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Boels Rental Hills Classic
Preview |
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The month of May has been a
relatively quiet, with several teams racing in the United
States and or China. Most teams and riders however have had a
short break and have taken advantage of the calendar to prefer
for the second half of the season. Boels Rental Hills Classic
marks the return for many riders as they start a busy period
on the calendar.
2014 Results
1 Emma JOHANSSON
2 Eleonora VAN DIJK +3
3 Amy PIETERS +5
4 Roxane KNETEMANN +44
5 Katarzyna PAWLOWSKA +3:03
6 Sabrina STULTIENS +3:03
7 Anna VAN DER BREGGEN +5:07
8 Jessie DAAMS +5:07
9 Sofie DE VUYST +5:07
10 Ashleigh MOOLMAN +5:07
Past Winners
2014 - Emma Johansson
2013 - Ashleigh Moolman
2012 - Annemiek van Vleuten
2011 - Marianne Vos
2010 - Grace Verbeke
2009 - Marianne Vos
2008 - Larissa Kleinmann
2007 - Marianne Vos
2006 - Theresa Senff
2005 - Anita Valen De Vries
2004 - Mirjam Melchers
The Route
The 131.4km is up and down all day and covers 15 climbs.
Climbs
At 7.6km Adsteeg (1.3km)
At 15.7km Lange Raarberg (0.95km)
At 24.1km Daahlemerweg (1.9km)
At 37.1km Koning van Spanje (1.4km)
At 45.9km Camerig (3.6km)
At 61km Schweibergerweg (2.3km)
At 68.1km Camerig (3.6km)
At 86.1km Julianastraat (1.45km)
At 91.4km Piemert (0.7km)
At 94.1km Mheerelindje (0.45km)
At 108km Cauberg (0.8km)
At 113.4km Geuhlemmerweg (1.2km)
At 117.4km Bemelerweg (0.85km)
At 125.6km Cauberg (0.8km)
At 130.2km Geulhemmerweg (1.2km)
The Contenders
Start list available
here
Emma Johansson
The defending champion hasn't had the perfect start to the
season but despite a broken collarbone has been her usual
consistent self. Chasing her first win and this is the course
that could see her claim it. The up and down route is perfect
for Johansson who excels on the short steep climbs and packs a
very quick finish.
Expect strong support from Gracie Elvin who should be able to
do well here. Melissa Hoskins is another name to watch who is
climbing better than ever.
Katarzyna Niewiadoma
With most of Rabo's big names on a break or racing in another
discipline Niewiadoma has another chance to step up and show
her considerable talent. Climbs with the best especially on a
route like this. Has had a strong start to the year in the
races that suit her fifth at La Flèche Wallonne and sixth at
Strade Bianche. Took a solo win at Frauen Grand Prix Gippingen
last year. Will likely need to distance the likes of Johansson
to take the win.
Boels Dolmans
Once again Boels Dolmans brings a very strong team with
everyone on the team capable of a strong result and
challenging for the win here. Lizzie Armitstead is always a
name to watch and it is a good course for her but has not
seemed at the level of last year. Ellen Van Dijk second last
year and only missed out on the win unable to outsprint Emma
Johansson. With the depth in the team and her time trial
strength don't be surprised to see a long range attack.
Megan Guarnier had a strong start to 2015 with second at
Women's Tour of New Zealand before a solo win at Strade
Bianche. Bounced back from injury to take third at La Flèche
Wallonne before sprinting to the US National title last
weekend. Teammate Evelyn Stevens did a lot of work to set that
up with a long range attack and is here again as crucial
support for the team. Don't discount Christine Majerus either.
Amy Pieters
Part of the select group that eventually went on to contest
the win. Finished third unable to match the power of Johansson
and Van Dijk in the finish but a credible performance.
Repeating that result will not be easy but has proven can be
in the mix on a hard course.
Jessie Daams and Carlee Taylor
Lotto Soudal's climbing duo could perform well here. Both are
more than capable of handling the climbs here. Neither is
likely to win a sprint even from a select group so their best
chance will be to attack. Daams was part of the main chase
group last year finishing around five minutes behind the top
three.
Elena Cecchini could surprise as well. Much more than a
sprinter who has consistently been posting top 10 results. The
course might prove to be just a bit too much but don't
discount here.
Sofie De Vuyst
The always consistent De Vuyst is a rider who performs well in
one day races the flatter classics mean some of the faster
sprinters are there and the hillier ones normally prove hard
enough to stop her going with the best. Finished ninth last
year in the select chase group and could well repeat her top
10 performance again the year.
Other names to watch: Shara Gillow, Mayuko Hagiwara and
Janneke Ensing. |
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