Vuelta a Burgos Feminas 2024 Overall and Stage 1 Preview

 Whew...finally going to make it in time for the overall preview!

The Spanish stage race cycling season continues...first was the Vuelta, then Itzulia, now Burgos. There's no Lagunas de Neila this year, but it still looks like a decent route. Stage 1 is for either the sprinters or a late break; stages 2 and 4 are the GC days, and stage 3 looks to be a nailed-on sprint stage, unless there are shenanigans. 


Stage 1 profile from procyclingstats.com

GC Contenders

DEMI VOLLERING -- After coming into the Vuelta winless, she took two wins there plus the overall as well as a win and the overall at Itzulia, things are starting to hot up. She's clear the best climber in the peloton right now; I would expect her to take stage 2, and if she doesn't have the overall sewn up by stage 4, to go on the attack on the final climb up the alto de rozavientos much as she did in the last stage in Itzulia to take the overall. In short, I expect Vollering to continue to ride super aggressively searching for both stage wins and the overall -- and, given how she has been climbing late, I expect to see both secured here.

ÉVITA MUZIC -- Fantastic in the Vuetla and second in Durango on Tuesday, she is another who is riding really well right now. Looks to be the second best climber on the startlist, I don't expect her to lose too much time on the climbs here. I would expect a podium finish, partially due to the support of...

CECILIE LUDWIG -- Second race back from a broken sacrum in Omloop, it's been a while. Finished not-too-far-down in Durango on Tuesday, but I would expect this race to be more training focus than gunning for a result. I would expect she'll throw some support Muzic's way, and probably won't feature on the podium at the end.

SHIRIN VAN ANROOIJ -- No wins on the year to date, but had a solid classics seasons, especially given the support for her teammates. There's no Deignan or Longo Bourghini here, so she'll have full support for the GC, and a podium would not be unexpected.

PAULIENA ROOIJAKKERS -- Climbing well when it mattered in la Vuelta, can she feature here? A podium would be a nice result.

NEVE BRADBURY -- Climbing well in the early stages races, but crashed out in the TTT at la Vuelta. Surely how she goes here will depend on the how the recovery has gone.

Stage 1 preview

Profile is above...none of the climbs are particularly difficult, making it a good day for the breakaway. However, I think the winner will come from a well-timed attack on the unclassifed rollers in the closing kilometers. There is also some big wind forecasted in the afternoon...is this stage exposed enough for  echelons to form?

Stage Contenders

DEMI VOLLERING -- Why not?

MARLEN REUSSER -- SD Worx will be riding for Vollering, but, again, the finish is one well-suited for the Swiss rider. But the odds would be higher if not for...

LORENA WIEBES -- Climbing very well this year, the climbs shouldn't be a problem. If SD Worx can bring back all the late attacks, she should be the favorite for the win in a sprint. 

ELISA BALSAMO -- Another who shouldn't be troubled by the climbs, can she outsprint Wiebes? It should be close!
 
EMMA NORSGAARD -- Hasn't had a great spring, and is another who exited la Vuelta early. Will be looking for better results here.

SILVIA PERSICO -- Should have good confidence after a recent win in France...a possible winner from a late attack, waiting for the sprint probably isn't the best idea.
 
LIANE LIPPERT -- Another late attack option, and Movistar are always looking for wins in Spain.

ELISE CHABBEY -- Breakaway hopeful #1

KARLIJN SWINKELS -- Breakaway hopeful #2 and might be looking for mountains points
 
NOEMI RUEGG -- Breakaway hopeful #3
 

Stage and Overall Predictions

 First stage winner Wiebes in a close sprint with Balsamo...overall podium Vollering, Muzic, van Anrooij, trifecta, no box


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