It’s hard to believe the GP de Plouay can get any better, as one of the most action-packed races of the late season, but a new-look parcours promises even more fireworks at the one-day race held in Plouay, France on August 27.
The race has been part of the women’s calendar for twenty years, first as part of the Women’s World Cup, and now a staple on the Women’s WorldTour since its inception in 2016.
It doesn’t garner as much attention as the Spring Classics or Ardennes Classics but its circuit-style route in and around the small town of Plouay lends itself well to intense bike racing, and it’s a much-looked forward to event among the world-class peloton.
“Plouay is a favourite race on the calendar for many riders, myself included. It’s an undulating course that makes the racing unpredictable. It favours riders that are brave and willing to take risks to win. Even with the new course, I expect it to be raced aggressively. We have a strong team, and we aim for the win,” said Alena Amialiusik of Canyon-SRAM.
Organisers have introduced a new-look to this year’s edition with a 159.5km route that includes a new larger 127km loop, followed by 2.5 laps of a 11.7km local circuit around Plouay. The laps will include three times the climb of Le Lezot (900m at 5.5%, 14% section) and two times la bosse de Rostervel (1,500m at 4.5%, 10% section). The overall elevation remains the same from last year’s circuit-style race at just over 2,100m.
Canyon-SRAM is expecting the parcours change to likely impact the race dynamics.
The route has had many small tweaks over the years but the essence of the race has always remained the same and plays into the hands of the most opportunistic in the peloton, those riders who can handle the relentless bursts of power over short climbs and who are willing to take big risks. Traditionally this race comes down to a small group sprint or a winning breakaway.
Previous winners include Regina Schleicher, who won the inaugural edition in 2002, Nicole Cooke, Edita Pučinskaitė, Noemi Cantele (twice), Nicole Brändli, Fabiana Luperini, Emma Pooley (twice), Annemiek van Vleuten, Marianne Vos (twice), Lucinda Brand, Eugenia Bujak, Amy Pieters, Anna van der Breggen, Lizzie Deignan (a record three times), while Elisa Longo Borghini is the defending champion.
Could this be the year a French rider wins?
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