Mitchelton-SCOTT women are ready for the next WorldTour race in Belgium this weekend, the famous Gent Wevelgem, and line-up with a motivated mixed team. After picking up her first European victory and first WorldTour podium placing over the past week, Australian rider Grace Brown has stepped up, showing great form and naturally be will be one of the team’s protected riders.
Alongside Brown for the first ‘real’ Belgian cobbled Classic race, which features the steep Kemmelberg climb, will be Australian’s Sarah Roy, Gracie Elvin and Jess Allen plus Dutch rider Janneke Ensing and Brit Jess Roberts.
Mitchelton-SCOTT Team:
Jessica Allen – (AUS 27)
Grace Brown – (AUS 28)
Gracie Elvin – (AUS 31)
Janneke Ensing – (NED 34)
Jessica Roberts – (GBR 21)
Sarah Roy – (AUS 33)
The Course
For 2020 it is a lengthy edition for the women at 145km, longer than previous editions, but with a similar parcourse taking in the steep Molenberg before the cobbled Kemmelberg.
The narrow and challenging climb often splits the race significantly but with still plenty of kilometres to ride to the finish line in Wevelgem, the past years has seen the peloton regroup and conclude with a larger group sprint.
History
The team came close to the victory in 2018 when former team rider Jolien d’Hoore sprinted to second place. The year before also ended in a reduce bunch sprint were Elvin came in 11th place.
Grace Brown
“I think we have a good chance with a few different riders for Sunday, it is a hard race and there’s many different scenarios that can play out in the race. Last year we saw it finish in a sprint finish, but I think we have options for all scenarios that can happen there.
“If I can keep riding with confidence, after taking confidence from Sunday in Liège and Wednesday in Brabantse, then I think I should be able to continue to race well if my legs hold up.”
Alejandro Gonzales – Sport Director
“Our plan for Gent Wevelgem is to race smart and take opportunities, we have a solid team and it’s not going to be one closed plan, we have options for different outcomes and we’ll play those options the best way we can.
“Obviously Brown has shown good form last few races and will be one of our protected riders but some other riders have shown great form too and will also be protected.”
Gent Wevelgem Women’s Race Details:
Sunday, 11th October: Imper to Wevelgem, 145.4km
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
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