Lesser Known Road Racing for Women Thread

[Samu Cuenca]

I don't follow WWT that closely, why did Hentala take a year off? Motherhood?

She was going through a hard time mentally in 2020, which was why she didn't ride any races after lockdown. She then found out she was pregnant right after she had returned to racing in 2021 and gave birth about a year ago. When she started training again, she refound her love for the sport and decided to give it another go.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

It's also very promising news for me since I picked her as a freebie wildcard in the CQ game to make up at least in part for the losses I will incur for refusing to compromise on my principles.

 

[RedheadDane]

Less than 7 Ks to go.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Another victory for Balsamo, but it was closer today with Henttala once again finishing second. Good news for my CQ team that Jastrab shows some form. Now I just need DSM to give her WWT chances with Georgi and/or Koch as leadout.

 

[yaco]

That last km was fairly sketchy and not suitable for a sprint final.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Van Vleuten has made her move, but Moolman-Pasio and Spratt are able to follow her wheel for now.
But now Ash gets dropped and Kim Cadzow catches up from behind.

 

[Dk one]

A bit disappointing from CUL and Garcia though it is early , early season.

 

[theyoungest]

Van Vleuten has made her move, but Moolman-Pasio and Spratt are able to follow her wheel for now.
But now Ash gets dropped and Kim Cadzow catches up from behind.

And it turns out Kim Cadzow can't descend No real surprise, she's only been in cycling for like a year. Still a promising sign, catching up to that group on her own.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

And it turns out Kim Cadzow can't descend No real surprise, she's only been in cycling for like a year. Still a promising sign, catching up to that group on her own.

Yeah, she hasn't been in cycling for long after stepping from triathlon. She used to ride for the Black Magic Women's Team, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that she has great power

She was also injured in the final months of last season, so she probably also has to get used to riding in a peloton again.

 

[yaco]

No surprise that Spratt is up there based on her Aussie summer where she was the strongest rider - Imagine if Trek sent Spratt to the UAE Tour - They could have finished one,two,three.

I know my Aussie and NZ riders but have to admit I know little about Cadzow.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Ash does it, wow!

 

[davidsonduke]

Nothing against AVV, but I hope this signals some real competition on climbing stages and not just an AVV that is not yet in form.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

When they did today's finish two eyars ago, AVV won by two minutes, but that was also against weaker opposition. Last year it ended in a reduced bunch sprint, but this time she'll need to gain time to win the race.

16 riders have 1:30 with 42 km left. There are no GC threats in the group, but they might be able to help some of the leaders later.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWL4BHUus9w&ab_channel=SPORTPUBLICTV

 

[Samu Cuenca]

It became a tactical race, where Trek and AGI - SQS used their numbers, but Realini is just not made for a downhill/flat finish. Nice first pro wins for Uijen and Ghekiere.

 

[yaco]

A bizarre race and a bizarre finish - Peleton let Ghekiere ride away with Uijen when they are in the break in the final stages . She comes second in the stage and sneaks the GC by a couple of seconds - AG Insurance can't lose because they are one and two in GC - In stage three , AVV, AVM and Spratt played around after the final climb which cost them around minute. Then you add that Ghekiere did not do nearly enough work in the last 10 kms to keep the GC group - I am stuck for words.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The route for the 2023 Tour of Scandinavia has been announced before the Vuelta and Giro routes...

Norefjell comes on stage 3 this time and stage 4 has a puncheuse finish in Larvik. This is followed by an ITT in Herning and a finish on a hillier circuit in Haderslev on the final day. It looks promising.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The route for La Vuelta Femenina, which funnily enough is sponsored by Carrefour, has been announced this evening. The race will start with a TTT in Torrevieja and finish atop Lagos de Covadonga. But most importantly, it also has a stage start in Cuenca!

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Well, I'm really glad they get to climb Covadonga. Otherwise, that's one huge steaming pile of meh.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

If anyone wants a bit of cycling action before Pais-Nice later, you can watch the final 40 km of the Trofeo Villa de Noja, the opening race of this year's Copa España:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Rukbj2A5E&ab_channel=SPORTPUBLICTV


From 14:45 CET, there's also a live stream from Trofeo Oro in Euro:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHRj6gXQqj8&ab_channel=ToscanaSprint

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Horrendous filming of the last kilometre is apparently also a thing in Spanish non-UCI races.
Victory went to Lucia Ruíz from Eneicat, with her twin sister Laura coming third, I think, it was actually Isabel Martín, sister of Sara, who came third, and Catalina Soto finished fourth.

Meanwhile in Croatia, Yanina Kuskova won the Porec Trophy.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Realini and Spratt have attacked together after Chapman set them up, and right now their biggest opponents seem to be the motos who nearly sandwiched them a few moments ago. I hope Gaia gets the victory this time, if they hold on.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The Trek duo has 1:10 to the chase group at the start of the final 21 km lap.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The gap has kept on growing so the win isn't in danger. But will they sprint against each other?

 

[RedheadDane]

That was real nice!

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Gaia gets the gold and the Euros!