2013 Critérium du Dauphiné

[tombeej]

Alberto vs Froome round #1 ding ding...

 

Just hope the weather improves

 

Champrey stage 1

 

webcam http://www.champery....uage=2&season=1

 

Don't rule out El Purito....

[tombeej]

I have looked at the profiles and with only 2 mountain top finishes and both not that difficult (a cat 3 and a cat 1) I dont know if theres sufficient gradient or distance for the real climbers like Rodriguez and 'Berto to stretch their legs and make a meaningful break, so I dont really think it will be a good indicator of anything other than general team ability, and here I have an issue, as I am not convinced Saxo is all that good.

 

Never the less, I will most certainly watch and I will most certainly root for young 'Berto, I think he is still one of the worlds best in any tour and besides, I just like his attitude.

 

Stage 5, with the hill climb finish to Valmorel, the queen stage (7), and the final one, should all be real crackers.

 

And the stages are traditionally not as long as the grand tours, so can be quite a bit more intense and attacking than the long events.

 

How about that TT on stage 4 - can a stage be any flatter...!

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Stage 5, with the hill climb finish to Valmorel, the queen stage (7), and the final one, should all be real crackers.

 

And the stages are traditionally not as long as the grand tours, so can be quite a bit more intense and attacking than the long events.

 

How about that TT on stage 4 - can a stage be any flatter...!

 

Yes sure, agreed, shorter stages could be more intense, but I guess what I really meant was that may not necessarily suit some grand tour climbing specialist's like Rodriguez and 'Berto, just as examples, it also favors a strong team as I mentioned, and I am not certain Saxo is all that strong.

 

Personally I think the course and the logistics (short stages, not too difficult climbs, only 8 days) favors Sky and Froome, but this does not necessarily mean he will be better at the tour where the logistics are considerably changed.

Edited May 29, 2013 by GrumpyOldGuy

[Guest Omega Man]

It's gonna be a cold one. It's been snowing in the Chatel/Champery area the last few days.

[dracs]

Yes sure, agreed, shorter stages could be more intense, but I guess what I really meant was that may not necessarily suit some grand tour climbing specialist's like Rodriguez and 'Berto, just as examples, it also favors a strong team as I mentioned, and I am not certain Saxo is all that strong.

 

Personally I think the course and the logistics (short stages, not too difficult climbs, only 8 days) favors Sky and Froome, but this does not necessarily mean he will be better at the tour where the logistics are considerably changed.

LOL. Sounds like you are making apologies for Berto already! Edited May 29, 2013 by dracs

[GrumpyOldGuy]

LOL. Sounds like you are making apologies for Berto already!

 

- Yeah, It does hey.

 

...........personally I think he ('berto) is up to the job, even though he has kept a fairly low profile I am convinced he will be ready, but, sadly, I am not convinced Saxo is up to supporting him.

 

Over long mountain climbs he can sort of look after himself, (within reason of course) but these kind of fast short stages rely a lot on a good team, and yeah, here, I believe Sky is much better.

[dracs]

- Yeah, It does hey.

 

...........personally I think he ('berto) is up to the job, even though he has kept a fairly low profile I am convinced he will be ready, but, sadly, I am not convinced Saxo is up to supporting him.

 

Over long mountain climbs he can sort of look after himself, (within reason of course) but these kind of fast short stages rely a lot on a good team, and yeah, here, I believe Sky is much better.

I'd argue the shortness of the stages are actually in his favour.... better suited to a short sharp attack... from what we saw earlier this yr - froome can generally chase down any attack given enough road - and more often than not he can then counter and distance himself....

 

But ja, I expect to see a different Alberto from those early encounters...

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I'd argue the shortness of the stages are actually in his favour.... better suited to a short sharp attack... from what we saw earlier this yr - froome can generally chase down any attack given enough road - and more often than not he can then counter and distance himself....

 

But ja, I expect to see a different Alberto from those early encounters...

 

Yah, fair enough, its a good point, just different ways of looking at their (perceived) strengths and weaknesses I guess.

 

.......and Yah, I hope he is a lot different, he is certainly playing to close to his chest.

[tombeej]

Contador: "If my legs feel good, I'm not scared of Froome or Wiggins"

 

The Critérium Dauphiné will see Contador up against Froome, with Wiggins also a possible starter in the Team Sky line-up. Contador spent last week training in the French Alps and is on form for the especially mountainous edition of the Critérium Dauphiné.

 

"I'm ready for a good Dauphine," he said. "It'll be a very different race to last year. There were a lot time trials, this time there's only 30km and it includes a climb, so it won’t be as decisive. There are also four mountain finishes which suit me."

 

Article here

[tombeej]

Tommy Voeckler, Pierre Rolland, Sammy Sanchez and Damiano Cunego also putting their hands up for the Dauphiné.

 

Really looking forward to this one

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Tommy Voeckler, Pierre Rolland, Sammy Sanchez and Damiano Cunego also putting their hands up for the Dauphiné.

 

Really looking forward to this one

 

You can always rely on Tommy to do something, so looking forward to that, Cunego.......Hmm, we fell out last year at the Giro, maybe he can redeem himself.

[tombeej]

You can always rely on Tommy to do something, so looking forward to that, Cunego.......Hmm, we fell out last year at the Giro, maybe he can redeem himself.

 

Did you see that reference in the Contador article about the rumour that Wiggles will make an appearance on the starting line...

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Did you see that reference in the Contador article about the rumour that Wiggles will make an appearance on the starting line...

 

Yes, I did, ........Hmm, that could be interesting in an odd way.

[Ozzie NL]

Laurens ten Dam has been given protected rider status at Blanco. ForWell deserved!!!

['Dale]

Tommy Voeckler, Pierre Rolland, Sammy Sanchez and Damiano Cunego also putting their hands up for the Dauphiné.

 

Really looking forward to this one

 

Quite a few powerhouses there.

Nice!

[tombeej]

Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (RSA) confirmed on the start line for Argos-Shimano