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Ronde van Vlaanderen
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The new Women's World Tour
continues in Belgium for one of the most important races on
the calendar Ronde van Vlaanderen. Last year Wiggle controlled
things and Elisa Longo Borghini took the win after a long solo
break as teammate Jolien D'hoore took second from the chase
group.
Boels Dolmans have dominated the World Tour this year with
Lizzie Armitstead and Chantal Blaak both having taken two wins
each from the four races and are again the names to beat.
Former winners Ellen Van Dijk and Annemiek Van Vleuten are
here and will be chasing a second title.
2015 Results
1 Elisa LONGO BORGHINI
2 Jolien D'HOORE +43
3 Anna VAN DER BREGGEN +43
4 Annemiek VAN VLEUTEN +43
5 Elena CECCHINI +43
6 Alena AMIALIUSIK +43
7 Pauline FERRAND PREVOT +43
8 Elizabeth ARMITSTEAD +45
9 Chantal BLAAK +47
10 Ashleigh MOOLMAN +47
Past Winners
2015 - Elisa Longo Borghini
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
Cotes
46.1km Côte 1: Wolvenberg 645m Average 7.9% Max 17.3%
58.4km Côte 2: Molenberg 463m Average 7% Max 14.2% 300m
cobbled
78.9km Côte 3: Leberg 950m Average 4.2% Max 13.8%
82.9km Côte 4: Berendries 940m Average 7% Max 12.3%
88.3km Côte 5: Valkenberg 549m Average 8.1% Max 12.8%
99.0km Côte 6: Kaperij 1000m Average 5.5% Max 9%
106.3km Côte 7: Kanarieberg 1000m Average 7.7% Max 14%
114.7km Côte 8: Kruisberg/Hotond 2500m Average 5% Max 9%
124.5km Côte 9: Oude Kwaremont 2200m Average 4% Max 11.6%
1500m cobbled
127.9km Côte 10: Paterberg 360m Average 12.9% Max 20.3% 360m
cobbled
Cobbles
46.2km Ruiterstraat 800m
49.5km Kerkgate 2650m
52.7km Jagerij 800m
63.4km Paddestraat 2300m
75.9km Haaghoek 2000m
The Contenders
Start lists available
here
Wiggle High5
The biggest question Wiggle High5 have is who do they support
with a team full of riders capable of winning it is a
difficult choice for them. One that has haunted them
throughout the European season so far as they have often not
worked as a well drilled team costing them the chance to chase
the win.
Elisa Longo Borghini comes in as the defending champion but
her long solo break will be hard to repeat as no team is
likely to give her any room but if she wants to defend her
title another solo move is likely her only option.
In Jolien D'hoore the team has a strong candidate for the win
and the Belgium Champion will be eager to improve on last
years second. In her three participations has never finished
outside the top 20. Made a late start to the road season due
to track commitments but her fifth place during the week at
Pajot Hills Classic shows he road legs are back.
9-3-4-4-12-3-3-13 are the results of the ever consistent Emma
Johansson but third is her best ever result here. In her last
full season as a professional Johansson will be as determined
as ever to stand on the top step. Spends much of her season
living in Belgium and the race has special meaning to her but
the past 18 months have seen Johansson lacking that edge she
has in the past. Finished third at Strade Bianche, fourth
Trofeo Alfredo Binda and eighth at Gent-Wevelgem in a sign she
is still highly competitive.
Amy Pieters is a rider on the go and while on paper she could
be a contender with a number of more highly favoured names is
likely to support the team here. But with the eyes not on her
as much as others might be able to steal a move.
Boels Dolmans - Lizzie Armitstead
and Chantal Blaak
Boels Dolmans have dominated the classics so far and the World
Tour in particular with Armitstead and Blaak but claiming two
World Tour wins a piece. Despite the strength in the team
everyone is willing to sacrifice their own chances to help a
teammate win and that has been key to their success. Either of
the two is able to win from a sprint or a solo move so expect
to see them employ the same tactic they have all year of
attacking while the other sits on.
Ellen van Dijk is a former winner and despite just returning
from injury should never be discounted to repeat her
performance from two years ago. A very strong rider and if she
is allowed even a few seconds will be tough to bring back
without a full coordinated chase by the peloton.
Megan Guarnier is a very dangerous contender and has proven on
multiple occasions that if she is allowed to get up the road
while her team sits on she can finish off solo or from a
select group. Hour Record holder Evelyn Stevens and Christine
Majerus are dangerous as well.
Annemiek Van Vleuten and Orica-AIS
2011 winner Annemiek van Vleuten joined Orica-AIS over the off
season and will be the Australian teams best chance for a
second win after Judith Arndt claimed the win in 2012. After a
number of seasons recovering from injury Van Vleuten returned
to her old form last season and will be looking to add a
second title to her name.
The Dutch star has finished top 10 at the first four rounds of
the World Tour and is a genuine threat not just for another
top 10 but a spot on the podium. The classics are her
speciality and with the form she has been showing she is
likely to be a big threat if she can avoid the bad luck.
Gracie Elvin has been on the form of her life finishing second
at Ronde van Drenthe and was the only rider who could follow
Lizzie Armitstead at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Her best result
was 31st last year and while she lacks the experience of some
of the other contenders her improvement should see her further
up this year. Keep an eye on Lizzie Williams and Amanda
Spratt.
Elena Cecchini and Canyon//SRAM
Italian Champion Elena Cecchini has Ronde van Vlaanderen as
her big season objective and after finishing fifth last year
will be chasing that podium spot. Cecchini excels on hard
one-day races and after a slower start to the season has been
improving each race. Packs a strong sprint especially from a
select group.
The last three years Brennauer has finished around the top 30
but comes in following a second place finish at Gent-Wevelgem
last weekend. While often thought of as a time trialist the
past 18 months has proven to be very quick even in a bunch
sprint.
Tiffany Cromwell has finished top 20 the past four seasons,
often while supporting others with her best result ninth in
2014. After a quieter few seasons Cromwell has returned to her
best in 2016 and will be up there for a top 10 finish. Alena
Amialiusik finished sixth last year on a course that suits
her.
Despite her first full season racing in Europe Alexis Ryan has
proven to be crucial to the teams success this season.
Leah Kirchmann
Kirchmann has finished top 10 in the first four World Tour
races and will be looking to continue that with another
impressive showing. The 25 year old is racing her first full
year in Europe and has already proven to be one of the biggest
improvers this year. After stating the season with fourth at
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and second at Omloop van het Hageland
she claimed the win at Drentse Acht van Westerveld. A strong
all round classics rider who can handle the short steep climb
and cobbles and still pack a very quick sprint. Might not have
the experience of others but has proven this year that hasn't
stopped her. Raced back in 2011 and 2012 finishing around 40th
but expect a much stronger result this time.
Rabo Liv
Anna van der Breggen comes in as a big favourite having
finished third last year along with ninth in 2012, seventh
2013 and sixth in 2014. Had a very strong 2015 including
silver in the road race and time trial at the World
Championships. Just five race days in her legs this year but
her results have been impressive including fourth at Ronde van
Drenthe, fifth Strade Bianche and sixth Trofeo Alfredo Binda.
Prefers the hillier courses and expect to see her put the
peloton under pressure on the climbs as she looks to make a
selection. Has a strong finish but will need to distance the
likes of D'hoore, Armitstead, Cecchini and Van Vleuten.
Lucinda Brand comes in off third at Gent-Wevelgem and the
Dutch Champion fancies her chances of claiming her first top
10 at the race. Strong from a select group and with the likes
of Van der Breggen and Ferrant-Prevot should be able to have
an easier ride.
Despite not being the course you would immediately associate
with Pauline Ferrand-Prevot she has performed well in the
past. 11th in 2012 and 2014 before taking a career best
seventh. Has only two race days in her legs as she recovers
from injury but a fourth place at Pajot Hills Classic shows
she is moving in the right direction.
Don't discount a strong performance from Katarzyna Niewiadoma
who could surprise.
Lauren Kitchen
Kitchen took a big step up in 2015 and has continued that in
2016 with top 10 finishes across the spring including at
Strade Bianche, Ronde van Drenthe and Trofeo Alfredo Binda
World Tour races. Missed the move at Gent-Wevelgem but bounced
back to take sixth this week at Pajot Hills Classic. Kitchen's
best result here has been 40th in 2014 but with her form of
2016 expect her to challenge for a top 10 this year. Packs a
strong sprint especially after a hard day of racing and while
she might not have the support of a super strong team if she
is well positioned has shown she can follow the best.
Cervelo Bigla
The team has a number of options including Joëlle Numainville
who has twice finished in the top 10 including third in 2012.
After a quiet start to the season results wise her form is a
bit unknown but her past results show it a race she always
performs.
Injury impacted her start to the season but with that behind
her Moolman could be a bit threat. Finished 10th last year and
as she looks to the upcoming hillier races could be a big
threat. Lotta Lepisto is the unknown for the team and while
she has stepped up to become one of the top riders in the
sport this is another test for her. DNF finish last year but
comes in with great form having finished third at Pajot Hills
Classic.
Coryn Rivera
The 23-year-old American will ride Ronde van Vlaanderen for
the first time but improves with every race she competes in
Europe. Has had a strong start to the season including
finishing 11th at Trofeo Alfredo Binda and 13th at the Pajot
Hills Classic earlier this week. Has shown to be climbing well
and packs a quick sprint but her lack of experience is likely
to be her biggest challenge.
Other names to watch:
Lauren Hall finished 12th last year finishing as part of the
main chase group that included the likes of Johansson,
Worrack, Brand and Cromwell. Of her eight races in Europe has
only finished Omloop Het Nieuwsblad the first race of the
season in a sign she is not on the same form.
Sofie de Vuyst, Jessie Daams and Lieselot Decroix give Lotto
Soudal Ladies a number of cards to play. In their own rights
they are not big favourites but could slip under the radar and
challenge for a top 20 or even better in the right situation.
Marta Bastianelli finished eighth back in 2008 and seems to
have re-found old form winning Omloop van het Hageland and
fifth at Women's WorldTour Ronde van Drenthe. Repeating that
performance from 2008 will not be easy but it isn't out of the
question.
Maria Giulia Confalonieri, Monique van de Ree, Nicole Brandli,
Janneke Ensing, Eugenia Bujak, Rossella Ratto, Lauren Komanski
and Charlotte Becker. |
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