but with only two UCI teams and a mixture of
smaller domestic New Zealand teams and national teams it will
provide a big shake up of the general classification on day
one. Parts of it including the start and finish are fairly
technical with about 13 changes of direction. There are a
number of long stretches especially on the back of the course
for the stronger teams to open up gaps.
Riders will use road bikes with time trial bikes forbidden, as
are aero helmets, disk wheels and extension handlebars.
Teams to watch: United States, Tibco, Australia and High5
Dream Team.
Stage 2
An undulating opening 49 kilometres from Masterton to
Martinborough includes the first sprint point of the race at
18km. Upon reaching Martinborough the peloton will face three
laps of a 6.7km circuit around Martinborough. From here the
road gradually climbs for around 30km before the only QoM
point on the stage at the 87km mark. After a quick descent the
undulating roads continue as they head back to the starting
point of Masterton. Expect to see a sprint from a reasonable
sized group.
Stage 3
The QoM comes early on the third stage of the race after just
12.2km. From here riders tackle nine laps of a 12 kilometre
finishing circuit. The road starts climbing almost immediately
before topping out just before two kilometres in to the lap.
From here most of the remaining 10km are downhill or flat
although the road has a gradual ramp with about three
kilometres to go before a flat finish. The circuit on its own
is not all that challenging but after several laps riders are
likely to be in trouble. Expect to see the climbers attacking
on the climb hoping to drop the faster finishers and avoid a
big group sprint. The final kilometre is flat and should again
see another sprint.
There are sprints on laps one, three and six and queen of the
mountains points on laps one, four and seven
Stage 4
Stage four is the queen stage and is likely do decide the
general classification. Just the one sprint point on the stage
after 18 kilometres. The first 35 kilometres of the stage are
relatively easy but from here the peloton especially the
sprinters will have a hard day in the saddle. The first
mountains points are on offer at the 38 kilometre mark. Over
the top riders will get some respite before the first real
test of the race. The second QoM point starts after 49.5km and
tops out at 56.2km. The 6.7km climb has an average gradient of
just under six percent. With almost exactly 50km to go at the
top it is unlikely the race winning moving will be made here,
though only the strong will remain at the front.
The next 20km are mostly flat, before a descent and a small
rise just after the 80km mark that while short might test the
legs of a few. It will be a fast run in towards the 10km to go
mark as teams position themselves for the final climb.
At 10 kilometres it is the longest climb of the race. The
average gradient is around five percent but that is distorted
as around the half way point of the climb the road descends
and then flattens before kicking up again to the finish. Given
the small size of the field expect to see the race completely
blown apart of the final climb.
Stage 5
While the general classification is likely to be settled the
final stage is certainly not easy. Like the first two road
stages it is up and down for almost every kilometre of the
race. The road starts climbing almost from the start and is
likely to test the legs after the difficult previous stage.
The only sprint point on the stage comes after 32 kilometres.
From here the flatter roads will be a welcome respite for many
before two short but steep climbs in quick succession between
the 40 and 50 kilometre marks. The undulation continues for
the next 40 kilometres or so but then the final 30km of the
stage are largely downhill setting things up for another
likely sprint finish.
The Contenders
Start list available
here
General Classification
United States National Team
Evelyn Stevens
The last time the race was held in 2012 Stevens took the win
by one second over Shara Gillow. The opening stage TTT will
quite possibly give Stevens an advantage. With no big UCI
teams racing the strong US team of Stevens, Hall, Wiles,
Guarnier and Dvorak is likely to gain time on a number of
rivals. The undulating stages 2, 3 and 5 are likely to suit
her. Stage four though is likely to be the decisive one with a
10km climb to the finish. A former podium and top 10 finisher
at the Giro Rosa. It is the early season though and with a
number of Australia's already with good form and a month of
racing in their legs it will be interesting to see how Stevens
is going
Megan Guarnier
Seventh at the Giro Rosa last year, where she was consistent
on the climbs. Continuing at her own pace to remain in
contention instead of trying to go with the moves. A big
benefit for her is the opening TTT where the American team
should go well. Expect to see Guarnier at the front on stage
four on the summit finish. Guarnier and Stevens both ride for
the Boels Dolmans squad so expect to see them work well
together.
Keep an eye out for Tayler Wiles as well.
Australian National Team
Katrin Garfoot
Was the favourite to take out the time trial at the Australian
Championships but a knee injury forced her to miss the
Australian summer of cycling. Made her return at the Oceania
Championships claiming gold in the time trial and bronze in
the road race. The Australian National Team should perform
will in the opening TTT with Garfoot, Mackey, Manly and
Kitchen all strong against the clock. Stage four will be the
test for Garfoot as she is still unknown on the longer climbs
at international level
Rachel Neylan
The 2012 World Championship silver medallist has put her 2013
and 2014 injury impacted seasons behind her and is back to her
best. Silver at the Australian Championships and a very
impressive solo win at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
If Neylan is on the form she was in Australia in January will
be challenging for the win. Was strong again at the Oceania
Championships, but again not having a quick finish hurt her,
finishing fourth. The Australian team has a strong squad for
the TTT, Neylan though is the weakest of the team against the
clock. If they have to slow the pace for her to remain with
the team it could lose her important seconds.
Alex Manly
Just out of the junior ranks and without pressure on her Manly
could prove to be a surprise packet and finish well in the
general classification. Will be a key part of the TTT on the
opening day and her quick finish is likely to see her in
contention in the finishes on stages 2, 3 and 5. Stage four
will again be the real test. Manly is on fantastic form
finishing fifth in the time trial and eighth in the road race
at the Oceania Championships. Just her second race as a
professional but an indicator to how she can go at this level.
Ellen Skerritt
After finishing second overall in the Australian National Road
Series in 2014, big things are expected. Constantly up the
front in the elite road race at the Australian National
Championships. High5 are likely to perform well in the opening
TTT and that could give Skerritt a slight advantage. Came down
with illness after the Cadel Evans Great Ocean where she
finished eighth. Illness impacted her time trial at the
Oceania Championships before Skerritt bounced back in the road
race before a gearing issue cost her in the finish.
Holden Racing Team
Miranda Griffiths
Griffiths won a third consecutive Tour of Bright in December,
after winning both hilly road stages. The long climb to the
finish on stage 4 suits Griffiths and don't be surprised to
see her go on the attack. Will likely need to regain time lost
in the TTT. If Griffiths gets a gap could be hard to bring
back as she attempts to time trial to the finish.
Linda Villumsen
Has finished inside the top 20 three times at the Giro Rosa
and just outside the top 20 on three other occasions. On home
roads expect to see a determined Villumsen. Finished seventh
in 2012 but the race included an individual time trial then.
The final climb on stage four will likely prove too difficult
for Villumsen but expect to see her attack on the other road
stages. If she gets a gap will be hard to bring back on the
undulating roads.
Ruth Corsett
Overall winner of the Australian National Road Series in 2014,
for the second time in her career. Corsett is a genuine all
rounder strong on the climbs, against the clock and also packs
a reasonably quick finish. Has spent time in Europe including
finishing just outside the top 20 at the Giro Rosa. Expect to
see her in contention in sprint finishes. Finished eighth at
the Australian Championships and seventh at the Cadel Evans
Great Ocean Road Race.
Other names to watch: Jo Hogan and Lauren Stephens could both
ride to strong overall finishes. Both are riding for Tibco as
one of only two professional teams in the race. Strong
climbers and in this field could both finish inside the top
10.
Update: Anna-Leeza Hull was a late withdrawal due to injury.
Sprinters
There is no big name sprinters in the field but three or the
four road stages are more suited the stronger riders with a
quick finish.
Emily Collins: The pocket rocket from New Zealand will no
doubt be looking to get her season off to a strong start. Had
a quiet year in 2014 after winning Omloop van het Hageland in
2013. A very strong finish so don't be surprised her to see
her take a stage win
Alex Manly: Largely known as a climber and time trialist but
Manly has been working on her speed on the track. Strong
showings at the Australian Track Championships at the end of
January in the points and scratch races. Made the front group
at the Junior World Championships in 2013 and 2014 and has got
considerably faster since then.
Lauren Kitchen: Former Australian criterium champion has had a
strong start to 2014. Won the Oceania Championships road race
on the weekend giving her an important confidence boost. Three
stage podiums at the Bay Crits before bronze at the Australian
Criterium Championships. Kitchen climbs very well so the
undulating stages shouldn't trouble her. With Stewart, Manly
and Garfoot the team can put a strong train together.
Courtney Lowe: New Zealand Champion in 2013, where she won in
a bunch sprint. A quick finish especially from a more select
group we are likely to see here. With few big opportunities to
race in New Zealand expect to see Lowe motivated for a win on
home roads.
Shannon Malseed: The name might not be overly familiar to many
who don't follow the Australian National Road Series but
Malseed did the under 23 criterium and road race double at the
Australian Championships in January. A strong sprint and her
result in the road race at Buninyong shows she can handle the
climbs.
Ruth Corsett: While Corsett is a threat for the general
classification she also has a strong finish. The undulating
road stages will thin out the peloton increasing Corsett's
chances.
Other names to watch: Jo Kiesanowski, Lauren Hall, Georgia
Baker, Jess Mundy and Katrin Garfoot. |
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