With Stage 3 staying close to the eastern coastline for much of its 93.5km, teams expected yet more crosswinds today and were entirely correct in doing so: the bunch was split up early on once again as riders battled to make progress - Chloe Hosking (Hitec Products) later described it as "seriously one of the hardest races I have done." A group of 28, including all those who went into the race with a reasonable chance of winning, got away and led for most of the day.
In the final kilometres the lead group had been whittled down to a dozen, and as the finish drew near it looked as though Lizzie Armitstead (Boels-Dolmans), who is the only British rider in the race, would also be the only rider able to challenge the mighty Kirsten Wild, despite the Dutch rider's Giant-Shimano squad having kept tight reins on the race all the way. However, Wild's famously powerful sprint proved too much and she had little difficulty in retaining her lead across the finish line to win a third stage for the team. Armitstead was right behind her, taking second place and an identical time, while Hosking was third.
Following bonification, Wild takes back the overall lead from team mate Amy Pieters (winner of Stage 2) and now has an advantage of 9" - and seems a safe bet for anyone wanting to predict tomorrow's results, too.
Stage 3 Top Ten
1 Kirsten WILD (Giant-Shimano) 2h27'34"
2 Elizabeth ARMITSTEAD (Boels-Dolmans) ST
3 Chloe HOSKING (Hitec Products) ST
4 Shelley OLDS (Ale-Cipollini) ST
5 Emma JOHANSSON (Orica-AIS) ST
6 Barbara GUARISCHI (Ale-Cipollini) ST
7 Trixi WORRACK (Specialized-Lululemon) ST
8 Elena CECCHINI (Italy NT) ST
9 Amy PIETERS (Giant-Shimano) ST
10 Loes GUNNEWIJK (Orica-AIS) ST
Full result: stage / GC
Showing posts with label tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tour. Show all posts
Thursday, 6 February 2014
Monday, 3 February 2014
British hope at the Tour of Qatar
Somewhat surprisingly, considering the enormous upsurge in interest in women's cycling in Britain and the number of world-class athletes from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland making their mark on the cycling scene in recent years, British hopes for a Tour of Qatar victory rest on the shoulders of just one rider - even the British-registered team Wiggle-Honda will compete without a Brit.
However, as that one rider is Lizzie Armitstead, who is currently ranked 17th among Elite Women worldwide by the UCI, there's still a very good chance of a British victory - not least of all because Qatar is made up of the sort of windy, flat stages that usually result in bunch sprints which suit a rider equipped with Armitstead's super-fast sprint abilities (she was, after all, second to Marianne Vos as the 2012 Olympics - and Vos is popularly acclaimed as the greatest rider of her generation), and because she has a strong Boels-Dolmans squad made up of Romy Kasper, Christine Majerus, Katerzyna Pawlowska and Marieke Van Wanroij backing her up.
If the gold General Classification jersey seems out of reach, Armitstead could instead aim for the silver Points competition jersey - a stage win combined with good performances in the intermediate sprints would put her in with a good chance at this. However, with no climbs anywhere in the race, all the teams will be sending the best sprinters they have and she'll face stiff competition for each and every point.
The race covers 388km split into four stages, some of them familiar from previous editions of the Tour.
Stage 1, extending for 97km, is a carbon copy of 2013's Stage 1 which was won by Australian Chloe Hosking of Hitec Products-UCK. Hosking has been one of the finest sprinters in the world for a few years now and has continued to improve; racing for Hitec again this year, she'll be one of Armitstead's strongest rivals for stage victory and the overall General Classification.
The riders will cross the finish line twice, first after 35.5km from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha and then again at the end of the race 61.5km later. When they do so for the first time they'll enter the first of two intermediate sprints; the second intermediate sprint on the desert road heading east to Al Wakra.
Stage 2 starts at Al Zubara, a ruined city with a fort that looks medieval but in fact dates from 1938. Heading north-east along exposed coastal roads, the riders can expect very powerful crosswinds all the way to their first arrival at Al Ruwais. This may split the peloton, but it's unlikely that we'll see breakaways here as riders will concentrate on forming echelons for shelter.
At Al Ruwais, they'll turn and ride almost all the way across the country to Athba; since they'll now be heading away from the east coast, a strong tail wind could make this a very fast section of the stage and once again prevent breakaways. After a short stretch north to Al Gariyah, they turn west and begin riding back to Al Ruwais, this time battling a headwind. Having crossed the finish line for the first time they'll begin four laps around Madinat Al Shamal with intermediate sprints the second and fourth times they cross the line before finishing on the fifth after 112.3km.
Stage 2 in 2012 started and ended at the same points, but followed a different parcours that led east across the desert rather than north along the coast, making it an entirely different sort of race. Trixi Worrack won that day; she's back leading the Specialized-Lululemon team this year, but with the changes to the route it's impossible to say whether she has more chance at winning than her rivals this year - and since victory is likely to go to a rider able to generate a sprint-winning high wattage after fighting the wind for so much of the way, Armitstead seems to have odds as good as anyone else.
Stage 3 runs for 93.5km from Katara Cultural Village at Doha just a short distance from the famous Pearl to Al Khor Corniches and then north into the desert before returning to Al Khor Corniche - remaining near to the eastern coast, it's likely to subject the riders to crosswinds which may blow in off the sea to the east or straight across the flat landscape from the west.
Once again, there are two intermediate sprints. The first is at Tenbek, 45km into the race and roughly two thirds of the way to Al Khor Corniche, while the second is 44.5km later at Al Thakira, 8.5km from the finish.
Stage 4 will also feel familiar to riders who competed last year, because it's the same as the final stage from 2013 - though it's listed as being 85km instead of 86.5km this time around, for some reason. Then, unusually for Qatar, the wind dropped and completely changed the character if the race, encouraging fierce breakaways and attacks as Hitec fought to get Hosking into a position to take on race leader and eventual victor Kirsten Wild who is back with her Giant-Shimano team this year - and who will be a very powerful opponent to Armitstead and anyone else hoping to win.
Starting at the Sealine Beach Resort, the parcours heads north via Mesaieed and Al Wakra (site of the first intermediate sprint, 38.5km from the start) to Doha; never venturing more than a few kilometres from the east coast it's likely that the riders will have to contend with crosswinds, unless the weather does something unexpected again. Once at Doha they'll compete five laps of the fast city circuit with the second intermediate sprint at the fourth crossing of the finish line, 11.5km from the end of the race.
Further information
The official race website is here and daily results will be published by the UCI. Team rosters: Ale Cipollini / Australia National Team / Astana-BePink / Boels-Dolmans / China Chong Ming / France National Team / Hitec Products / Italy National Team / Lotto-Belisol / Orica-AIS / Rabo-Liv/Giant / RusVelo / Specialized-Lululemon / Giant-Shimano / Wiggle-Honda.
 |
| Armitstead is the only British rider at this year's Tour of Qatar |
If the gold General Classification jersey seems out of reach, Armitstead could instead aim for the silver Points competition jersey - a stage win combined with good performances in the intermediate sprints would put her in with a good chance at this. However, with no climbs anywhere in the race, all the teams will be sending the best sprinters they have and she'll face stiff competition for each and every point.
The race covers 388km split into four stages, some of them familiar from previous editions of the Tour.
Stage 1, extending for 97km, is a carbon copy of 2013's Stage 1 which was won by Australian Chloe Hosking of Hitec Products-UCK. Hosking has been one of the finest sprinters in the world for a few years now and has continued to improve; racing for Hitec again this year, she'll be one of Armitstead's strongest rivals for stage victory and the overall General Classification.
The riders will cross the finish line twice, first after 35.5km from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha and then again at the end of the race 61.5km later. When they do so for the first time they'll enter the first of two intermediate sprints; the second intermediate sprint on the desert road heading east to Al Wakra.
At Al Ruwais, they'll turn and ride almost all the way across the country to Athba; since they'll now be heading away from the east coast, a strong tail wind could make this a very fast section of the stage and once again prevent breakaways. After a short stretch north to Al Gariyah, they turn west and begin riding back to Al Ruwais, this time battling a headwind. Having crossed the finish line for the first time they'll begin four laps around Madinat Al Shamal with intermediate sprints the second and fourth times they cross the line before finishing on the fifth after 112.3km.
Stage 2 in 2012 started and ended at the same points, but followed a different parcours that led east across the desert rather than north along the coast, making it an entirely different sort of race. Trixi Worrack won that day; she's back leading the Specialized-Lululemon team this year, but with the changes to the route it's impossible to say whether she has more chance at winning than her rivals this year - and since victory is likely to go to a rider able to generate a sprint-winning high wattage after fighting the wind for so much of the way, Armitstead seems to have odds as good as anyone else.
Once again, there are two intermediate sprints. The first is at Tenbek, 45km into the race and roughly two thirds of the way to Al Khor Corniche, while the second is 44.5km later at Al Thakira, 8.5km from the finish.
Stage 4 will also feel familiar to riders who competed last year, because it's the same as the final stage from 2013 - though it's listed as being 85km instead of 86.5km this time around, for some reason. Then, unusually for Qatar, the wind dropped and completely changed the character if the race, encouraging fierce breakaways and attacks as Hitec fought to get Hosking into a position to take on race leader and eventual victor Kirsten Wild who is back with her Giant-Shimano team this year - and who will be a very powerful opponent to Armitstead and anyone else hoping to win.
Further information
The official race website is here and daily results will be published by the UCI. Team rosters: Ale Cipollini / Australia National Team / Astana-BePink / Boels-Dolmans / China Chong Ming / France National Team / Hitec Products / Italy National Team / Lotto-Belisol / Orica-AIS / Rabo-Liv/Giant / RusVelo / Specialized-Lululemon / Giant-Shimano / Wiggle-Honda.
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Alexandra Women's Tour of the Reservoir
12.04.2014
Edmundbyers, England
Road Race, 67.8km
E/1/2/3/4
54°51'27.76"N 1°59'17.62"W
Race Entry
Women's cycling in Britain is desperately in need of some longer races so that the riders have an opportunity to show the public that they're fully capable of completing "proper" events, which will help to finally kill off the misconception that women's sports are not as interesting, exciting or worthy of attention as men's sports. For that reason, the warm welcome received by the announcement that the Tour of the Reservoir would include a women's race for the first time in its history this year was somewhat tempered by the fact that the women will race on a much shorter parcours than the men.
However, the race organisers explained that this year, they'd been unable to organise a race as long as they'd have liked because the road closures they'd been able to secure were limited - and if the 2014 edition proves to be a success, they'll be permitted longer closures in 2015 and thus be able to organise a much longer women's race held on a separate day to the men's. The men's Tour has been highly popular for many years now and is popularly considered to be one of the most challenging races in the country; the women's race, therefore, could become a real showcase for the sport if it's successful this year. As fans, we can make sure that happens - by making sure everyone knows about it and the plans the organisers have for its future, and by going to see it. Remember: the more spectators that show up, the more sponsors show interest.
While the Tour might not be very long, anyone who turns up thinking it'll be easy is in for a shock: along with the Rutland-Melton Classic, this is about the closest women's racing in Britain comes to the infamously difficult Flemish classics - in fact, with the tough climbs dotted along the parcours and the often inclement weather frequently experienced in County Durham and Northumberland in April, this might very easily become one of the hardest women's races in Europe.
Neutral Service reader (and now, contributor) David White lives near the parcours and rides on the same roads regularly. He gave us a brief description of the route...
The Parcours
Much of the parcours is extremely exposed, making the going difficult in even relatively light wind due to the altitude. The prevailing wind around the reservoir blows from the north, meaning that the riders are likely to have to contend with crosswinds from the left for most of the route along the B6306 and B6278, a headwind along the A68, crosswinds from the right as they travel east along the northern flanks of the reservoir. There are numerous steep sections, including one greater than 10% approaching the finish line, as well as numerous steep descents and difficult corners. Combined, all of these factors make for a very technical and challenging parcours.
0-5km
The race begins on the B6306 at the westernmost end of the reservoir, heading north-east - the low stone wall down a bank on the left side of the road and the spindly conifers beyond it will do little to calm cross winds blowing down the hillsides over the valley, across the water and straight into the riders' paths, possibly splitting the bunch into several groups only a few metres into the race if blowing with sufficient strength. The road also travels uphill here. After 0.5km, the route passes by some cottages on the left; 100m further on, where the road passes between woodland on both sides, there is a section where a small brook often overflows onto the road after heavy rain (1 Caution, marked by a yellow pin, on our map) - a potentially slippery point, but on a straight road and thus not especially hazardous. Crosswinds are likely to be even stronger when the riders emerge from the woods.
After 1.1km the parcours passes more woodland, then some buildings on the left before reaching the first bend, a fairly tight right-hander. A farm vehicle entrance right on the apex of the bend may cause mud on the road (2 Caution) and any small lead groups might be able to add a few seconds to their advantage at this point, being able to take advantage of the wind that, now blowing from behind, will allow them to sail up the short hill like land yachts while the riders in the pack behind them have to take things slower to avoid crashing. The road over the hill carries the race into what is unmistakably mountain moorland; at 2.49km, where a track leads off to the left (3 Caution; by the woods), there may be loose gravel on the road.
At 3.13km the road bends slightly right, then sharply left before entering a fast, sweeping left; the road is wide here and the bends can be taken at high speed. The green barn to the left of the road at 3.63km marks the beginning of the biggest and steepest climb so far - over the next 0.3km, the riders will climb 21m to 293m above sea level at an average gradient of 7.1%. The second half of the climb is steeper; according to Google Earth data, it reaches 10.4% at the slight right bend 3.85km into the parcours before slackening as it approaches the summit where a small lay-by provides an ideal spot for spectators*.
From 4.17km, the road starts to descend - the start of the descent is marked by a house high above on the right, but it's hard to see from the road; the first hundred metres is very steep in parts. Approximately halfway down the riders arrive at Edmundbyers where, 4.73km from the start, they keep left to follow the road as it veers to the east (4 Caution). Some caution is required here as riders who fail to brake in time from the descent run the risk of crashing into the metal railings running along the right-hand side of the road. Meanwhile, there is a danger of loose gravel along the left of the road.
5-10km
The road continues to descend through the village, reaching a left turn onto the B6278 at a T-junction (5 Caution; look for the "finger" signpost pointing left to Shotley Wood and the large red double doors on the house over the road) at 5.07km. The turn isn't difficult but the white lines painted on the road may become slippery when wet. The road then continues to descend, steeply in parts, for the next 1km before arriving at the left turn onto the road that will carry the race up to and over the dam.
Turning left at 6.08km onto a much narrower road to continue to the dam, the riders arrive at a pinch point when they have to pass through a narrow gate (6 Caution) - leading riders, either solo or in small groups, will be able to get through and continue far quicker than the main group, but all riders will be slowed significantly as the gate also has a cattle grid. The road beyond the gate is narrow, giving any climbers at the front of the bunch an opportunity to get away up the hill climbing up to the dam which, while short at 0.5km, reaches 6%. Once there, they begin one of the most spectacular sections of any race in Britain, riding along the top of the dam wall - where, if there's a strong crosswind blowing off the reservoir, the heavier riders may be able to catch them. The short ramp up to the opposite end, meanwhile, allows them further opportunity, being as steep as 7%; the heavier riders then have another chance to catch up from 7.59km (7 Caution) on the steep descent leading back down to the main road, which in parts is near -13%.
At 8.22km, having reached the bottom of the descent, the riders negotiate a tight, fast left-hand bend to rejoin the B6278; they now follow the road as it begins to climb gently to 9.27km, where the biggest climb of the parcours begins. Rising 69m in 0.93km, the average gradient is 7.7%, which is plenty steep enough; however, Google's mapping data puts the steepest section (just after the left-hand turn at 9km) at 9.1% and while it's probably too far from the finish line for an individual to emerge as sure-fire winner, we are likely to see the group from which the winner is selected get away here during the final lap. On each lap, the first riders to the top will be awarded primes.
10-15km
The Manor House Inn marks 10km from the start as well as signaling the end of the climb; due to the altitude and exposed terrain just after the left-hand turn onto the A68, the riders are likely to turn into a strong headwind here - another opportunity for the heavier riders to catch up with any climbers who got away on the way up.
The 0.8km from the turning is flat and ends at a fork where the riders will keep left to join a narrower road which remains flat for 0.5km, then climbs 19m in 0.5km (average 3.8%; maximum, in the second half, 6.2%). A short flat section then leads to 12.6km, where another short climb begins - due to the rough track crossing the road here, this may be a hazardous spot with mud and sharp stones on the road. The end of the road, at 13.3km and 306m above sea level, is the highest point on the parcours; the race turns left here and continues for 0.37km, with riders getting some much-needed shelter from the wind by the conifers on the right side of the road, before turning left again to begin the long descent that will take them along the northern side of the reservoir and towards the beginning of a new lap.
The descent, 2.4km long, continues past the next left turn (just past the large grey house and it's best to keep a short way out from the left verge as there are a few potholes in the road) and doesn't get very steep over the first 2km, thus allowing all but the most downhill-phobic climbers to retain any lead they gained on the preceding sections.
15km-End of circuit
The final 0.4km of the descent becomes much steeper, reaching -8.8% as the road follows a sweeping right-hand bend (9 Caution) - the road is wide enough for the bend to be taken at very high speed, but caution is required and with loose verges on both sides of the road the safest place to be is the centre. Unless it's raining, of course, in which case the white lines are going to be slippery.
Following the descent, as the road begins to bend gently to the left, the terrain flattens out considerably - there are a few small climbs, some steep, on the way around the reservoir but no more testing climbs to come for the next 3.5km. This, especially on the final lap, evens things up: any climbers that got away earlier can be caught (especially if they were one of the rare types that can descend, too) and it's a good opportunity for the teams to regroup and get their potential winners into position for the final assault on the finish line. At 15.9km, the reservoir comes back into view on the left; 400m later, with the reservoir once again hidden by trees, the riders come to a short but tough small climb of 0.2km with a maxiumum gradient of around 6% (white fences on both sides of the road mark the beginning and end). The short descent and flat 1km that follows is another point where climbers will have to work hard to maintain a lead.
At 17.6km, where a track crosses the road and may lead to mud and gravel on the tarmac (10 Caution), the road bends left and begins another short climb of around 0.2km length with a maximum gradient of 6.5%, ending at the farm. The next two kilometres running to the westernmost end of the reservoir are rolling but free of steep ramps making this a relatively easy section, with the only real issue being the descent from 18.6km (maximum -4.6%), which takes in a medium left bend followed by a tight right (11 Caution). Both have loose verges and may be slippery. At 19.7km, the riders reach another left leading into a short descent at Carrick's Haugh, then find themselves on a bridge where care is needed not to crash on the verge running along the right (12 Caution). The bridge serves as a handy marker for the start of the final climb on the circuit, a tough 0.4km section starting from 19.9km and gaining 33m by the time the riders arrive back at Carrick's Corner, where they earlier joined the circuit - the average gradient is approximately 8.25%; the maximum, which can be avoided by staying away from the left verge as the road joins the B6306, is 14%.
Final section
After completing three laps of the circuits, the riders will take a different route (marked in red on our map) to the finish line. Beginning at Carrick's Corner, they take the same route towards the dam but this time do not turn left to ride up onto it at 6.08km. Instead, they continue along the B6278 for 0.87km to the point where, earlier, they rejoined the B6278 following the descent down from the dam. Here they turn left, and the descent they tackled earlier, with its maximum gradient of 13%, becomes an ascent that is more than tough enough to shake up the order at the front of the race. The finish line is at the dam.
*Note: The lay-by only really has room for one or two cars. That means, of course, that there's space for about a hundred bikes - so if you're planning to see the race from that point, get there on your bike if you can so that other people will be able to do the same. The more the merrier - take a barbecue and some beers and have a party.
Start List
Not yet available
Getting There
Please note: Derwent Reservoir (County Durham/Northumberland) should not be confused with the reservoir of the same name in Derbyshire.
The parcours is best reached from the south via the A68, from the north via the A69, from the west via the A6079 and from the east via the A694, A692 or A693. Google Maps has an excellent application that can design routes suited to cars or bikes.
Staying There
The local inns offer accommodation, but this is very limited and likely to be booked up well in advance. There is a Youth Hostel at Edmundbyers and also Durham (37km), which as a popular tourist destination has several hotels. There is also a campsite (tents and caravans) at Edmundbyers (postcode DH8 9NN), but people planning to camp should be aware that the weather can be very bad in April.
Edmundbyers, England
Road Race, 67.8km
E/1/2/3/4
54°51'27.76"N 1°59'17.62"W
Race Entry
Women's cycling in Britain is desperately in need of some longer races so that the riders have an opportunity to show the public that they're fully capable of completing "proper" events, which will help to finally kill off the misconception that women's sports are not as interesting, exciting or worthy of attention as men's sports. For that reason, the warm welcome received by the announcement that the Tour of the Reservoir would include a women's race for the first time in its history this year was somewhat tempered by the fact that the women will race on a much shorter parcours than the men.
However, the race organisers explained that this year, they'd been unable to organise a race as long as they'd have liked because the road closures they'd been able to secure were limited - and if the 2014 edition proves to be a success, they'll be permitted longer closures in 2015 and thus be able to organise a much longer women's race held on a separate day to the men's. The men's Tour has been highly popular for many years now and is popularly considered to be one of the most challenging races in the country; the women's race, therefore, could become a real showcase for the sport if it's successful this year. As fans, we can make sure that happens - by making sure everyone knows about it and the plans the organisers have for its future, and by going to see it. Remember: the more spectators that show up, the more sponsors show interest.
While the Tour might not be very long, anyone who turns up thinking it'll be easy is in for a shock: along with the Rutland-Melton Classic, this is about the closest women's racing in Britain comes to the infamously difficult Flemish classics - in fact, with the tough climbs dotted along the parcours and the often inclement weather frequently experienced in County Durham and Northumberland in April, this might very easily become one of the hardest women's races in Europe.
Neutral Service reader (and now, contributor) David White lives near the parcours and rides on the same roads regularly. He gave us a brief description of the route...
The character of the race is very much determined by the course and in the case of the Tour of the Reservoir also by the exposed nature of it as well. The riders HQ is in the village of Blanchland and they roll out of the village on the B6306 a climb out of the village and steady undulating road brings them to Carrick’s Corner at the head of the reservoir and here the race starts. The road climbs away from the reservoir itself and climbs steadily with a few switchbacks thrown in for good measure before dropping down into the village of Edmundbyres.
Here the route heads off downhill on the B6278 before turning right and riding over the dam of the Derwent Reservoir. From here they roll down from the dam to rejoin the B6278 next to the River Derwent, a short section of twisting road then opens out from a left hand bend to reveal the main climb of the route.
Starting as a gentle incline the climb gets serious as soon as the riders fork left off the B6278 and head up towards the Manor House pub on the A68. The climb is approximately 700m long and averages 8% gradient with a few kicks along the way. If the riders are lucky the prevailing wind will be on their backs, if not it will be even harder work.
The riders go onto the A68 and head north following the ridgeline for a short section before leaving the A68 onto and unclassified road heading up to Barleyhill, the highest point on the course. The road is undulating and exposed but the actual climbing is very gentle. At Barleyhill the riders make two left turns in quick succession and start to descend back to the reservoir. I hope some road repairs are done before the event as several large potholes could cause serious damage if not.
The riders will be flying as they turn and follow the northern shore of the reservoir past the yacht club before reaching a rolling section of road that takes them to the head of the reservoir. There are some beautiful views of the reservoir along this section however I don’t think the riders will have time to notice!
At the head of the reservoir the riders make a left turn to join the B6306 to head back towards Edmundbyers completing the lap. The finish of the race will be at the top of the dam, but with a revised way of getting there. Instead of turning off and riding over the dam itself the riders continue on the B6278 to the bottom of the valley and go over the river Derwent and then into the dam area. This gives a short climb to the finish at the top of the dam to crown a worthy victor.
The Parcours
View Tour of the Reservoir in a larger map
Much of the parcours is extremely exposed, making the going difficult in even relatively light wind due to the altitude. The prevailing wind around the reservoir blows from the north, meaning that the riders are likely to have to contend with crosswinds from the left for most of the route along the B6306 and B6278, a headwind along the A68, crosswinds from the right as they travel east along the northern flanks of the reservoir. There are numerous steep sections, including one greater than 10% approaching the finish line, as well as numerous steep descents and difficult corners. Combined, all of these factors make for a very technical and challenging parcours.
 |
| Guide to map symbols |
The race begins on the B6306 at the westernmost end of the reservoir, heading north-east - the low stone wall down a bank on the left side of the road and the spindly conifers beyond it will do little to calm cross winds blowing down the hillsides over the valley, across the water and straight into the riders' paths, possibly splitting the bunch into several groups only a few metres into the race if blowing with sufficient strength. The road also travels uphill here. After 0.5km, the route passes by some cottages on the left; 100m further on, where the road passes between woodland on both sides, there is a section where a small brook often overflows onto the road after heavy rain (1 Caution, marked by a yellow pin, on our map) - a potentially slippery point, but on a straight road and thus not especially hazardous. Crosswinds are likely to be even stronger when the riders emerge from the woods.
After 1.1km the parcours passes more woodland, then some buildings on the left before reaching the first bend, a fairly tight right-hander. A farm vehicle entrance right on the apex of the bend may cause mud on the road (2 Caution) and any small lead groups might be able to add a few seconds to their advantage at this point, being able to take advantage of the wind that, now blowing from behind, will allow them to sail up the short hill like land yachts while the riders in the pack behind them have to take things slower to avoid crashing. The road over the hill carries the race into what is unmistakably mountain moorland; at 2.49km, where a track leads off to the left (3 Caution; by the woods), there may be loose gravel on the road.
At 3.13km the road bends slightly right, then sharply left before entering a fast, sweeping left; the road is wide here and the bends can be taken at high speed. The green barn to the left of the road at 3.63km marks the beginning of the biggest and steepest climb so far - over the next 0.3km, the riders will climb 21m to 293m above sea level at an average gradient of 7.1%. The second half of the climb is steeper; according to Google Earth data, it reaches 10.4% at the slight right bend 3.85km into the parcours before slackening as it approaches the summit where a small lay-by provides an ideal spot for spectators*.
From 4.17km, the road starts to descend - the start of the descent is marked by a house high above on the right, but it's hard to see from the road; the first hundred metres is very steep in parts. Approximately halfway down the riders arrive at Edmundbyers where, 4.73km from the start, they keep left to follow the road as it veers to the east (4 Caution). Some caution is required here as riders who fail to brake in time from the descent run the risk of crashing into the metal railings running along the right-hand side of the road. Meanwhile, there is a danger of loose gravel along the left of the road.
5-10km
The road continues to descend through the village, reaching a left turn onto the B6278 at a T-junction (5 Caution; look for the "finger" signpost pointing left to Shotley Wood and the large red double doors on the house over the road) at 5.07km. The turn isn't difficult but the white lines painted on the road may become slippery when wet. The road then continues to descend, steeply in parts, for the next 1km before arriving at the left turn onto the road that will carry the race up to and over the dam.
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| The dam wall (image: Dennis Lovett CC BY-SA 2.0) |
At 8.22km, having reached the bottom of the descent, the riders negotiate a tight, fast left-hand bend to rejoin the B6278; they now follow the road as it begins to climb gently to 9.27km, where the biggest climb of the parcours begins. Rising 69m in 0.93km, the average gradient is 7.7%, which is plenty steep enough; however, Google's mapping data puts the steepest section (just after the left-hand turn at 9km) at 9.1% and while it's probably too far from the finish line for an individual to emerge as sure-fire winner, we are likely to see the group from which the winner is selected get away here during the final lap. On each lap, the first riders to the top will be awarded primes.
10-15km
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| Manor House Inn, at the top of the prime (image: Duncan Grey CC-BY-SA 2.0) |
The 0.8km from the turning is flat and ends at a fork where the riders will keep left to join a narrower road which remains flat for 0.5km, then climbs 19m in 0.5km (average 3.8%; maximum, in the second half, 6.2%). A short flat section then leads to 12.6km, where another short climb begins - due to the rough track crossing the road here, this may be a hazardous spot with mud and sharp stones on the road. The end of the road, at 13.3km and 306m above sea level, is the highest point on the parcours; the race turns left here and continues for 0.37km, with riders getting some much-needed shelter from the wind by the conifers on the right side of the road, before turning left again to begin the long descent that will take them along the northern side of the reservoir and towards the beginning of a new lap.
The descent, 2.4km long, continues past the next left turn (just past the large grey house and it's best to keep a short way out from the left verge as there are a few potholes in the road) and doesn't get very steep over the first 2km, thus allowing all but the most downhill-phobic climbers to retain any lead they gained on the preceding sections.
15km-End of circuit
The final 0.4km of the descent becomes much steeper, reaching -8.8% as the road follows a sweeping right-hand bend (9 Caution) - the road is wide enough for the bend to be taken at very high speed, but caution is required and with loose verges on both sides of the road the safest place to be is the centre. Unless it's raining, of course, in which case the white lines are going to be slippery.
Following the descent, as the road begins to bend gently to the left, the terrain flattens out considerably - there are a few small climbs, some steep, on the way around the reservoir but no more testing climbs to come for the next 3.5km. This, especially on the final lap, evens things up: any climbers that got away earlier can be caught (especially if they were one of the rare types that can descend, too) and it's a good opportunity for the teams to regroup and get their potential winners into position for the final assault on the finish line. At 15.9km, the reservoir comes back into view on the left; 400m later, with the reservoir once again hidden by trees, the riders come to a short but tough small climb of 0.2km with a maxiumum gradient of around 6% (white fences on both sides of the road mark the beginning and end). The short descent and flat 1km that follows is another point where climbers will have to work hard to maintain a lead.
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| Descent to the bridge, Carrick's Haugh (image: Trevor Littlewood CC-BY-SA 2.0) |
Final section
After completing three laps of the circuits, the riders will take a different route (marked in red on our map) to the finish line. Beginning at Carrick's Corner, they take the same route towards the dam but this time do not turn left to ride up onto it at 6.08km. Instead, they continue along the B6278 for 0.87km to the point where, earlier, they rejoined the B6278 following the descent down from the dam. Here they turn left, and the descent they tackled earlier, with its maximum gradient of 13%, becomes an ascent that is more than tough enough to shake up the order at the front of the race. The finish line is at the dam.
*Note: The lay-by only really has room for one or two cars. That means, of course, that there's space for about a hundred bikes - so if you're planning to see the race from that point, get there on your bike if you can so that other people will be able to do the same. The more the merrier - take a barbecue and some beers and have a party.
Start List
Not yet available
Getting There
Please note: Derwent Reservoir (County Durham/Northumberland) should not be confused with the reservoir of the same name in Derbyshire.
The parcours is best reached from the south via the A68, from the north via the A69, from the west via the A6079 and from the east via the A694, A692 or A693. Google Maps has an excellent application that can design routes suited to cars or bikes.
Staying There
The local inns offer accommodation, but this is very limited and likely to be booked up well in advance. There is a Youth Hostel at Edmundbyers and also Durham (37km), which as a popular tourist destination has several hotels. There is also a campsite (tents and caravans) at Edmundbyers (postcode DH8 9NN), but people planning to camp should be aware that the weather can be very bad in April.
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Women's Cycling News 08-15.12.2013
ASO discuss women's TdF with Le Tour Entier - Women's Tour sponsorship difficulties - Holland Hills moves finish - Good weekend for Compton - Boot Out Breast Cancer's new sponsor - New French superteam - Interesting Links - More to come...
Le Tour Entier and ASO discuss women's TdF
Le Tour Entier, which is campaigning for a women's Tour de France, has confirmed that it is in discussions with Tour organisers the Amaury Sport Organisation. Emma Pooley, one of the cyclists who set up the campaign, says that the ASO is "not ruling it out, a women's race of some kind."
Brian Cookson, who made his support a key part of his successful campaign to be elected UCI president, played a pivotal role in setting up the discussions.
Read more at The Guardian.
Women's Tour sponsorship difficulties
Organisers of the Women's Tour have told The Independent that despite huge public enthusiasm for the race, they're having difficulty in finding sponsors - depressing news when the race has already served to encourage a feeling of optimism among fans and riders.
SweetSpot, who are organising the race, have declined to publish a list of corporate sponsors who won't get involved but say they're usually told that the companies they approach "don't believe anyone is interested in women's sport." Why, then, the difficulty in securing backing?
Most companies, SweetSpot say, claim to love the concept of the race with only a small number making what director Guy Elliott calls "'stereotypical' adverse comments." The reason, then, is surely risk adversity - companies are simply not willing to get involved in something new, despite the likelihood of it being a success.
That they are wrong is evident - the women's road race at the Olympics drew a larger audience than anyone had predicted, and the women's events at televised track meets continue to do well despite often being broadcast on the Red Button digital channel. Companies that do get involved will reap the benefits - let's just hope that a sufficient number of them have the foresight to do so, so that the Women's Tour can become everything it has the potential to be.
Holland Hills moves finish
Organisers of the ever-evolving Boels Holland Hills Classic have announced that the finish line of the 2014 edition will be moved from Sittard (which hosted the start and finish in 2013) to Geulhemmerberg in Valkenburg. The hill, which climbs 58m in 1km at an average gradient of 5.8%, reaches 9% at its steepest point. Rgularly featured in the Amstel Gold Race, it is also famous for the cottages built into caves in the rockface running alongside the road.
Good weekend for Compton
Katie Compton enjoyed a fine weekend with Belgian cyclo cross victories on Saturday and Sunday. The first of the two was at the Soudal Scheldecross and the second at the Vlaamse Druivencross; she beat Sanne Cant and Nikki Harris into second and third place at both races.
Boot Out Breast Cancer takes on new sponsor
Sports clothing manufacturer Pearl Izumi have extended their support of women's cycling by signing a sponsorship deal with Sarah Storey's Boot Out Breast Cancer team, which will now be known as Pearl Izumi Boot Out Breast Cancer.
New French superteam
The Fédération Francaise de Cyclisme is seeking new backers for a cross-disciplinary superteam that has distinct similarities to Britain's Team Sky. The new team would include road race, cyclo cross, mountain biking and BMX riders to be based at the new St-Quentin en Yvelines national cycling centre near Paris and would include women's squads in addition to men's.
Interesting Links
Cycling World Cup: GB women smash own pursuit record – twice (Independent)
Anna Meares breaks own 500m world record at world cup event in Mexico (Guardian)
Moolman Pasio ends successful year (SuperSport)
Becky James wins Young Sportsperson of the Year award (Cycling Weekly)
More to come...
Saturday, 5 October 2013
Women's Cycling News 06-13.10.2013
Giro Toscana organisation makes official complaint - Tendring council wants Women's Tour, Northamptonshire gets Stage 1 - Tour du Languedoc-Roussillon 2014 - 2014 GB Nats for Abergavenny - Women's cycling supporter Karen Bliss takes top US Cycling role - Transfers and Team News: New Rytger team, Pasta Zara leaves cycling, Van Dijk leaving Lululemon and more - Shorts and Interesting Links - more to come...
Giro Toscana organisation makes official complaint
The organisers of the Giro Toscana have made an official complaint to Italian Cycling Federation (ACCPI) prosecutors regarding Italian riders who took part in a recent protest at the race. Several Italians, including ex-World Champion Giorgia Bronzini, Noemi Cantele and Elisa Longo Borghini, were among the majority of riders taking part in the event who decided not to contest the final stage in protest at the poor safety conditions they'd experienced in the race - a rolling roadblock was provided only for the lead group, leaving any riders not in that group racing in open traffic.
In a press release, the organisers said:
"The organisation is able to prove that a required level of safety - as stated by Dr Rita Paladino, commander of Traffic Police - was provided. As to whether the alleged problems are a matter of pure invention, we point to the findings of the UCI (which found no problems) and to the managers of the Cycling Federation (no problems reported). The race continued between those riders that remained without any problems and with a large deployment of security and officials along the parcours. The organising company, Michela Fanini ROX, believes that the reckless actions of certain riders has brought a huge amount of damage to its reputation and on an economic level. At this point, the Federal Prosecutors' Office has a duty to investigate and punish the riders responsible for the protest."
The ACCPI has not yet responded to the complaint, but had previously indicated that it fully supported the protest.
Local council wants Women's Tour
One of the problems faced by women's cycling, as we all know, is that you don't get districts clamouring for the privilege of hosting stages like you do in men's races. The reason is that a women's race just doesn't bring in the benefits of a men's race.
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| Tendring, within Essex |
"Staging part of this race will bring many thousands of people into Tendring out of the main holiday season and will be great for the local economy," Tendring's council member for tourism Alan Goggin told the East Anglian Daily Times newspaper. "I am really looking forward to a positive outcome to our bid and we have worked hard to get the event to the District. It will be the first Women’s Tour of Britain and the race is attracting a great deal of interest around the world and from media companies wanting to cover the event. I am proud to say that it could bring international coverage to Tendring, promoting sport, fitness and health and well-being right across the region, as well as showcasing all the very best of the District and the many features and attractions on offer."
SweetSpot, who are not permitted to call the race the Women's Tour of Britain as the name Tour of Britain is owned by British Cycling, has put an enormous amount of time and effort into the event and promises that prizes on offer will be equal to those at the men's Tour. Tendring's interest in hosting a stage is more proof that, if it's promoted properly, women's cycling can and will grow.
A stage in Tendring would be flat, with the highest point in the district just 35m above sea level. However, with numerous historic towns and villages and picturesque salt marshes in the area, it would be a fine backdrop to the race.
Northamptonshire gets Stage 1
Meanwhile, Northamptonshire County Council is delighted that the first stage will take place in the county.
"This is fantastic news for Northamptonshire and I am very pleased we will be hosting the first stage of this prestigious event," county councillor Heather Smith told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo. "Not only will The Women’s Tour bring significant economic benefits to the county, it is also a real opportunity to promote cycling and women’s sport locally. We want to use this event to encourage everyone in Northamptonshire, and in particular the county’s young people, to get cycling and improve their health and wellbeing."
Details of the stage route have not yet been announced, but race organisers SweetSpot have revealed that the finish will be in Northampton itself.
"The Women’s Tour promises to become an exciting fixture in the sporting calendar for years to come, so I am delighted Northampton will host part of this historic first stage," said Northampton borough council leader David Mackintosh. "Last year many of us were glued to our televisions watching all of the action in the Olympic Velodrome and road races at London 2012. I am sure the world’s best female cyclists will get a good reception as they race through our historic streets next year."
Tour du Languedoc-Roussillon 2014
The Tour du Languedoc-Roussillon was notably absent from the UCI Elite Women's Calendar published last week, which came as no real surprise after the difficulties of the last couple of years, but according to Gwena (whom you really should be following; she's the expert on women's cycling in France) organisers plan to hold the race in 2014.
"L'édition 2014 de l'épreuve n'est pas encore "visible" sur le calendrier UCI mais cela est simplement dû au fait que les organisateurs sont encore en attente de certaines subventions pour boucler l'édition 2013. En mai, la candidature 2014 a été déposée en catégorie 2.2 pour des dates allant du vendredi 23 au mercredi 28 mai 2014 soit juste avant le Grand Prix de Plumelec," she explains - "The 2014 edition is not yet visible on the UCI calendar, but this is simply because the organisers are still waiting for some grants to complete the 2013 edition. They have filed their application for a 2.2 event between the 23rd and 28th of May in 2014, just before the Grand Prix de Plumelec."
The race, if it goes ahead, looks like it might have a website for 2014 too - the lack of one, which has made it difficult for fans to follow the race, has been criticised in the past.
2014 GB Nats for Wales
The 2014 British National Championships will be held at Abergavenny in Wales from the 26th to the 29th of June, British Cycling has revealed. The town, which is 10km from the English border and is thus crucially easy to reach by road from the rest of Britain, also hosted the Championships in 2007 and 2009, when Nicole Cooke won (as she also did in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008). The parcours has not yet been made public; however, with two mountains (Blorens and Y Fâl) and seven big hills overlooking the town, it's likely to be a hilly route.
Bliss for women at US Cycling's Road Committee
Four-time National Points Race Champion, three-time National Criterium Champion and three-time Tour de Somerville winner Karen Bliss has been given a position as industry representative on US Cycling's Road Race Committee, a role she will hold for three years.
Bliss, who remained involved in cycling following her retirement from professional competition, is vice marketing president at Advanced Sports International, the company that owns - among others - the Kestrel, Fuji and Breezer bike brands, making her one of the most powerful figures in the bicycle manufacturing industry - and she's a passionate supporter of women's cycling.
"I look forward to working with committee members, the board and staff of USA Cycling to help grow the sport of cycling across the country," she says. "I am particularly focused on growing membership through investing in women’s cycling. There are extremely talented, passionate women racing — I want to see them afforded the same opportunities as those in the pro men’s ranks."
Transfers and Team News
Transfers at a glance
Pasta Zara, the Italian food company that has been involved in women's cycling for several years and sponsors a men's amateur team in addition to Pasta Zara-Cogeas, is ending its association with the sport according to reports. There is no mention of this on the websites belonging to the team or the company, but the team hasn't had a great year and it's rumoured that the riders haven't been properly paid for some time
The biggest story concerning transfers this week was the that Ellen van Dijk is leaving Specialized-Lululemon. Van Dijk, considered one of the best time trial specialists in the world, has been with the team for the last two years and prior to that rode for HTC-Highroad, the team that was taken over by new management to form Specialized-Lululemon. In a press conference on the 7th of October, she revealed that she had signed a three-year contract with Boels-Dolmans and hinted that the support the team would offer her going towards the 2016 Olympics was a deciding factor. Nina Kessler, Emma Trott, Jessie Daams, Lizzie Armitstead, Romy Kasper and Marieke van Wanroij are confirmed as having taken up extended contracts with Boels; Katarzyna Pawlokska, who won the Tour en Limousin this year for GSD Gestion-Kallisto, Megan Guarnier, previously with Rabobank, and 17-year-old Nicky Zijlaard (the niece of Leontien van Moorsel) will join the team. It's not know whether Pauliena Rooijakkers will remain.
Ellen van Dijk @ellenvdijkPerhaps unsurprisingly considering the "differing opinions" between herself and the team's manager over whether or not she should have continued in the Giro Toscana (he referred to her decision to do so as "unacceptable"), Rossella Ratto is leaving Hitec Products-UCK. The Italian will ride for Faren-Kuota in 2014. Meanwhile, in addition to Ashleigh Moolman and Lauren Kitchen (as reported some weeks ago,) Hitec will be taking on 2013 Tour de Bretagne winner Audrey Cordon (who has been with Vienne Futuroscope since 2008) and Sara Olsson.
Tomorrow at 4 pm there will be a press conference about my future and route to Rio 2016. Exciting!
Christine Majerus, previously with Sengers (see below); winner of Stage 2 at the Junior Energiewacht Tour Demi de Jong and Janneke Ensing, who was previously with Ronald McDonald Huis-Groningen Wielerploeg. Rabobank will also lose Liesbet de Vocht, who is going to Lotto-Belisol - the same team with which she began her professional career in 2006. Sara Verhaest and Lieselot Decroix are also joining, and the team is retaining Sabrina Stultiens, Iris Slappendel, Roxane Knetemann, Thalita de Jong, Pauline Ferrand Prevot, Lucinda Brand, Annemiek van Vleuten and of course Marianne Vos; it is not known if Rebecca Talen will remain with the squad.
Tibco are taking on four relatively unknown riders: Anika Todd (silver medallist in the Canadian National ITT Championships this year), Lauren Stephens (previously FCS), Scotti Wilborne and Kristabel Doebel-Hickok. They will join Samantha Schneider, Jasmin Glaesser, Amanda Miller, Claudia Haussler and Shelley Olds.
Sengers, sadly, are closing down at the end of the season; Anna van der Breggen was revealed some time ago to be going to Rabobank while Maaike Polspoel is going to Argos-Shimano, Sofie de Vuyst to Futurumshop.nl-Zannata and Geerike Schreurs to the People's Trust Cycling Team. The remaining riders are yet to reveal their new teams. In addition to de Vuyst, Futurumshop.nl-Zannata are taking on 18-year-old Evy Kuijpers and 19-year-old Kirsten Coppens (previously Dura-Vermeer). Laura van der Kamp is leaving to go to the People's Trust team. Argos-Shimano are losing Esra Tromp and Willeke Knol, both of whom have had a quiet season this year. Futurumshop are keeping Anouska Helena Koster, Mascha Pijnenborg, Janine van der Meer, Latoya Brulee, Karen Elzing and the two Annelieses, van Doorslaer and Dom.
Finally for this week, Elise Delzenne, who rode in 2013 with Bourgogne-ProDialog and won the French National Road Race Championships, is moving up into the Elite ranks with Specialized-Lululemon.
(With thanks to Cycling Fever for their excellent transfers table)
Shorts and Interesting Links
Recommended: The Women's UCI Road Calendar - How 2014 and 2013 Compare (Sarah Connolly at Podium Cafe)
Recommended: The gaping hole left by Amy Dombroski (Dan Seaton for VeloNews)
Trying to find cycling clothing as a curvy girl (prowomenscycling)
How Britain's trio of track cycling women inspired a generation (Daily Telegraph)
Lithuania's female youth shine on the road (Lithuania Tribune)
Seven out of seven for Momentum Toyota (SuperSport)
Dr Hutch: A Women's Tour de France (Cycling Weekly)
2014 Women's Gear Preview (Bicycling)
Indian women shine at ACC Track Asia (Indian Express)
Egypt: Women's Initiative Launches "We Will Ride Bicycles" Campaign (AllAfrica)
Women's GP back in Bendigo (Bendigo Advertiser)
Tweets
Dani King @DaniKing1Bloody good job it was my helmet to hit the road not my head! People walking across the road need to look where there going!
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Boels Rental Ladies Tour 2013
03-08.09.2013 Official Site
Netherlands, 6-stage Road Race, 611.3km
UCI 2.2
Inaugurated in 1998, this is a race that has been known by several names. Originally, it was the Holland Ladies Tour and remained so for the first 13 years, but a series of new sponsors has seen name changes every year since: in 2011 it was the Profile Ladies Tour, in 2012 the Brainwash Ladies Tour and now in 2013 it's the Boels Rental Ladies Tour.
Along with Lotto and Belisol (whose Belgium Tour took place late last month), Boels is a name that you'll see again and again in women's cycling: in addition to sponsoring a team (Boels-Dolmans), the DIY and plant machinery company has thrown its full weight into supporting the sport - in addition to the team and this race, it also sponsors the Boels Rental Hills Classic and the Ronde van Drenthe. Why? Well, they've obviously found that women's cycling offers sufficient returns to get approval from the bean counters, but it seems likely that some of the people at the top of the firm must be fans. So, if you happen to live near one of Boels' 300 outlets and find yourself needing to rent some DIY equipment or plant machinery, give them a call - and know that some of the money you pay them will go towards supporting and developing the sport you love.
The Ladies Tour has always been a very popular race that attracts the top riders in the world, as well as large numbers of fans. Oh - and make the most of this race. The end of the season is approaching fast.
Previous Winners
Elsbeth van Rooy-Vink, better known as a mountain biker won the first edition, then two more Dutch riders - Leontien van Moorsel and Mirjam Melchers - won in 1999 and 2000. There would be no further Dutch victories until 2009, when Marianne Vos won; she has won it every year since. However, despite having been favourite this year, she has decided to miss the race after receiving treatment for chronic back pain so that she'll have ideal form to defend her World Champion title later in the month.
1998 Elsbeth Vink
1999 Leontien van Moorsel
2000 Mirjam Melchers
2001 Petra Rossner
2002 Debby Mansveld
2003 Susanne Ljungskog
2004 Mirjam Melchers
2005 Tanja Schmidt-Hennes
2006 Susanne Ljungskog
2007 Kristin Armstrong
2008 Charlotte Becker
2009 Marianne Vos
2010 Marianne Vos
2011 Marianne Vos
2012 Marianne Vos
Parcours
Stage 1 (03.09.2013; Roden-Roden, 109.9km)
View Boels Ladies Tour 2013 Stage 1 in a larger map
At first glance, Stage 1 looks as though it was designed to give the riders a nice and easy start so they could gradually get into the competitive spirit. If you've followed professional cycling for any length of time, you'll know that sort of thing never happens - look more closely at the parcours and, while there are no big climbs (hey, this is the Netherlands), there are several harsh cobbled sections that hurt everyone (and can end your race if you crash, which is all too easy to do on cobbles). Being located along narrow sections of road, these cobbled sections encourage breakaways because riders riding solo or in small groups stay clear of congestion and the majority of crashes (and have more room to avoid any that might take place in the break) whereas those trailing in the main group can topple like dominoes at any moment. So, expect a tough day of very technical racing.
The toughest section of all is the short Kampweg/Kerkpad/Brink stretch in Norg. Though less than 0.4km in length, the first 150m is extremely narrow and extremely rough. The section is ridden three times but, as there are still 22km to be raced after the final visit, it's unlikely to prove decisive; however, it's sufficiently technical, especially in the wet, that a few riders may find their race ends here.
Stage 2 (04.09.2013; Coevorden-Coevorden, 32.2km Team Time Trial)
View Boels Rental Ladies Tour 2013 Stage 2 in a larger map
The start of Stage 2 is going to feel distinctly familiar to some of the riders - they set off from the marketplace in Coevorden, just as they did back in March at the Novilon Euregio Cup. Then, they had 141km and an ascent of the VAMberg, a turfed-over rubbish dump with a maximum gradient of 16%, ahead of them; today, they'll only cover 32.2km and there are no hills to speak of (the bridge over the Stieltjeskanaal is the most challenging of the very small climbs along the way), but because it's a team time trial they'll be riding at full speed all the way.
The main issue along the parcours is the narrowness of some of the roads: while it'll be easier to negotiate them as individual teams rather than as a peloton, some stretches offer space sufficiently limited as to lead to difficulties when riders try to swap position at the front, and those who have spent the most time practicing their change-overs will benefit from this. Otherwise, Stage 2 ought to be a classic example of a team time trial, where the best tactic is quite simply to go as fast as possible.
Stage 3 (05.09.2013; Leerdam-Leerdam, 121.3km)
View Boels Rental Ladies Tour 2013 Stage 3 in a larger map
With its flat terrain (the greatest deviation between two points anywhere along the route is less than 10m) and lack of tight corners, Stage 3 looks easy enough at first glance. However, the nature of the competition will be decided by the wind: if it's a still day, expect a fast race with the peloton sailing through at high speed preventing breaks as slower riders drop off the back; if it's windy, expect the peloton to be broken up into numerous sub-groups with the stronger riders battling the weather and one another at the front and the rest battling for survival at varying distances back along the road.
One feature that might prove to have a major effect on the outcome is the railway crossings and swingbridges - the UCI rules state that, should a break reach such an obstruction and be held up, they will be given a time advantage equal to the advantage they had before stopping; however, if the break gets through and the peloton is held up, the time that the riders in the peloton have to wait will be added to their overall times. This can make the difference between a break succeeding or failing, and has led in the past to unexpected victories.
Stage 4 (06.09.2013; Papendrecht-Papendrecht, 116km)
View Boels Rental Ladies Tour 2013 Stage 4 in a larger map
Once again, the wind may be a deciding factor today - especially on the long, straight Tolsteeg-Wijngardsesteeg-Wijngardseweg and Abbekesdoel-Oosteinde-Noordzeijde-Dorpstraat-Westeinde sections, where powerful cross- or headwinds would permit a squad of evenly-matched riders to mount a team time trial-style assault on their rivals by working closely together and maintaining the maxium speed possible, thus gaining a big advantage over weaker teams.
It's another very flat stage: the highest point along the parcours, roughly halfway through the neutral zone, is just 4.8m above sea level; the lowest is 5.1, below sea level and comes around 9km later - there are many little dips and ramps all the way to the finish, but none of them are big enough to play a part in determining the stage winner.
Stage 5 (07.09.2013; Zaltbommel-Veen, 120.2km)
View Boels Rental Ladies Tour 2013 Stage 5 in a larger map
Marianne Vos, as already mentioned, isn't taking part in the Tour this year so that she can give her back a chance to recover fully in time for the World Championships - but there's a good chance she'll put in an appearance at some point today, because the route passes within a kilometre of her home village Meeuwen. Some of the roads featured in the second and third parts of the stage (one 52.2km loop and four 11.4km laps) will be familiar to the riders and fans from May's Omloop vanAalburg - in fact, the 11.4km circuit is identical to the finishing circuit that was completed three times in the Omloop.
As was the case in the Omloop (and the Rabobank 7-Dorpenomloop van Aalburg, which also takes place in the area), wind can be a deciding factor in this race - the terrain is pancake flat, permitting the wind to howl in from the North Sea, and there are few hedges or trees to impede it.
Being so flat and with a long, straight run to the finish, it seems highly likely that the race will finish with a bunch sprint today. How many riders are in that sprint - a few, or all of them - depends on what happens on the long sections on very narrow roads, especially during the 52.2km circuit: the combined length of the four final laps is 45.6km, offering plenty of time for riders who got stuck near the back on the narrow stretches earlier on to get to the front of the peloton, but some of those stretches are so narrow that a small, strong break could potentially flee the pack at a point where it's impossible for chasers to get up to the front and begin pursuit. If so, the peloton will need to make sure it brings them back before it's too late.
Stage 6 (07.09.2013; Bunde-Berg Terblijt, 111.7km)
View Boels Ladies Tour 2013 Stage 6 in a larger map
Boels may be the main sponsor of this race, but team-sponsoring partner Dolmans Landscaping are involved too - and Stage 6 starts right outside their premises on Pasweg in Bunde. In this stage, the race changes character completely - the pancake-flat polders where the sprinters had it all their own way are no more now that the Tour enters Limburg, home to the highest hills in the Netherlands which, though not very high, are sometimes sufficiently steep to make things difficult for all but the pure climbers. It doesn't matter what the General Classification looks like at the start line, because it could be very, very different by the finish.
The two most daunting are the chalky hill known as Bemelerberg, usually seen from the Krekelenberg during the Amstel Gold Race, and the infamous Cauberg. Starting just as the race arrives at Bemelen, Bemelerberg climbs 39m in 1.26km; the average gradient is therefore 3%, but the maximum of 6% is enough for the pure sprinters to drop behind. Cauberg is something else entirely: its average gradient is 5.8% and its maximum 12%, sufficient to decide races - including the 2012 World Championships, which took place in this region. It's likely that it'll have some effect on the outcome of this race, too, because the riders will be going up it twice in the final 25km - once at 87.5km and then again at 107.4km. Bemelerberg is climbed early in the race at 6.9km, then again at 100.9km. There are numerous smaller climbs, some with similarly steep sections, along the way.
Start List
Netherlands, 6-stage Road Race, 611.3km
UCI 2.2
Inaugurated in 1998, this is a race that has been known by several names. Originally, it was the Holland Ladies Tour and remained so for the first 13 years, but a series of new sponsors has seen name changes every year since: in 2011 it was the Profile Ladies Tour, in 2012 the Brainwash Ladies Tour and now in 2013 it's the Boels Rental Ladies Tour.
Along with Lotto and Belisol (whose Belgium Tour took place late last month), Boels is a name that you'll see again and again in women's cycling: in addition to sponsoring a team (Boels-Dolmans), the DIY and plant machinery company has thrown its full weight into supporting the sport - in addition to the team and this race, it also sponsors the Boels Rental Hills Classic and the Ronde van Drenthe. Why? Well, they've obviously found that women's cycling offers sufficient returns to get approval from the bean counters, but it seems likely that some of the people at the top of the firm must be fans. So, if you happen to live near one of Boels' 300 outlets and find yourself needing to rent some DIY equipment or plant machinery, give them a call - and know that some of the money you pay them will go towards supporting and developing the sport you love.
The Ladies Tour has always been a very popular race that attracts the top riders in the world, as well as large numbers of fans. Oh - and make the most of this race. The end of the season is approaching fast.
Previous Winners
Elsbeth van Rooy-Vink, better known as a mountain biker won the first edition, then two more Dutch riders - Leontien van Moorsel and Mirjam Melchers - won in 1999 and 2000. There would be no further Dutch victories until 2009, when Marianne Vos won; she has won it every year since. However, despite having been favourite this year, she has decided to miss the race after receiving treatment for chronic back pain so that she'll have ideal form to defend her World Champion title later in the month.
1998 Elsbeth Vink
1999 Leontien van Moorsel
2000 Mirjam Melchers
2001 Petra Rossner
2002 Debby Mansveld
2003 Susanne Ljungskog
2004 Mirjam Melchers
2005 Tanja Schmidt-Hennes
2006 Susanne Ljungskog
2007 Kristin Armstrong
2008 Charlotte Becker
2009 Marianne Vos
2010 Marianne Vos
2011 Marianne Vos
2012 Marianne Vos
Parcours
Stage 1 (03.09.2013; Roden-Roden, 109.9km)
View Boels Ladies Tour 2013 Stage 1 in a larger map
The toughest section of all is the short Kampweg/Kerkpad/Brink stretch in Norg. Though less than 0.4km in length, the first 150m is extremely narrow and extremely rough. The section is ridden three times but, as there are still 22km to be raced after the final visit, it's unlikely to prove decisive; however, it's sufficiently technical, especially in the wet, that a few riders may find their race ends here.
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| Yes, a major, international bike race will be held on this narrow path! |
Stage 2 (04.09.2013; Coevorden-Coevorden, 32.2km Team Time Trial)
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The start of Stage 2 is going to feel distinctly familiar to some of the riders - they set off from the marketplace in Coevorden, just as they did back in March at the Novilon Euregio Cup. Then, they had 141km and an ascent of the VAMberg, a turfed-over rubbish dump with a maximum gradient of 16%, ahead of them; today, they'll only cover 32.2km and there are no hills to speak of (the bridge over the Stieltjeskanaal is the most challenging of the very small climbs along the way), but because it's a team time trial they'll be riding at full speed all the way.
The main issue along the parcours is the narrowness of some of the roads: while it'll be easier to negotiate them as individual teams rather than as a peloton, some stretches offer space sufficiently limited as to lead to difficulties when riders try to swap position at the front, and those who have spent the most time practicing their change-overs will benefit from this. Otherwise, Stage 2 ought to be a classic example of a team time trial, where the best tactic is quite simply to go as fast as possible.
Stage 3 (05.09.2013; Leerdam-Leerdam, 121.3km)
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With its flat terrain (the greatest deviation between two points anywhere along the route is less than 10m) and lack of tight corners, Stage 3 looks easy enough at first glance. However, the nature of the competition will be decided by the wind: if it's a still day, expect a fast race with the peloton sailing through at high speed preventing breaks as slower riders drop off the back; if it's windy, expect the peloton to be broken up into numerous sub-groups with the stronger riders battling the weather and one another at the front and the rest battling for survival at varying distances back along the road.One feature that might prove to have a major effect on the outcome is the railway crossings and swingbridges - the UCI rules state that, should a break reach such an obstruction and be held up, they will be given a time advantage equal to the advantage they had before stopping; however, if the break gets through and the peloton is held up, the time that the riders in the peloton have to wait will be added to their overall times. This can make the difference between a break succeeding or failing, and has led in the past to unexpected victories.
Stage 4 (06.09.2013; Papendrecht-Papendrecht, 116km)
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It's another very flat stage: the highest point along the parcours, roughly halfway through the neutral zone, is just 4.8m above sea level; the lowest is 5.1, below sea level and comes around 9km later - there are many little dips and ramps all the way to the finish, but none of them are big enough to play a part in determining the stage winner.
Stage 5 (07.09.2013; Zaltbommel-Veen, 120.2km)
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As was the case in the Omloop (and the Rabobank 7-Dorpenomloop van Aalburg, which also takes place in the area), wind can be a deciding factor in this race - the terrain is pancake flat, permitting the wind to howl in from the North Sea, and there are few hedges or trees to impede it.
Being so flat and with a long, straight run to the finish, it seems highly likely that the race will finish with a bunch sprint today. How many riders are in that sprint - a few, or all of them - depends on what happens on the long sections on very narrow roads, especially during the 52.2km circuit: the combined length of the four final laps is 45.6km, offering plenty of time for riders who got stuck near the back on the narrow stretches earlier on to get to the front of the peloton, but some of those stretches are so narrow that a small, strong break could potentially flee the pack at a point where it's impossible for chasers to get up to the front and begin pursuit. If so, the peloton will need to make sure it brings them back before it's too late.
Stage 6 (07.09.2013; Bunde-Berg Terblijt, 111.7km)
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The two most daunting are the chalky hill known as Bemelerberg, usually seen from the Krekelenberg during the Amstel Gold Race, and the infamous Cauberg. Starting just as the race arrives at Bemelen, Bemelerberg climbs 39m in 1.26km; the average gradient is therefore 3%, but the maximum of 6% is enough for the pure sprinters to drop behind. Cauberg is something else entirely: its average gradient is 5.8% and its maximum 12%, sufficient to decide races - including the 2012 World Championships, which took place in this region. It's likely that it'll have some effect on the outcome of this race, too, because the riders will be going up it twice in the final 25km - once at 87.5km and then again at 107.4km. Bemelerberg is climbed early in the race at 6.9km, then again at 100.9km. There are numerous smaller climbs, some with similarly steep sections, along the way.
Start List
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Tour de l'Ardeche 2013
02-07.09.2013 Official Site
France, 6-stage (+Prologue) Road Race, 507.5km
UCI 2.2
The UCI - well, Pat McQuaid at any rate, it'd be unfair to tar them all with the same brush - says that women's cycling "isn't developed enough" to warrant the kind of financial investment enjoyed by men's cycling, which is why so many women's races operate on budgets so low that the term "shoestring" doesn't even begin to describe the situation. It's really no wonder that mistakes are sometimes made (the peloton being given wrong directions during a race is virtually unheard of in men's cycling, but it happens all too often in women's race), nor that so many organising committees become disillusioned and throw in the towel, canceling their race, after a few years of fighting for every Euro and signed-up rider they can get.
The Tour Cycliste Feminin International de l'Ardeche, though, is backed by a number of impressive organisations including the Conseil Generale of the Ardeche region, Credit Mutuel, La Tribune and others; as a result, it's exceptionally well organised, offers prizes that are actually worth winning and takes place on a superbly-planned parcours - and this year, it received applications to race from no fewer than 29 teams. That's so many that, for what may be the first time in the history of women's cycling, organisers actually had to turn some of them down. So it just goes to show that Pat missed the point, and that if you build it they will come. Let's hope his soon-to-be successor Brian Cookson has a little more sense.
Of course, it helps if your race takes place among beautiful, dramatic scenery; after all, fans are more likely to want to make the effort to go and see an event that takes place in a location where they can combine following the racing with having a holiday, and it's promoting their products and services to large numbers fans that gets a company interested in sponsoring a race in the first place. The Tour de l'Ardeche has got that one sewn up, because the Ardeche - and the rest of the Rhone-Alpes region - is widely acknowledged as one of the most spectacular areas of natural beauty anywhere in Europe and offers something for everyone - dramatic chateaux, mountains, forests, medieval villages and, perhaps most famously, the deep gorges.
Previous Winners
2003 Edita Pučinskaitė
2004 Élisabeth Chevanne-Brunel
2005 Edita Pučinskaitė
2006 Edita Pučinskaitė
2007 Maria Isabel Moreno Allue
2008 Amber Neben
2009 Kristin Armstrong
2010 Vicki Whitelaw
2011 Emma Pooley
2012 Emma Pooley
Parcours
All stage maps are the official race maps as published at OpenRunner. Links to the originals are here.
Prologue (02.09.2013; Vallon Pont d’Arc - Vallon Pont d’Arc, 2.4km)
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A classic example of its type, the Prologue takes place on a 2.5km circuit that has nothing in the way of hills and a fine selection of long straight sections and tight corners to put the riders' strength and skill to the test. Although most of the route is flat, there is a descent with a maximum gradient of -7% between 1.2km and 1.4km - perhaps just enough to worry the climbers, who lack the weight to be able to maintain effective control over their bikes when traveling fast downhill, and hand a small advantage to the rest.
Vallon Pont d'Arc, which takes its name from the Pont d'Arc, an entirely natural bridge spanning the Ardeche river, has been inhabited by humans for 31,000 years according to radiocarbon dating of the Palaeolithic cave paintings found nearby. Every summer, it sees its population increase ten-fold due to an influx of tourists from around the world, drawn here because of the town's status as the gateway to the Ardeche gorge; if you plan to visit the race, be prepared therefore to pay stiff prices for accommodation.
Stage 1 (03.09.2013; Rochegude - Beauchastel, 120.9km)
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Stage 1 takes the race straight into the mountains - following a short descent right after the start followed by a flattish 10km, the terrain begins to head up and doesn't stop until it reaches 614m above sea level on the Col de Vesc, 58.2km from the start.
Though that's a considerable climb in anyone's book, it's one on which an all-rounder with leanings toward pure climber status could beat any climbers who are holding out and saving strength for the mountains to come in later stages; it is, therefore, unlikely to permit anyone to gain an unassailable advantage at such an early stage, and even if a climber does go for it and reaches the summit with a good gap between herself and the pack, there are two very steep sections (58.1km to 61.5km and 81km to 86.7km) where their diminutive size will give them problems maintaining control over their bikes that the heavier riders do not experience. However, with bonification seconds on offer at the intermediate sprint 8.7km after the summit, the first riders to reach the top have an incentive to descend at speed.
From 108.7km to the finish, the parcours is rolling and then flattens out, meaning that if the peloton reconvened on the way down from the mountain the stage could end with a bunch sprint. There are three intermediate sprints along the parcours, located at Grignan (29.8km), Bourdeaux (66.9km) and Allex (101.7km). GPM points are awarded once, at the summit of the Col (58.2km).
Rochegude and Beauchastel are considerably less touristy than Vallon Pont d'Arc and will be more attractive to some potential visitors for that reason. Beauchastel, where a medieval village still exists squeezed into the gaps between and underneath more modern buildings, is especially worth a visit.
Stage 2 (04.09.2013, Vals Les Bains - Vals Les Bains, 3.5km TT)
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Another time trial and, like the Prologue, short at just 3.5km. The similarities stop there, however, because while the Prologue was flat this stage has a climb that, though it gains only 57m, does so in 0.8km; the majority of the climb is around 10% gradient, while one section between 0.3km and 0.4km from the start is even steeper. Some climbers perform well in time trials, too, and although there's a section that hits around -8% from 1.1km to 1.3km, this is likely to be a stage for riders of that type. With the last 1.1km being much flatter, they'll need to work hard to keep the TT specialists from victory though.
Vals Les Bains is famous for its spa, in operation since the 17th Century and with the full quota of health benefits traditionally attached to naturally hot mineral water (some of them genuine). If you visit the town, be sure to sample the excellent products of the Bourganel brewery. Not too far away (40km, worthwhile if you're in the area) stands the little village Sainte-Eulalie, home to around 230 people. In the village is an old farmhouse, where a pipe poking out of a wall inside the building pours water constantly into a stone trough. The water overflows and trickles away out of the house and down the hill, where it is joined by other trickles until it becomes a stream and, eventually, a river - the Loire, the longest in France and the 17th longest in Europe.
Stage 3 (04.09.2013; Vals Les Bains - Le Teil, 77.4km)
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Stage 3 takes place in the afternoon following the Stage 2 time trial - and if a rider able to time trial as well as climb did manage to get the upper hand in the morning, they might just possibly be able to turn it into the sort of advantage that would put them in a good position to start aiming at the overall General Classification. The reason is the mountains - there are five climbs along this parcours and two of them are biggies, rising to more than 800m above sea level, and with GPM points at three summits it's certainly a good day to start fighting a King of the Mountains campaign.
The terrain begins to gain height right from the start line with 171m gained in the first 3.9km; the first 1.9km of that at gradients greater than 7% before the remainder becomes less steep. There's a short descent from 4km to 6km, then the road heads skyward again and climbs 251m over the next 6.7km, at a gentler average gradient (with only a very short section of 7%) on the way. A flatter section lies between 12.9km and 16.5km, then it's uphill again for the next 5.8km (much of it 7%) to the stage's highest point the Col de Sarasset, 22.3km from the start and 848m above sea level. The climbers are obviously going to be near the front at this point, but there's a long descent on the way to even things up - the road is downhill all the way for 14.6km from the summit, mostly at less than -5% but in a few parts nearer -7% and for a short section at -10%. The climb is likely to be too far from the finish to prove decisive, especially as the 14.7km descent (with sections at nearly -10%) will once again undo the climbers' hard work on the way up.
From 37km, the second big climb begins. This one, the Col du Benas, is 11.7km in length and nears 7% for a 3km section from 43km; the summit is around 806m and marks 48km from the start. This time the climbers might have opportunity to take control of the race, because the ascent is sufficiently long and difficult to give them an advantage going up but the descent, which doesn't get much steeper than 5% at any point, is relatively easy and will let them remain at the front. From 59.9km there's one final climb of 3km to the top of the Col du Bois de Val, gaining 170m; it's steep enough (7% over the first half) for the climbers to increase their advantage further, something they might opt to try to do because the last 14.5km of the stage is downhill all the way, including a very steep section with gradients as high as -10% from 65.8km to to 68km.
There are two ways to win a stage like this one. The first is to select the right breakaway group, then ride with it into the last few kilometres before putting your bike-handling skills to the test as you try to be the fastest on the last descent. The second option doesn't always work, but delivers the most impressive victories when it does - the glorious solo break, achieved when a climber leaves the pack behind on an ascent and stays away to the end of the stage. There are two intermediate sprints, located at Les Mines (37.2km) and Les Aligiers (49.7km). GPM points will be awarded at each of the three summits, Col de Sarasset (20.7km), Col du Benas (48km) and the Col du Bois de Val (62.6km).
Le Teil, like Vallon Pont d'Arc, promotes itself as the gateway to the Ardeche; accommodation in the area will not be cheap at this time of year as a result
Stage 4 (05.09.2013; Le Pouzin - Cruas, 110.6km)
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The first 11km of Stage 4 are flat which, if the team leaders permit them to do so, gives the domestiques a brief window of opportunity to attempt to form a breakaway group and arrive at the first intermediate sprint, which lies at the foot of the first climb, ahead of the pack. That means they get bonification seconds, slightly improving their General Classification seconds, and they and their jerseys - get noticed and photographed, and the all-important team sponsors are happy, hopefully enough to commit to another year backing the team in 2014. Whether or not they get permission depends on how the top end of the GC is looking: if several overall victory contenders have similar times, they might want the sprint for themselves; but if one such rider has a small lead she might send two or three of her domestiques to try to disrupt her rivals' attempts to take a few seconds from her.
From 11km, the road starts to climb and it'll gain nearly 600m over the next 29.5km with the first GPM at the Col du Meran (19.8km). With no big descents (though there are a couple of short, steep ones) for the next 22.4km, the ball is in the climbers' court once more. At 52.8km, the Col de Comberon gains 183m in 4.2km, the majority of it at around 7% - more opportunity for the climbers, with the GPM points at 57km. With the next 17km losing 600m and the last climb, Col du Tribes (which gains 380m in 14.7km), not hard enough to guarantee them control, they'll need to grab any advantage they can in preparation for another long descent to the finish.
Stage 4 has plenty of added extras with the full quota of three intermediate sprints, three GPM climbs and, for good measure, a prime. The sprints are at St Laurent de Pape (10.1km), Les Ollieres (70.5km) and Le Pouzin (96.9km); the GPMs are at Col du Meran (19.8km), Col de Comberon (57km) and Col du Tribes (82.4km). The prime is at 49.3km.
Le Pouzin is a town with many interesting ancient buildings, including a 2nd Century Roman bridge still in use today. Cruas also has some splendid old buildings, including a castle, which contrast sharply with its nuclear power station.
Stage 5 (06.09.2013; Saint Sauveur de Montagut - Villeneuve de Berg, 117.7km)
View the interactive map here.
With a twitchy parcours that turns this way and that, switching back on itself as it follows the numerous hairpins carrying it through the mountains, there's precious little on offer today for anyone other than the climbers - the start line is 240m above sea level and the road heads upwards immediately, reaching 696m in just 8.9km to arrive at the first intermediate sprint at Le Chier. That's an average gradient of nearly 8%, but the 1.1km section beginning 0.9km from the start gains 161m - which makes it 14.6%. The descent over the next 9km is too gentle to cause problems, then from 18km to 25.1km the route climbs another 342m to the 875m summit of the Col de la Fayolle - average gradient 4.8%, but with a 2km section at 6.3% halfway along.
The descent has a couple of short sections nearing -7% but for the majority of the time stays below -5%; it's also punctuated by a small climb of about 100m between 33km and 35.5km which, although only 4%, will help the climbers to prevent fast descenders taking too much time away from them. From 42.9km the parcours climbs again; this time gaining 200m in 3.2km to reach 639m on the Col de Juvinas; the average gradient is 6.2%, the maximum a more challenging 9%. A short descent no steeper than -7% follows, then the riders climb to 703m, using a route that isn't especially steep before another descent drops 372m in 12.5km - again, the gentle gradient and small climb along the way prevent the climbers from suffering too much damage.
From 64.9km the stage reaches its final climb, the Col de la Croix de Millet , rising 438m by 77.1km. That gives an average gradient of 3.6%, but averages don't always give an accurate indication of how difficult a climb actually is and in this case there's a 1.8km section at 6% followed by 0.9km section at 10.2%, starting from 73km. Finally, once past the summit at 77km, the other riders have a chance to catch up with the climbers - the descent loses 700m in 14.3km with sections at around -10%. A couple of little hills between 91km and 107km aren't enough to let the climbers win back significant time, then the parcours climbs at no more than 5% to the finish line.
Like Stage 4, Stage 5 is packed with three intermediate sprints, three GPMs and a prime. The sprints are located at Le Chier (9.4km), Belvedere Jaujac (68km) and St Germain (110.8km). The GPMs are the Col de la Fayolle (24.5km), Col de Juvinas (52.6km) and the Col de la Croix de Millet (77.1km). The prime is at 100km.
Stage 6 (07.09.2013; St Just d’Ardèche - St Marcel d’Ardèche, 74.9km)
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Stage 6, the last of this year's race, has some climbs but they're not especially difficult when compared to those that were faced in earlier stages - though a few steep sections could still lead to changes in the General Classification.
The first 6km start off with a small descent before heading through rolling terrain (with the first intermediate sprint just 4.3km from the start, expect high speeds right from the off) before a short 5% gradient climb of around 50m leads to 7km. The next 3km are flat, then the 3km after that climbs more steeply to gain 144m by the summit of the Cote de la Madeleine - the average gradient here is 4.8%, but a section starting at 11.8km and lasting for 1.2km reaches 7% in places. Once over the top, the riders begin a reasonably unchallenging 15.1km section with only a couple of very small hillocks to prevent it being downhill all the way.
At 32.9km the day's biggest climb, Col de la St Baume begins. Over the next 12.8km, the riders will gain 328m, which gives an average gradient over the entire climb of a mere 2.5%; however, 163 of those metres are gained in one 1.9km section starting at 35.1km, with the GPM points awarded at 37.5km; the average gradient over this smaller section is 8.5% - though the first half of it is even steeper. The remaining 8.9km to the summit (45.7km from the start) is mercifully far less steep and at no point tops 5%. Another small climb following a short descent just after the summit is no steeper, then the parcours heads gently downhill for 18.2km with only one 0.8km section from 62.1km nearing -7% to trouble the climbers. From 70.8km the riders climb again, gently at first and then at 5% on the final 0.8km to the finish.
The intermediate sprints are located at St Martin d'Ard (4.3km), St Montant (33.6km) and Cave de St Remeze (48.7km). The GPMs are the Cote de la Madeleine (13.1km) and the Col de la St Baume (37.5km).
St Just d’Ardèche is an attractive town with several buildings of interest, but its cultural highlight is the museum devoted to Dada.
Teams and Starters
Team rosters to be confirmed; team list is provisional. Check Women Cycling Fever for regular updates.
National Teams
Australia
Colombia
Germany
Lithuania
Norway
Poland
Russia
Sweden
Switzerland
USA
Trade Teams
BePink
Bigla
Boretti Ulysses
Breast Cancer Care
Chirio Forno d’Asolo
CTC
Faren-Let’s Go Finland
GSD Gestion-Kallisto Specialized
Lointek
Lotto-Belisol
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Racing Students
RusVelo
Servetto Footon
Top Girls-Fassa Bortolo
Vienne Futuroscope
Wiggle-Honda
How to follow the race
The Tour organisers realise better than most that an informative website is essential to any race in this day and age; the official site is therefore well-maintained and regularly updated. Results can be found here.
Ardeche is perhaps a little too far from Britain for the majority of fans to make the trip by bike, but the region is well-connected by road to the rest of France - making the trip via ferry/Eurotunnel and car (or SNCF, though considering France's long love affair with the bike, traveling with one on French trains is not always straightforward) would be a simple process. As a tourist centre, Ardeche also has good air links - a brief search online found flights to Grenoble (leaving 90km to be ridden to get to the race) from as little as £50.
France, 6-stage (+Prologue) Road Race, 507.5km
UCI 2.2
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| 2011/2012 winner Emma Pooley on the Tour poster |
The Tour Cycliste Feminin International de l'Ardeche, though, is backed by a number of impressive organisations including the Conseil Generale of the Ardeche region, Credit Mutuel, La Tribune and others; as a result, it's exceptionally well organised, offers prizes that are actually worth winning and takes place on a superbly-planned parcours - and this year, it received applications to race from no fewer than 29 teams. That's so many that, for what may be the first time in the history of women's cycling, organisers actually had to turn some of them down. So it just goes to show that Pat missed the point, and that if you build it they will come. Let's hope his soon-to-be successor Brian Cookson has a little more sense.
Of course, it helps if your race takes place among beautiful, dramatic scenery; after all, fans are more likely to want to make the effort to go and see an event that takes place in a location where they can combine following the racing with having a holiday, and it's promoting their products and services to large numbers fans that gets a company interested in sponsoring a race in the first place. The Tour de l'Ardeche has got that one sewn up, because the Ardeche - and the rest of the Rhone-Alpes region - is widely acknowledged as one of the most spectacular areas of natural beauty anywhere in Europe and offers something for everyone - dramatic chateaux, mountains, forests, medieval villages and, perhaps most famously, the deep gorges.
Previous Winners
2003 Edita Pučinskaitė
2004 Élisabeth Chevanne-Brunel
2005 Edita Pučinskaitė
2006 Edita Pučinskaitė
2007 Maria Isabel Moreno Allue
2008 Amber Neben
2009 Kristin Armstrong
2010 Vicki Whitelaw
2011 Emma Pooley
2012 Emma Pooley
Parcours
All stage maps are the official race maps as published at OpenRunner. Links to the originals are here.
Prologue (02.09.2013; Vallon Pont d’Arc - Vallon Pont d’Arc, 2.4km)
View Tour de l'Ardeche 2013 Prologue in a larger map
A classic example of its type, the Prologue takes place on a 2.5km circuit that has nothing in the way of hills and a fine selection of long straight sections and tight corners to put the riders' strength and skill to the test. Although most of the route is flat, there is a descent with a maximum gradient of -7% between 1.2km and 1.4km - perhaps just enough to worry the climbers, who lack the weight to be able to maintain effective control over their bikes when traveling fast downhill, and hand a small advantage to the rest.
Vallon Pont d'Arc, which takes its name from the Pont d'Arc, an entirely natural bridge spanning the Ardeche river, has been inhabited by humans for 31,000 years according to radiocarbon dating of the Palaeolithic cave paintings found nearby. Every summer, it sees its population increase ten-fold due to an influx of tourists from around the world, drawn here because of the town's status as the gateway to the Ardeche gorge; if you plan to visit the race, be prepared therefore to pay stiff prices for accommodation.
Stage 1 (03.09.2013; Rochegude - Beauchastel, 120.9km)
View Tour de l'Ardeche 2013 Stage 1 in a larger map
Stage 1 takes the race straight into the mountains - following a short descent right after the start followed by a flattish 10km, the terrain begins to head up and doesn't stop until it reaches 614m above sea level on the Col de Vesc, 58.2km from the start.
Though that's a considerable climb in anyone's book, it's one on which an all-rounder with leanings toward pure climber status could beat any climbers who are holding out and saving strength for the mountains to come in later stages; it is, therefore, unlikely to permit anyone to gain an unassailable advantage at such an early stage, and even if a climber does go for it and reaches the summit with a good gap between herself and the pack, there are two very steep sections (58.1km to 61.5km and 81km to 86.7km) where their diminutive size will give them problems maintaining control over their bikes that the heavier riders do not experience. However, with bonification seconds on offer at the intermediate sprint 8.7km after the summit, the first riders to reach the top have an incentive to descend at speed.
From 108.7km to the finish, the parcours is rolling and then flattens out, meaning that if the peloton reconvened on the way down from the mountain the stage could end with a bunch sprint. There are three intermediate sprints along the parcours, located at Grignan (29.8km), Bourdeaux (66.9km) and Allex (101.7km). GPM points are awarded once, at the summit of the Col (58.2km).
Rochegude and Beauchastel are considerably less touristy than Vallon Pont d'Arc and will be more attractive to some potential visitors for that reason. Beauchastel, where a medieval village still exists squeezed into the gaps between and underneath more modern buildings, is especially worth a visit.
Stage 2 (04.09.2013, Vals Les Bains - Vals Les Bains, 3.5km TT)
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Another time trial and, like the Prologue, short at just 3.5km. The similarities stop there, however, because while the Prologue was flat this stage has a climb that, though it gains only 57m, does so in 0.8km; the majority of the climb is around 10% gradient, while one section between 0.3km and 0.4km from the start is even steeper. Some climbers perform well in time trials, too, and although there's a section that hits around -8% from 1.1km to 1.3km, this is likely to be a stage for riders of that type. With the last 1.1km being much flatter, they'll need to work hard to keep the TT specialists from victory though.
Vals Les Bains is famous for its spa, in operation since the 17th Century and with the full quota of health benefits traditionally attached to naturally hot mineral water (some of them genuine). If you visit the town, be sure to sample the excellent products of the Bourganel brewery. Not too far away (40km, worthwhile if you're in the area) stands the little village Sainte-Eulalie, home to around 230 people. In the village is an old farmhouse, where a pipe poking out of a wall inside the building pours water constantly into a stone trough. The water overflows and trickles away out of the house and down the hill, where it is joined by other trickles until it becomes a stream and, eventually, a river - the Loire, the longest in France and the 17th longest in Europe.
Stage 3 (04.09.2013; Vals Les Bains - Le Teil, 77.4km)
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Stage 3 takes place in the afternoon following the Stage 2 time trial - and if a rider able to time trial as well as climb did manage to get the upper hand in the morning, they might just possibly be able to turn it into the sort of advantage that would put them in a good position to start aiming at the overall General Classification. The reason is the mountains - there are five climbs along this parcours and two of them are biggies, rising to more than 800m above sea level, and with GPM points at three summits it's certainly a good day to start fighting a King of the Mountains campaign.
The terrain begins to gain height right from the start line with 171m gained in the first 3.9km; the first 1.9km of that at gradients greater than 7% before the remainder becomes less steep. There's a short descent from 4km to 6km, then the road heads skyward again and climbs 251m over the next 6.7km, at a gentler average gradient (with only a very short section of 7%) on the way. A flatter section lies between 12.9km and 16.5km, then it's uphill again for the next 5.8km (much of it 7%) to the stage's highest point the Col de Sarasset, 22.3km from the start and 848m above sea level. The climbers are obviously going to be near the front at this point, but there's a long descent on the way to even things up - the road is downhill all the way for 14.6km from the summit, mostly at less than -5% but in a few parts nearer -7% and for a short section at -10%. The climb is likely to be too far from the finish to prove decisive, especially as the 14.7km descent (with sections at nearly -10%) will once again undo the climbers' hard work on the way up.
From 37km, the second big climb begins. This one, the Col du Benas, is 11.7km in length and nears 7% for a 3km section from 43km; the summit is around 806m and marks 48km from the start. This time the climbers might have opportunity to take control of the race, because the ascent is sufficiently long and difficult to give them an advantage going up but the descent, which doesn't get much steeper than 5% at any point, is relatively easy and will let them remain at the front. From 59.9km there's one final climb of 3km to the top of the Col du Bois de Val, gaining 170m; it's steep enough (7% over the first half) for the climbers to increase their advantage further, something they might opt to try to do because the last 14.5km of the stage is downhill all the way, including a very steep section with gradients as high as -10% from 65.8km to to 68km.
There are two ways to win a stage like this one. The first is to select the right breakaway group, then ride with it into the last few kilometres before putting your bike-handling skills to the test as you try to be the fastest on the last descent. The second option doesn't always work, but delivers the most impressive victories when it does - the glorious solo break, achieved when a climber leaves the pack behind on an ascent and stays away to the end of the stage. There are two intermediate sprints, located at Les Mines (37.2km) and Les Aligiers (49.7km). GPM points will be awarded at each of the three summits, Col de Sarasset (20.7km), Col du Benas (48km) and the Col du Bois de Val (62.6km).
Le Teil, like Vallon Pont d'Arc, promotes itself as the gateway to the Ardeche; accommodation in the area will not be cheap at this time of year as a result
Stage 4 (05.09.2013; Le Pouzin - Cruas, 110.6km)
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The first 11km of Stage 4 are flat which, if the team leaders permit them to do so, gives the domestiques a brief window of opportunity to attempt to form a breakaway group and arrive at the first intermediate sprint, which lies at the foot of the first climb, ahead of the pack. That means they get bonification seconds, slightly improving their General Classification seconds, and they and their jerseys - get noticed and photographed, and the all-important team sponsors are happy, hopefully enough to commit to another year backing the team in 2014. Whether or not they get permission depends on how the top end of the GC is looking: if several overall victory contenders have similar times, they might want the sprint for themselves; but if one such rider has a small lead she might send two or three of her domestiques to try to disrupt her rivals' attempts to take a few seconds from her.
From 11km, the road starts to climb and it'll gain nearly 600m over the next 29.5km with the first GPM at the Col du Meran (19.8km). With no big descents (though there are a couple of short, steep ones) for the next 22.4km, the ball is in the climbers' court once more. At 52.8km, the Col de Comberon gains 183m in 4.2km, the majority of it at around 7% - more opportunity for the climbers, with the GPM points at 57km. With the next 17km losing 600m and the last climb, Col du Tribes (which gains 380m in 14.7km), not hard enough to guarantee them control, they'll need to grab any advantage they can in preparation for another long descent to the finish.
Stage 4 has plenty of added extras with the full quota of three intermediate sprints, three GPM climbs and, for good measure, a prime. The sprints are at St Laurent de Pape (10.1km), Les Ollieres (70.5km) and Le Pouzin (96.9km); the GPMs are at Col du Meran (19.8km), Col de Comberon (57km) and Col du Tribes (82.4km). The prime is at 49.3km.
Le Pouzin is a town with many interesting ancient buildings, including a 2nd Century Roman bridge still in use today. Cruas also has some splendid old buildings, including a castle, which contrast sharply with its nuclear power station.
Stage 5 (06.09.2013; Saint Sauveur de Montagut - Villeneuve de Berg, 117.7km)
With a twitchy parcours that turns this way and that, switching back on itself as it follows the numerous hairpins carrying it through the mountains, there's precious little on offer today for anyone other than the climbers - the start line is 240m above sea level and the road heads upwards immediately, reaching 696m in just 8.9km to arrive at the first intermediate sprint at Le Chier. That's an average gradient of nearly 8%, but the 1.1km section beginning 0.9km from the start gains 161m - which makes it 14.6%. The descent over the next 9km is too gentle to cause problems, then from 18km to 25.1km the route climbs another 342m to the 875m summit of the Col de la Fayolle - average gradient 4.8%, but with a 2km section at 6.3% halfway along.
The descent has a couple of short sections nearing -7% but for the majority of the time stays below -5%; it's also punctuated by a small climb of about 100m between 33km and 35.5km which, although only 4%, will help the climbers to prevent fast descenders taking too much time away from them. From 42.9km the parcours climbs again; this time gaining 200m in 3.2km to reach 639m on the Col de Juvinas; the average gradient is 6.2%, the maximum a more challenging 9%. A short descent no steeper than -7% follows, then the riders climb to 703m, using a route that isn't especially steep before another descent drops 372m in 12.5km - again, the gentle gradient and small climb along the way prevent the climbers from suffering too much damage.
From 64.9km the stage reaches its final climb, the Col de la Croix de Millet , rising 438m by 77.1km. That gives an average gradient of 3.6%, but averages don't always give an accurate indication of how difficult a climb actually is and in this case there's a 1.8km section at 6% followed by 0.9km section at 10.2%, starting from 73km. Finally, once past the summit at 77km, the other riders have a chance to catch up with the climbers - the descent loses 700m in 14.3km with sections at around -10%. A couple of little hills between 91km and 107km aren't enough to let the climbers win back significant time, then the parcours climbs at no more than 5% to the finish line.
Like Stage 4, Stage 5 is packed with three intermediate sprints, three GPMs and a prime. The sprints are located at Le Chier (9.4km), Belvedere Jaujac (68km) and St Germain (110.8km). The GPMs are the Col de la Fayolle (24.5km), Col de Juvinas (52.6km) and the Col de la Croix de Millet (77.1km). The prime is at 100km.
Stage 6 (07.09.2013; St Just d’Ardèche - St Marcel d’Ardèche, 74.9km)
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Stage 6, the last of this year's race, has some climbs but they're not especially difficult when compared to those that were faced in earlier stages - though a few steep sections could still lead to changes in the General Classification.
The first 6km start off with a small descent before heading through rolling terrain (with the first intermediate sprint just 4.3km from the start, expect high speeds right from the off) before a short 5% gradient climb of around 50m leads to 7km. The next 3km are flat, then the 3km after that climbs more steeply to gain 144m by the summit of the Cote de la Madeleine - the average gradient here is 4.8%, but a section starting at 11.8km and lasting for 1.2km reaches 7% in places. Once over the top, the riders begin a reasonably unchallenging 15.1km section with only a couple of very small hillocks to prevent it being downhill all the way.
At 32.9km the day's biggest climb, Col de la St Baume begins. Over the next 12.8km, the riders will gain 328m, which gives an average gradient over the entire climb of a mere 2.5%; however, 163 of those metres are gained in one 1.9km section starting at 35.1km, with the GPM points awarded at 37.5km; the average gradient over this smaller section is 8.5% - though the first half of it is even steeper. The remaining 8.9km to the summit (45.7km from the start) is mercifully far less steep and at no point tops 5%. Another small climb following a short descent just after the summit is no steeper, then the parcours heads gently downhill for 18.2km with only one 0.8km section from 62.1km nearing -7% to trouble the climbers. From 70.8km the riders climb again, gently at first and then at 5% on the final 0.8km to the finish.
The intermediate sprints are located at St Martin d'Ard (4.3km), St Montant (33.6km) and Cave de St Remeze (48.7km). The GPMs are the Cote de la Madeleine (13.1km) and the Col de la St Baume (37.5km).
St Just d’Ardèche is an attractive town with several buildings of interest, but its cultural highlight is the museum devoted to Dada.
Teams and Starters
Team rosters to be confirmed; team list is provisional. Check Women Cycling Fever for regular updates.
National Teams
Australia
Colombia
Germany
Lithuania
Norway
Poland
Russia
Sweden
Switzerland
USA
Trade Teams
BePink
Bigla
Boretti Ulysses
Breast Cancer Care
Chirio Forno d’Asolo
CTC
Faren-Let’s Go Finland
GSD Gestion-Kallisto Specialized
Lointek
Lotto-Belisol
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Racing Students
RusVelo
Servetto Footon
Top Girls-Fassa Bortolo
Vienne Futuroscope
Wiggle-Honda
How to follow the race
The Tour organisers realise better than most that an informative website is essential to any race in this day and age; the official site is therefore well-maintained and regularly updated. Results can be found here.
Ardeche is perhaps a little too far from Britain for the majority of fans to make the trip by bike, but the region is well-connected by road to the rest of France - making the trip via ferry/Eurotunnel and car (or SNCF, though considering France's long love affair with the bike, traveling with one on French trains is not always straightforward) would be a simple process. As a tourist centre, Ardeche also has good air links - a brief search online found flights to Grenoble (leaving 90km to be ridden to get to the race) from as little as £50.
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