Van Vleuten leads with Vos on her heels
Sixth round of women's World Cup
The sixth round of the 2010 UCI Women's World Cup heads to Spain for the second year in a row with the 124km out and back from Valladolid. The rolling terrain, punctuated by several short, sharp climbs was enough last year to get a three-woman breakaway free that included Dutch rider Annameik Van Vleuten, Judith Arndt and Charlotte Becker.
While Becker prevailed in last year's round, this year Van Vleuten is going into the race as World Cup leader, where she holds a slim advantage over teammate and compatriot Marianne Vos.
Vos led the series until she skipped the Chongming Island round last month, but will return to enjoy the tactical advantage that having a
highly placed teammate provides.
Van Vleuten has 188 points to Vos's 185, while the nearest competitor, Swede Emma Johansson has 153. Placed fourth with 113 points and a chance to tie for the lead is German Ina Teutenberg. The HTC-Highroad sprinter has chosen to skip the Liberty Classic in the USA, which she has won four times.
That could swing the balance for the race to the side of a bunch sprint, with HTC-Highroad interested in keeping the race together, while Vos and Van Vleuten have both shown the ability to place well in bunch kicks.
Vos is showing fresh legs after taking a little time away from the circuit, going 1-2 with Van Vleuten in the 5e Verti advies 7 Dorpenomloop Aalburg last week and soloed to the win in the UCI 1.2 race in Gooik today by five minutes.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!

Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
TrainingPeaks Virtual confirmed as new platform for Echelon Racing League and USA Cycling esports National Championships
Calendar for Esports evolving as Zwift moving away from its own series and academy this fall -
Zoe Bäckstedt vs the rest? – Riders to watch in the World Championships women's U23 time trial
First-ever edition of separate U23 time trial for women has a field stacked full of talent -
'I don't feel done' - Ellen Noble returns to elite cyclocross competition to prove she is still 'tough, capable, powerful'
Two-time US U23 cyclocross national champion overcomes years of illness and injuries for first full 'cross schedule since 2019 -
Vaccinations, malaria pills, boiled water – Belgian team doctor outlines health precautions in place for Road World Championships in Rwanda
'We started preparing for this World Championships a year ago' says Kris Van der Mieren