Orange teams announced for women and under-23 men; 2006 champion seeks one better than three consecutive silvers
The Netherlands Cycling Federation (KNWU) has announced the eight-strong women’s team for the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. The team will be led by World Cup winner, and World number one, Marianne Vos will lead the team once more as she seeks a second rainbow jersey on the road.
Vos, aged just 23, has never finished worse than second in the senior World Championships; she won in her first appearance at the age of 18, in Salzburg, Austria in 2006, but three consecutive silver medals since can be seen as a disappointment for the likeable Dutchwoman.
In 2008 Vos was outsprinted by Great Britain’s Nicole Cooke as a group of five riders arrived at the finish together. In 2007 and 2009 though, she found herself outnumbered by the Italian team in the closing stages and was unable to prevent first Marta Bastianelli, then Tatiana Guderzo, from escaping to take the win.
Hopefully, for Vos, this team will be able to support its leader right to the end; the Netherlands has an allocation of seven riders, with the addition of Noortje Tabak, who is the European champion.
Tabak, Annemiek Van Vleuten and Dutch champion Loes Gunnewijk are Vos’ teammates at Nederland Bloeit. Van Vleuten and Vos have been inseparable in a number of races this year and the 27-year-old winner of the recent Route de France could also be a contender if her captain falters.
The World number one team, the Cervélo TestTeam is represented by Regina Bruins and Kirsten Wild. Wild, the current World number two, finished third in the season-long World Cup and will be one of the big favourites to win if the race finishes in a bunch sprint.
HTC-Columbia’s Adrie Visser has enjoyed her best season to date since moving to the German-registered team, while 20-year-old Chantal Blaak continues to develop under the tutelage of Dutch legend Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel.
Vos, the current national champion, and Bruins will also ride the time trial.
Under-23 men also named with strong Rabobank Continental presence
The KNWV has also listed the six-rider list of under-23 men who will travel to Australia next month. Much of the team comes from the Rabobank Continental Team, including Boy Van Poppel, the son of former sprinter, now Cervélo TestTeam director Jean Paul; plus Pim Ligthart, who recently signed with Vacansoleil as a stagiere.
Netherlands Women’s team for World Championships road race:
Chantal Blaak (Leontien.nl), Regina Bruins (Cervélo TestTeam), Loes Gunnewijk, Noortje Tabak, Annemiek Van Vleuten, Marianne Vos (all Nederland Bloeit), Adrie Visser (HTC-Columbia) and Kirsten Wild (Cervélo TestTeam).
Time trail:
Regina Bruins, Marianne Vos
Netherlands Under-23 Men’s team for World Championships road race:
Tom Dumoulin, Coen Vermeltfoort, Pim Ligthart, Ronan van Zandbeek, Tom Jelte Slagter, Boy van Poppel
Time trial:
Martijn Keizer, Tom Dumoulin