UCI Road World Cup 2013

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Ronde van Drenthe 2013

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UCI World Cup, round 1 - Ronde van Drenthe Preview

Hoogeveen, 132.8km

Race Preview Writeup

Traditionally the race ends in small group sprint and it is anticipated that this year will be no different. The 132.8km route starts and finishes in the outskirts of Hoogeveen. It heads out to loop through Emmen via tight turns, narrow roads which often taper to little more than tracks and 3 stretches of cobbles totalling 10km. 

The longest cobbled section through woods west of Odoorn, is traditionally where the breaks start to form in the latter part of the race. Three ascents of Co, du VAM, a landfill site, make up the GPM points and bookend this demanding, technical course which virtually guarantees the cream of the crop will be battling it out for the win in the final kilometres.

Previous Winners: In this early season race, Dutch riders have previously dominated the podium. Only 4 non-Dutch riders have stepped upon the podium! 

Given the early season form from the 2012 Olympic Champion, Marianne Vos (Rabobank Liv/Giant), should be favourite for the race. Vos won the race in 2011 and 2012 and has already secured a win the the Drentse 8. Argos Shimano's Kirsten Wild has also show good sprinting legs at the Tour of Qatar. Emma Johansson (Orica-AIS) will not want to finish third again. She has had a run of third place results already this season. The team are in good form, so it will be tactics and positioning that will be required to get Johansson up to the last 200m and in with a chance.

Wiggle Honda have a few cards to play. Double World Road Champion Giorgia Bronzini is looking for her first win for the team. They also have New Zealander Emily Collins who upstaged the sprinters to win the Omloop van het Hageland and despite a lack in recent form, Rochelle Gilmore is always known to upset the sprint.

Specialized Lululemon will be disappointed that Ina-Yoko Teutenberg will be missing from the line up. They will be looking to Ellen van Dijk and Trixi Worrack to be there if it comes down to a sprint.  Hitec will be looking to Chloe Hosking in the sprint. Hosking has the support of fellow Australian Rachel Neylan. Lizzi Armitstead (Boels Dolman) rested for the Drentse 8. The team will be looking to her for a result.

American team Tibco have been working hard at the front of the bunches in the early season races. Shelly Olds is their best hope in the sprint. Sengers Ladies have been improving over the last 12 month. In part due to the efforts of Anna van der Breggan. They could cause some damage early on.

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