Elite Women's Road Race - Preview

The most anticipated event in the World Championships is always the Road Race and this is no different in the women’s event.

Marianne Vos might be more eager than any to win after she missed out by such small margins in the past two years. The Dutch rider lost to Tatiana Guderzo by 19 seconds in Switzerland last year and by mere inches to Nicole Cooke in Italy the year before. Sitting at the top of the UCI rankings she has to be the biggest favourite.



Vos' Contenders
However, she will have to put up with some stiff competition from the British team who have a particularly strong squad. Nicole Cooke has an outstanding palmarès (race record) including Olympic and World Championship gold. She has also won the female version of the Tour de France called the Grand Boucle Feminine twice and the Giro d’Italia Feminine.

The British team also boasts Emma Pooley who has won almost everything she’s entered this year including La Flèche Wallonne and Lizzie Armitstead who has already won two world titles this year at the Track Championships.

Vos’ teammate Kirstin Wild will want to show that she is a contender for the team leader’s position. The world number two has been in Vos’ shadow for much of her career and this could be a chance to break free if she is not forced to play domestique.

Germany also have depth in their team with four of their nine riders in the top 20 of the UCI rankings. World number three Judith Arndt has the best chance for glory having won this event in 2004.

Circuit Profile
The women’s road race circuit is a similar circuit to that of the time-trial around Geelong. The riders will complete just less than eight laps of the 16km route. It contains two categorised climbs one first and one second. Many of the riders will have already competed in the time-trial two days before it will be a good test of stamina.

It is for definite that the three countries of Germany, Britain and The Netherlands have the strongest teams. It will be a great surprise if anyone outside these countries can find a chance to win the title. However, with the hills it is possible for a breakaway to succeed but they will have to be clever in the powerful heat of Australia. Like we saw in the Men’s Vuelta a Espana the heat can play a major factor and the winner of the race will be someone who can take this in to consideration.

The race will start at 13:00 local time on Saturday