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Defending Champion Pauline
Ferrand Prevot returns looking to go back to back and also
claim world titles in Road Cyclo-cross and Mountain Bike in
2015. It is a very strong field with the race made even more
open with the absence of three time world champion and five
time silver medallist Marianne Vos
Past Winners
2014 Pauline Ferrand Prevot (FRA)
2013 Marianne Vos (NED)
2012 Marianne Vos (NED)
2011 Giorgia Bronzini (ITA)
2010 Giorgia Bronzini (ITA)
2009 Tatiana Guderzo (ITA)
2008 Nicole Cooke (GBR)
2007 Marta Bastianelli (ITA)
2006 Marianne Vos (NED)
2005 Regina Schleicher (GER)
2004 Judith Arndt (GER)
2003 Susanne Ljungskog (SWE)
2002 Susanne Ljungskog (SWE)
2001 Rasa Polikeviciute (LTU)
2000 Zinaida Stahurskaia (BLR)
The Route
The junior women's race covers eight 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
Pauline Ferrand Prevot
Can Ferrand Prevot win back to back and take a third elite
world title in 2015 to go with her Cyclo-cross and Mountain
Bike rainbow jerseys? You would be foolish to write her off
and it would be quite the fairytale win but it will not be
easy with a number of riders much more suited to the course
than her. Has raced little on the road this year as she splits
herself between disciplines but when she had she has been very
strong. If she wants to will win likely have to get away solo
as the circumstances she won in last year are unlikely to
repeat themselves.
Anna Van der Breggen and the Dutch
team
Without Marianne Vos is presents an opportunity for others to
stand up. Van der Beggen has been the best rider this season
that started in February winning Omloop het Nieuwsblad, before
claiming wins at La Fleche Wallonne, the Giro Rosa and La
Course. Can do everything climb, sprints well from a select
group and time trial. Finished just two seconds off gold in
the time trial in a sign that her form is right where it needs
to be.
The question is can the Dutch team rally around her when every
rider on the team could be considered a serious contender.
With all eyes focused on Van der Breggen is may allow the
likes of Lucinda Brand or Roxane Knetemann to get up the road.
In a sprint they have the very quick Amy Pieters who could
also contend for the podium.
Megan Guarnier and United States
The US junior women have cleaned up going 1-2 in both the time
trial and road race now it is time to see if the elite riders
can find the podium. On home soil they will be as motivated as
it unlikely any of the team will have another chance for a
home Worlds. Megan Guarnier has been on fire in 2015 winning
Strade Bianche, Ladies tour of Norway and the US national
title plus third at La Fleche Wallonne and the Giro Rosa. Has
normally been considered a climber but has been producing a
very quick finish this year and outsprinted Coryn Rivera to
win the US Nationals. If she wants to win will need to be able
to finish off again here.
Evelyn Stevens is an always reliable rider but in the event of
a sprint Shelley Olds and Coryn Rivera could both find the
podium. Both are very quick on the line but also climb very
well increasing their chances of being there at the finish.
Both have taken wins in the past two months.
Italy
Another team spoilt for talent and includes three former world
champions - Marta Bastianelli, Tatiana Guderzo and Giorgia
Bronzini. Headlining the squad is two-time world champion
(2010 & 11) Bronzini who is looking for number three. Bronzini
has not seemed at her best this year but her experience will
be very important. Comes in having finished second at La
Madrid Challenge to Shelley Olds.
As well as the three former world champions they also have
Elisa Longo Borghini and Rossella Ratto who have both finished
on the podium. Longo Borghini has had a great year that is
highlighted by success at Ronde van Vlaanderen but it is
probably not the course for her this time. But with a number
of options it wouldn't be surprising to see her up the road to
put other nations under pressure.
Elena Cecchini, the Italian Champion is a name to watch very
closely. Continues to get better every time she races. Her
climbing has really improved this year and that has
potentially cost her in the sprint but could be a name to
watch if Bronzini is not in contention.
Tiffany Cromwell and Australia
Australia comes in with a very strong squad of eight riders,
the largest in the race. Seven of them have won races in 2015
and they have many options to play. Tiffany Cromwell has
finished top 10 the past two years including fifth last year.
Cromwell loves these types of classics courses. Just missed
bronze at the Commonwealth Games last year on a similar city
circuit.
Rachel Neylan always performs at big races and has returned to
her best this season. Silver medallist in 2012 and she will no
doubt want to repeat that with another podium finish. Fast
finishers Loren Rowney, Lauren Kitchen and Lizzie Williams
have all had strong seasons. Katrin Garfoot proved in the time
trial she is travelling very well while Gracie Elvin and
Amanda Spratt are two riders who can also go well on this
course.
Belgium
Jolien D'hoore has emerged as one of the top riders on the
road in 2015. Won the junior world title in 2008 and would
love to add the elite title to her name. In a sprint D'hoore
will be very hard to beat. Has taken 12 wins this year
including the Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe and Vargarda
World Cup and that includes time spent away competing on the
track. The Belgium team may not be the biggest or strongest in
the race but can count on strong support from Sofie De Vuyst
and Jessie Daams.
Lisa Brennauer
In her last five events at the world championships she has
three gold, one silver and one bronze can she make it six gold
from six events in two years? Very nearly completed a hat
trick last year and while she cannot claim three gold this
year she can add the road race to her palmares. Might have
missed defending her title in the time trial but was just five
seconds off showing she is still in fantastic form.
Brennauer has won the overall titles at the Energiewacht Tour,
Aviva Women's Tour and Boels Rental Ladies Tour often off the
back of her sprinting. Has beaten the likes of D'hoore and
Wild this year in a sprint and if it comes down to it
Brennauer will be in contention. A strong German team
including trade team teammate Trixi Worrack and Claudia
Lichtenberg for support.
Lizzie Armitstead
The British and Commonwealth Champion was in medal contention
last year but when the select group she was in wouldn't work
they were caught and it all unravelled and she missed the
podium. Out for revenge this year on a course that is suited
for her. The course has been compared to that of the
Commonwealth Games last year although not as hard. The city
circuit and cobbled climbs are perfect for Armitstead and if
it comes to a sprint regardless of the size of the group
Armitstead will be the favourite to take rainbows. Can count
on strong support from second place finisher at the British
Nationals Alice Barnes while Lucy Garner, Molly Weaver and
Jessie Walker will be important support.
Emma Johansson
The Swedish Champion is running out of chances to take the
world title after announcing she would step back for full time
racing at the end of next season. Johansson has long been one
of the most consistent riders in the peloton. Whatever the
race you can be sure she will be around the mark. Sweden might
only have a four-rider team but they will rally around
Johansson to try and deliver her to the win. In the past you
would have liked her chances in a reduced bunch sprint but
this year she has not seen as quick so you can expect an
aggressive race. If we get rain all the better for Johansson.
Katarzyna Niewiadoma
Still just 20 but Niewiadoma has had another very strong
season racing against some of the best. Won Euskal Emakumeen
Bira, second at European Games and fifth at the Giro Rosa and
the recent Lotto Belgium Tour. A very strong climber expect to
see her very active at the front in the closing four
kilometres. Is not going to beat the top favourites in a
sprint so will need to be aggressive.
Ashleigh Moolman
Moolman has finished fourth at Strade Bianche, La Fleche
Wallonne and GP de Plouay-Bretagne plus 10th at Ronde van
Vlaanderen and Trofeo Alfredo Binda this season. Not just a
great one-day rider winning Auensteiner-Radsporttage and
fourth overall at the Giro Rosa. Finished third on a similar
city circuit at the Commonwealth Games. The course might not
be as hard as she would like but should still be in
contention.
Alena Amialiusik
After a breakthrough 2014 Amialiusik has had an even better
2015 season winning Gracia Orlova, Winston Salem Cycling
Classic and the European Games road race. The biggest question
for Amialiusik is how to make the race hard enough. Can sprint
from a select group but is not likely to trouble the likes of
Armitstead, Bronzini or D'hoore so will need to make a
selection. Part of the winning TTT squad with Velocio-SRAM and
finished eight in the ITT in a sign is on great form.
Christine Majerus
In the top 10 of every stage bar one (17 of 18) at the
Energiewacht Tour, Festival Luxembourgeois Elsy Jacobs, Aviva
Women's Tour, Tour de Bretagne Feminin and Ladies tour of
Norway. Has had a very consistent season and will be looking
to finish off with a strong note. Not a pure sprinter but with
the false flat to the finish and climbs in the final four
kilometres will fancy her chances in a reduce bunch to maybe
sneak on to the podium. With no team support will have to ride
a smart race.
Linda Villumsen
Chloe Dygert managed to pull off the road race and time trial
double could Linda Villumsen do the same? Has long been one of
the best time trial riders in the world but don't discount her
in the road race. Her long solo attacks have often delivered
her wins and that is what she is likely to do here. Without a
sprinter Villumsen will likely try to attack and get away
hoping she can time trial to the finish.
Lotta Lepisto
Champion of Finland Lotta Lepisto could be a strong outsider.
Might not be a big name compared to many of the riders in the
field but Lepisto has had some very good results this year.
Top 10's at Aviva Women's Tour and more at the Internationale
Thuringen Rundfahrt including a stage win, beating Emma
Johansson.
Amalie Dideriksen
Won the junior road race the last two years and will be
looking to finish off her first season as a professional on a
strong note. Has had a very good year picking up consistent
results mostly in smaller races. It will be very interesting
to see how she performs her against the best. Comes in off a
stage win and second overall at the Lotto Belgium Tour.
Other names to watch: Karol-ann Canuel, Eugenia Bujak, Jolanda
Neff, Eugenia Bujak and Tatiana Antoshina. |
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