The World Championships in Florence opened with the team time trial for women. The first team starts at ten o’clock in Pistoia. Just like for the men the finish line is on the Mandela Forum in Florence. The ladies have to cover a distance of 42,79 km. In the past, at the World Championships from 1987 until 1994, there was a team time trial of 50 km for women. This was for national teams of four riders. Last year the discipline returned, but now for commercial teams of six. The Lotto Belisol Ladies became 10th in Valkenburg at 5’32” of Specialized – Lululemon, the winning team.
This year the course is completely flat. Intermediate times will be registered after 9,7 km and 27,7 km. This week the Lotto Belisol Ladies selection trained in Tuscany. From Italy manager Dany Schoonbaert talks about the preparation and ambition of the team.
Dany Schoonbaert, manager: “We aim for a top ten place with the team. There are many strong teams at the start, if we finish tenth I’ll be very satisfied. Each place that’s higher, would of course be great. It’s also important because only the first ten teams get points for the UCI ranking. In any case it’s important for a team to be participating here in the Worlds, it gives much attention. Our close contestants will be Boels Dolmans, Hitec, Sengers Ladies and some Italian teams. For the victory I expect a battle between Lululemon, Orica and Rabobank.”
“This year we have only ridden one team time trial, in the Lotto Belisol Belgium Tour. We started with a team of seven with all riders from the World Championship selection, only Sharon Laws wasn’t there. We became seventh in a stage of 19,75 km. It was very important to us that we could have a test, although it’s a longer distance now. Today we’ll do a final recon of the course when the route will be closed off.”
“The past week the riders have trained well here, on turns and taking over positions. The ladies are definitely ready, they have done everything possible as preparation. On Monday they did a first recon of the course. Immediately after the start there are some turns and then there is a long straight part of 36 kilometers with only two roundabouts. That means go full all the time. The course through the city of Florence has many turns and is on roads that are constructed with big stones. The route goes through the centre via the Dom and shopping streets, it’s turning all the time. The last five to six kilometers is certainly a technical part.”
Selection Lotto Belisol Ladies: Jolien D’hoore, Marijn de Vries, Ann-Sophie Duyck, Sharon Laws, Carlee Taylor and Celine Van Severen.