The longest stage race on the women’s calendar gets underway this Friday with the 10th edition of the Giro Rosa. For the first time in the race’s history a team time trial will be included on the parcours, taking place on the first stage. The second stage is hilly, followed by two flat days for the sprinters. A hilly individual time trial is on the cards for day five with another day for the sprinters on the sixth stage. A stage for the climbers comes on day seven, acting as a warm up before the queen stage the following day. The penultimate stage provides a final opportunity for the sprinters, with the ascent of Mount Vesuvius to close on stage 10. The race provides a variety of opportunities and Team Sunweb will challenge on all fronts.
Team Sunweb’s Giro Rosa coach Adriaan Helmantel (NED) said: “This year’s Giro Rosa starts with a team time trial where we can apply our knowledge and where optimal coorporation is required for a good performance. The other stages are a nice mix of flat stages where the sprinters will have a chance, hilly stages that will suit the all-rounders and hard climbing stages. Our biggest aim is to go for a stage success. We have Coryn who has already showed that she can be successful in the flat sprints and in the more difficult stages. With Lucinda we have another rider who can take chances in the more difficult stages. We have Julia as our experienced road captain and a rider who will be important in the lead out for the sprints. Floortje, Sabrina, Rozanne, and Molly are strong all-rounders who are important in the sprint stages and also have the ability to support in the harder stages.”
Lucinda Brand
RACE
Giro Rosa (WWT)
DATE
30/06-9/07/2017
COACH
Adriaan Helmantel (NED)
WEBSITE
www.girorosa.it
LINE-UP
Lucinda Brand (NED)
Floortje Mackaij (NED)
Coryn Rivera (USA)
Julia Soek (NED)
Rozanne Slik (NED)
Sabrina Stultiens (NED)
Molly Weaver (GBR)
