| |
Amalie Dideriksen won the last
two editions and before that Lucy Garner did the double. Other
former winners include reigning World Champion Pauline
Ferrand-Prevot, one of favourites for the elite race Jolien
D'hoore, multiple World Champion Marianne Vos and 2008 Olympic
and World Champion Nicole Cooke.
Past Winners
2014 Amalie Dideriksen (DEN)
2013 Amalie Dideriksen (DEN)
2012 Lucy Garner (GBR)
2011 Lucy Garner (GBR)
2010 Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (FRA)
2009 Rossella Callovi (ITA)
2008 Jolien D'Hoore (BEL)
2007 Eleonora Patuzzo (ITA)
2006 Rasa Leleivyte (LTU)
2005 Mie Bekker Lacota (DEN)
2004 Marianne Vos (NED)
2003 Loes Markerink (NED)
2002 Suzanne de Goede (NED)
2001 Nicole Cooke (GBR)
2000 Nicole Cooke (GBR)
The Route
The junior women's race covers four laps of a 16.2 kilometre
circuit around downtown Richmond. The challenging technical
circuit with three cobbled climbs in final four kilometres.
First comes the 200 metre cobbled Libby Hill Park climb,
before a descending in to a 100 metre cobbled climb up 23rd
Street. Once over the top the peloton will descend in to the
final Governor Street climb. At 300 metres before a final
false flat section of just under 700 metres positioning ahead
of the final kilometre will be crucial.
The Contenders
Start list and start order available
here
Australia (Anna-Leeza Hull and
Jessica Pratt)
Anna-Leeza Hull and Jessica Pratt have both spent the majority
of 2015 racing the Australian NRS against a high level of
competition and they should come in well prepared. Hull would
prefer a slightly hillier course but the final four kilometres
should be good for her. Without a strong finish expect Hull to
look to attack on the final climb and solo away. Pratt is a
solid all rounder and has a strong finish, not that of a pure
sprinter but should it come to a sprint she could find herself
on the podium. The cobbles could well be the biggest challenge
for the Aussie duo.
France (Juliette Labous)
Juliette Labous comes in to the race after a very successful
season finishing second at Piccolo Trofeo Alfredo Binda,
fourth at the European Championships. The French time trial
champion finished fifth on Monday against the clock in a sign
she is on great form. Maelle Grossetete is another name to
keep an eye on.
Poland (Daria Pikulik & Agnieszka
Skalniak)
Polish cyclists have had a very strong few years on both the
road and track and Daria Pikulik will be looking to continue
the success. Already a world champion this year, winning the
points race at the Track World Championships and finishing
second in the omnium. European Omnium Champion and two silver
medals. Finished 12th in 2014 and will be looking to make it
in to the top 10 if not challenge for the podium. Agnieszka
Skalniak, bronze last year is another option if Pikulik is not in contention.
But based on form of Pikulik seems to be going that bit
better.
Italy (Sofia Bertizzolo & Nadia
Quagliotto)
Italy brings a very strong team with several riders who could
take gold. The teams best chance is probably 2014 silver
medallist Sofia Bertizzolo, who is very quick on the line and
can handle the climbs. Has the experience from last year and
took an impressive win at Piccolo Trofeo Alfredo Binda in
March. Bertizzolo was also part of the world record setting TP
squad at the European Championships.
The second big name option for Italy is European Champion
Nadia Quagliotto, who claimed victory in a bunch sprint. If
the race comes together Quagliotto will be a name to watch and
with Bertizzolo they form a very strong combination.
Czech Republic (Nikola Noskova)
Narrowly missed the podium last year, finishing fourth. Has
raced three UCI elite races this year with the last the
Trophee d'Or Feminin, where she finished 12th overall against
some strong competition. As the only rider from the Czech
Republic in the race it will be hard for her against some of
the stronger teams but don't discount her because of that.
United States (Chloe Dygert)
After a 1-2 in the time trial the US team is riding high.
Dygert was in a league of her own in the time trial and is
also the US National Champion in the road race. On home roads
Dygert will be extremely motivated to do the double and with
the form she is in should not be discounted.
Great Britain (Grace Garner, Eleanor
Dickinson & Abby-Mae Parkinson)
Can Grace Garner repeat the performance of her sister in 2011
and 2012 and win the junior women's road race? Comes in off a
block of racing in Europe and two stage wins at the Ras na
mBan. Packs a very strong sprint and if she can get to the
finish at the front will be very difficult to beat. Keep an
eye on Eleanor Dickinson and Abby-Mae Parkinson as other
options.
Belgium (Lenny Druyts & Fenna
Vanhoutte)
Druyts finished in the front group last year as a first year
but has improved this year finishing seventh at the European
Championships. Fenna Vanhoutte is another option for the team
and a regular winner in Belgium.
Norway (Susanne Andersen)
Andersen finished ninth at the European Championships last
month but finished second on two stages of the Junior
Energiewacht Tour in May, winning the bunch sprint behind a
solo rider each time. Has a good finish and will be a name to
closely watch at the finish.
Other names to watch: Pernille Mathiesen, Yara Kastelijn, Yumi
Kajihara, Lena Ostler, Maria Calderon, Sina Frei, Georgia
Catterick and Mikayla Harvey. |
|