As the 2015 Elite Women's World Cyclocross Championship is practically open for the taking by a large number of racers, the folks here at Cyclocross Magazine won't be making any hard-and-fast predictions, but we will be highlighting ten favorites as well as some outside contenders. With the weather now verging on the likelihood of snow the day before the Elite Races, the fast course of Tabor will also provide a few areas that will likely cause some spills, especially if the notorious Czech ice comes into play.
Also, don't miss our Elite Men's Preview of Tabor.
The Favorites: Ellen van Loy
Ellen van Loy (Telenet – Fidea) was in control from start to finish at the 2014 Qiansen Trophy Cyclocross Race in China. © Cyclocross Magazine
Van Loy is Compton’s antithesis as a rider. She is one of the fastest starters in cyclocross, and usually takes a holeshot that is only contested by Lechner and Sophie de Boer. She loves dictating the pace in the early goings of any race, and she is one of the most consistent riders of the year, earning her a second place overall in the World Cup Standings.
Unlike Compton’s late-surging, however, Van Loy often struggles to stay with the lead group when there is two to three laps to go. She has managed to capture a top five countlessly this season, but a win is far and few between in her career, with one of the rare ones coming at the 2014 QianSen Trophy Cyclocross in China.
