HARD GRAFT AHEAD FOR GENERATION AT GRACIA ORLOVÁ

A versatile roster of Erja Bianchi, Emily Dixon, Jule Märkl, Joëlle Messemer, Tsige Kahsay Kiros and Awen Roberts is set to Czech out what Gracia Orlová has to offer – a UCI 2.2 event in the far eastern corner of the country, close to Polish and Slovak neighbours.

It’s 10 years since CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto last fielded a team at the race, which begins on April 30 and spans five stages across four days for its 38th edition.

Although largely centred around the small settlement of Orlová, the racing is far from one-dimensional, offering a well-balanced and varied route. Stage 1 opens with a modest 98km, but with over 1300m of elevation gain, it will already test the legs; the final 1.6km averages 7.3% (max 13%) into a technical, cobbled town square.

Stage 2 is the hardest on paper, featuring more gradual gradients and rolling terrain, but culminating in a longer finishing climb of 6.4km at 6.8% to a mountain saddle. It’s within the snaking, forested roads that decisive general classification moves are likely to be made.

Stages 3 and 4 come as a combo deal – a rare double day that can divide both opinions and motivation come lunchtime when only half the racing is done. 

First up, there’ll be a flat, non-technical time trial on an unassuming arterial road, with the first rider rolling off at 9:00. With little to disrupt rhythm beyond a single U-turn, maintaining focus and an efficient time-trial position will be key in what is set to be another crucial general classification test.

Later that day, a 16:00 circuit race is on the agenda – a format that is also employed for the final stage. Both are centred on 13-16km laps packed with twists, turns, and constant changes in road surface and direction.

Off the back of the double day, stage 5 looks to be the more attritional of the two circuits, with nearly double the elevation gain and a series of punchy climbs peppered throughout the loop. While the gradients are not extreme, the relentless repetition may prove decisive on already fatigued legs. Positioning will be crucial, with corners and climbs coming in quick succession, while opportunistic riders will be ready to exploit any conservative riding from general classification contenders.

For CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation, Emily will be one to watch for the general classification, following an exceptional top 5 at the recent Grand Prix Féminin de Chambéry, and a win in the QOM classification to match. With a skillset well suited to the demands of stages 2 especially, she heads to Gracia motivated to make an impact.

“I’m super keen for Gracia! Coming away from Chambéry gives me confidence that I can be active at the pointy end of races and position where I need to be in key moments. I’m excited to see what we can do as a team in Gracia – there will be many different kinds of opportunities for us and I think we’ve already shown how capable we are together. I hope we can do this again in Gracia to achieve more success. Personally, I’m really hoping to be able to achieve a podium, maybe even a stage win, – that would be super cool! I also think we’ve got a big chance in the flat stages to go for Erja, Jöelle or Jule, and I want to help them to achieve a great result to give back for all the work they do to help me in the hillier races.”

Generation manager Gosia Jasinska shares her thoughts on what to expect from the team:

“After Chambéry and a good Belgium block, I think we have a very good team with high expectations for this race. For the sprint stages, we would like to go with Erja. I think Jöelle and Jule can do a very good lead-out for her; they are very professional with positioning so they will be key for the team. Maybe they will go for breakaways, too.

And for the climbing stages, it will firstly be Emily, who showed for us in Chambéry that she’s is in good shape. But, we have Tsige, who can also be a leader for the second stage because it’s a long climb. Then, we have Awen, who can always aim to be high in the GC. I hope the weather will be good and we can do all stages, because the finish of stage two is in Pustevny, which is quite mountainous. But there, we will have three riders to try with, and many options for all the stages.

The goal is to always race like a team. These girls already know each other and they like to race together. Because of that, I feel chills; I am nervous but excited about this race and I really hope that the team will do well. We’ll be racing for the win on every stage, changing the riders, and giving opportunities to almost all of them. The second stage and time trial will decide the GC, where I hope we will be on the podium. But first, they are young so like always and above all, they must enjoy the races.”

HOW TO FOLLOW

Stage 1 | Thu, April 30 | UCI 2.2 | Orlova – Štramberk | 98.8km | 1365m elevation | start: 13:00 – 15:48 CET.

Stage 2 | Fri, May 01 | Trinec – Pustevny | 115.7km | 2037m elevation | start: 10:30 – 13:48 CET.

Stage 3 | Sat, May 02 | Havirov – Havirov | 13.5km | 20m elevation | first rider start: 9:00 CET.

Stage 4 | Sat, May 02 | Bohumin – Bohumin | 97km | 585m elevation | start: 16:00 – 18:17 CET. 

Stage 5 | Sun, May 03 | Orlová – Orlová | 104.1km | 1072m elevation | start: 10:00 – 12:40 CET.

Gracia Orlová will not be broadcast live, but real-time tracking and results will be available on the event’s website. The race can also be followed via #GraciaOrlova, as well as through the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto social channels.