WomensCycling.net - race coverage, World Cup 2010, GP De Plouay

Emma Pooley (Cervelo Test Team) won the final World Cup in a solo victory. World Cup leader Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloiet) sprinted for second ahead of Emma Johansson (Red Sun). Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia) was fourth.

In a repeat result of the 2009 race, the final World Cup of the season was a crunch must win for a number of riders if they had a chance of snatching the overall victory from Vos. Going into the race, Johansson, Charlotte Becker (Cervelo Test Team), Noemi Cantele ad Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia) and Grace Verbeke (Lotto), were all on with a chance given the absence of second place overall Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team).

Early in the race the winner of Thueringen Rundfahrt and third at Route de France, in-form Olga Zabelinskaya (Safi-Pasta Zara) tried to stretch the bunch but it did not achieve anything. Joelle Numainville (Canada) made a big attack early on, but was unable to break away.

The early break from Lizzie Armitstead (Cervelo Test Team) was just one of the options for the team. It had the desired effect. Cervelo Team mate, Sharon Laws joined Armitstead which meant the other teams had to chase. Two strong Cervélo riders were too dangerous. The bunch closed the gap to the lone pair, Vos and her Nederland Bloeit team and Johansson and the Redsun Cycling Team worked hard on the front to bring them back.

Luise Keller (HTC - Columbia Women) counterattacked after Elizabeth Armitstead had been caught. This attack was again closed by the Nederland Bloiet. Vos sat in the bunch, just behind Pooley and Johansson watching every move.

The counter attacks and chasing caused much damage in the peloton. Once Keller was caught, Pooley attacked and the break which formed was decisive, Johansson, Pooley, Arndt and Vos.

Marta Bastianelli (Fenixs - Petrogradets) tried to cross the gap, but didn't make it. Vos led the break through the start / finish line in Plouay for the final lap. Pooley was definitely the strongest rider on the day. On the final hill of Ty-Marrec, she increased the pace and rode her three adversaries off her wheel. Vos hesitated a little too much and subsequently tried to bridge the gap but Pooley didn’t give her a chance to come across and soloed to a fine victory.

The 2010 World Cup Champion Vos was a very happy winner after securing the overall with her second place sprint.

With today’s ninth and the last World Cup race of the 2010 season the women of Cervélo TestTeam have now clinched the World Cup Team ranking with five victories to their credit.

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Post Race Comments

Emma Pooley (Cervelo Test Team) after a great victory last year in Plouay, Emma Pooley (GBR) came back to France with the best memories and took her second win in a row in the French World Cup race. With more than a minute lead ahead of Vos and Johansson. The podium this year is exactly the same as the 2009 edition of the race. “It is just amazing this victory. Actually I didn’t expect that but the course and terrain of western France seems to fit me,” said the double winner Pooley. “We were a group of four riders coming into the final lap. As I am not so strong in sprints I tried my luck at the Côte de Kerihuel and attacked but Marianne Vos was still on my wheels on the top. So I attacked again at Ty Marrec and this time I was able get away and pushed hard on the final kilometers for the victory. It is great to win here in Plouay again.”

Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloiet) was very happy with her rider today and winning the overall World Cup. "I wore the jersey from the first race on, since the Trofeo Binda,” Vos said afterwards. “So I’ve worried all year about keeping the jersey and I’m relieved now. I was focused on the World Cup classification. I knew Emma Johansson could beat me but I also knew the third place was enough. However, I wanted to win the race too. When Emma Pooley attacked on the second climb of the circuit, I could just hold her wheel but when she went in the last hill, I had to let her go. She was too strong,” added Vos

Egon van Kessel (Sports Director of Cervélo TestTeam.) was a very happy team director in his first season wiht the team. “The GP de Plouay is always a challenge,” commented van Kessel, “Our tactic was to make the race hard with a lot of attacks and the team worked it perfectly. We were in several breaks during the race with Lizzie [Armitstead], Sharon [Laws], Charlotte Becker and finally Emma Pooley. Pooley caught the final break with Marianne Vos, Judith Arndt (GER) and Emma Johansson. That group had a gap of four minutes heading into the final lap. Emma performed magnificently with a strong attack that gave her the solo win. I’m really happy with today’s victory and also wish to congratulate all our riders for the overall win of the Team World Cup ranking.“ added van Kessel

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Results - Top - 10 - click here to see full result

Position	Name	Team	Time/Gap
1	Emma Pooley	Cervelo Test Team	3:12:37
2	Marianne Vos	Nederland Bloeit	0:01:14
3	Emma Johansson	Redsun Cycling Team	"
4	Judith Arndt	HTC Columbia Women	"
5	Evelyn Stevens	HTC Columbia Women	0:02:35
6	Charlotte Becker	Cervelo Test Team	0:03:33
7	Natalia Boyarskaya	Fenixs - Petrogradets	0:03:37
8	Erinne Willock,	Canadian National Team	0:05:49
9	Olga Zabelinskaya	Safi - Pasta Zara	"
10	Rasa Leleivyte	Safi - Pasta Zara	0:05:57

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Standings Top 10 - click here to see full standings

Position	Name	Team	Points
1	Marianne Vos	Nederland Bloeit	270
2	Emma Johansson	Redsun Cycling Team	209
3	Kirsten Wild	Cervelo Test Team	202
4	Charlotte Becker	Cervelo Test Team	182
5	Judith Arndt	HTC Columbia Women	161
6	Annemiek Van Vleuten	Nederland Bloeit	160
7	Grace Verbeke	Lotto Ladies Team	158
8	Emma Pooley	Cervelo Test Team	157
9	Adrie Visser	HTC Columbia Women	137
10	Nicole Cooke		112

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Photos Click on any image to enlarge >>

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