Critérium du Dauphiné 2014

[nochain]

Conto looking beter for sure this year!That attack with 5km to go by Froome was a big one and he managed to stick.

Evenly matched I don't know,on the day all he could do is try and hang on...at that speed it makes a big difference.We will see on the bigger climbs if he has something more in hes legs.

Froome will have to learn to attack from the back...he can't keep on wasting energy like that.

Also Froome is one of those guys that stay lean the whole year.I think the 2012 stats showed he was within a 2kg range the whole year.So I don't think he will have a problem keeping that weight.

I also like the way Kelerman and talansky tried to take the race to Froome and realy made him work the whole climb.

Great racing!

[Jakkals.]

Conto looking beter for sure this year!That attack with 5km to go by Froome was a big one and he managed to stick.

Evenly matched I don't know,on the day all he could do is try and hang on...at that speed it makes a big difference.We will see on the bigger climbs if he has something more in hes legs.

Froome will have to learn to attack from the back...he can't keep on wasting energy like that.

Also Froome is one of those guys that stay lean the whole year.I think the 2012 stats showed he was within a 2kg range the whole year.So I don't think he will have a problem keeping that weight.

I also like the way Kelerman and talansky tried to take the race to Froome and realy made him work the whole climb.

Great racing!

 

Totally agree with you. Normally the GC guys just watch each other until the last 800m.

 

The young guys throwing everything out there. Also think Kelderman is still on "high" trip from his Giro success.

 

Future GC guys will be a lot younger.

[nochain]

 

 

Totally agree with you. Normally the GC guys just watch each other until the last 800m.

 

The young guys throwing everything out there. Also think Kelderman is still on "high" trip from his Giro success.

 

Future GC guys will be a lot younger.

Yes I like this Kelderman!Really hope he can become one of the guys that will take on the new gen of colombians.

[deanbean]

I dont think Contador wants yellow just yet.

Why not??? I'm sure he'd love to have that yellow jersey already. This isn't a 3 week tour, its a short week long tour, and every bit of time gained against your opponents adds up.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Conto looking beter for sure this year!That attack with 5km to go by Froome was a big one and he managed to stick.

Evenly matched I don't know,on the day all he could do is try and hang on...at that speed it makes a big difference.We will see on the bigger climbs if he has something more in hes legs.

Froome will have to learn to attack from the back...he can't keep on wasting energy like that.

Also Froome is one of those guys that stay lean the whole year.I think the 2012 stats showed he was within a 2kg range the whole year.So I don't think he will have a problem keeping that weight.

I also like the way Kelerman and talansky tried to take the race to Froome and realy made him work the whole climb.

Great racing!

 

Hmm, I dont know, at the TDF last year those big attacks by Froome left everyone for dead on the road, and he was away on his own,.... this year now, everyone who matters went with and another few made their way back,.... just tells me the rest have upped their game considerably, especially 'Berto.

 

Its almost impossible to pass when the pace is that high, what matters is 'Berto was the only one who was never gapped, ever, no matter how big the attack he went with.

 

Early days, I feel bullish.!

Edited June 9, 2014 by GrumpyOldGuy

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I dont think Contador wants yellow just yet.

 

I read somewhere he said he is not really worried if he doesn't win, because that would mean he hasn't peaked yet, which, if he aims to win the TDF is what he wants I guess.

 

Could be PR work though, remove some pressure, who knows,.... he looks pretty comfortable to me.

['Dale]

Kelderman, what a talent he is!

 

Impressive

He'll be grabbed when the market opens - does Belkin have money to retain him?

[Joe!]

Its a shame about Porte ... Hope he recovers, great rider

[nochain]

 

 

Hmm, I dont know, at the TDF last year those big attacks by Froome left everyone for dead on the road, and he was away on his own,.... this year now, everyone who matters went with and another few made their way back,.... just tells me the rest have upped their game considerably, especially 'Berto.

 

Its almost impossible to pass when the pace is that high, what matters is 'Berto was the only one who was never gapped, ever, no matter how big the attack he went with.

 

Early days, I feel bullish.!

 

Hehe yes Conto has up hes game big time...but for now its still Froome doing the attacking and Conto following..that normaly tells you a lot about what is in their legs right now.

 

Froome and Conto has each won 2 stage races this year and both got beaten once by J Rod.So pretty level so far.

 

Come July the big question will be...can Contador attack Froome,not just follow.Froome is the better TT rider so that only leaves one option..Contador needs to be stronger on the climbs.

 

We might be in for a good one this year!We just need a Valverde to be at hes very best and hope Nibali can pull things together.

['Dale]

Froome Dawg aimed to demolish his foes and gave it his all.

 

He'll be a ill' edgy that 'Berto was with him still the end.

 

GO 'BERTO

['Dale]

Saturday night fever

 

[T-Bob]

Saturday night fever

 

Fark, that boy needs a better set of salutes. He's had a few now and each one is a cringe worthy as the last. Maybe Sagan can give a few tips... or Simioni could be drafted in. Deffo a 'marginal gain' to be had there.

 

http://cdn.media.cyclingnews.com/2010/04/30/1/simeoni_app2001092700149_600.jpg

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Hehe yes Conto has up hes game big time...but for now its still Froome doing the attacking and Conto following..that normaly tells you a lot about what is in their legs right now.

 

Froome and Conto has each won 2 stage races this year and both got beaten once by J Rod.So pretty level so far.

 

Come July the big question will be...can Contador attack Froome,not just follow.Froome is the better TT rider so that only leaves one option..Contador needs to be stronger on the climbs.

 

We might be in for a good one this year!We just need a Valverde to be at hes very best and hope Nibali can pull things together.

 

Hmm, dunno, one could argue Froome gave it his best, but couldn't shake 'Berto??.. or a few others to be honest, only Nibali seemed to struggle a bit with the accelerating pace, maybe he had an off day, it happens, I wouldn't write him off just yet, he is better than today's showing.

 

Personally, 'Berto and Froome look very closely matched to me, nothing between them on the face of it, and neither SKY or Saxo teams impressed anyone, both riders were left pretty much on their own.

 

I still say 'Berto is the better athlete in the big mountains, but honestly, when its so close, its all about who has the fewer bad days.

 

Agree on Valverde, I hope he isnt hiding because his form is poor, Movistar has one of the strongest all round teams, an on form Valverde could be a serious threat to the podium.

Edited June 9, 2014 by GrumpyOldGuy

[T-Bob]

Nice to see Yates come in 8th for OGE. He's doing well this season for a 1st year professional.

 

Funny, Team Sky used to be the place to be for so many of the UK's up and coming riders to hone skills and develop. Now it seems to be the place to avoid or just be used as wattage machines for the TdF and little else. The classic were better but by no means great, the Giro was leaderless and rudderless.

 

Rumours are that Thomas is is out next year, EBH is going and Stannard and Kennaugh have talent to burn. You can't imagine them ever getting the support or development to really become leaders and champions in a team where the management has got to a state where the principles leader trade positions publicly via book releases and tv interviews with competitor stations rather than over a beer or locked in a room with gloves until they sort it out.

Edited June 9, 2014 by hellocolour

[Tumbleweed]

Was it just me or was there a noticeable difference in the cadence between Froome and Contador? Froome seemed to attack and spin fast seated, while Contador reeled him in on a slower cadence while standing.

[Pieterg]

Great Froomey