The weather can play a huge part in the outcome of the 141-kilometer Drentse Acht van Westerveld, with crosswinds that can shatter a peloton and rain forecast for Friday. The crosswinds combined with tricky surfaces can cause mayhem and scrambling for position; add into the mix the (hu)man-made VAMberg, and you’ve got multiple opportunities for splitting the race apart.
The race starts and finishes in Dwingeloo, outside the Hotel Wesseling Brink. It follows what is a sequence of big laps and local loops on a flat course with two nasty spikes in the middle. There are competitions within the race itself: the VAMberg is hit twice, at 64 and 70.9 kilometers, offering 20% gradients and opportunities for attackers, as well as bragging rights of Queen of the Mountain. The sprinters’ competition will be decided by three intermediate sprints at kilometre 45.5, 120 and 127.3.
The contenders
This suits a Classics-style rider, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be someone like that who wins. Chloe Hosking won twice, in 2012 and again in 2017 for Alé Cipollini. She should return backed by Marta Bastianelli and Roxanne Knetemann. Back in the day, speed queen Ina-Yoko Teutenberg win three straight editions, and Giorgia Bronzini, who won in 2015, should ride for Cylance.
Jolien D’Hoore will lead Michelton-Scott, while 2016 winner Leah Kirchmann should start for Sunweb. Other fast finishers who could survive both the VAMberg and the cobbles include Cervelo-Bigla’s Lotta Lepistö, Virtu Cycling duo Barbara Guarischi and Emilie Moberg, as well as their Het Nieuwsblad champion Christina Siggaard, and Hitec’s on-form Nina Kessler.
What it does mean is that those more sprint-orientated riders may find themselves pouring more energy into the Drentse 8 because they know they will necessarily be a little blunted for the Ronde van Drenthe World Tour race less than 48 hours later.
Boels-Dolmans bring a fearsome line-up featuring Chantal Blaak, Anna van der Breggen, Amalie Dideriksen, Amy Pieters, Christine Majerus and Skylar Schneider.
Canyon-SRAM Racing line up with the on-form Alexis Ryan, experienced veterans Tiffany Cromwell and Trixi Worrack, and young talents Alice Barnes, German national champion Lisa Klein and newcomer Christa Riffel.
The total prize fund is €1735, with the winner pocketing €330 (yes, you read that correctly). Drentse Acht van Westerveld starts at 12:00 GMT on Friday 9 March.