Dauphine Stage 6 *spoiler*

dave_1

They'll be starting soon I guess. What time will the winner do today on Alpe Du'huez? break an records? Nobody under 40 minutes I think

dave_1

Some background info http://le-grimpeur.net/blog/archives/52
Once the short stretch of some 700 metres from the turnoff just outside Bourg d’Oisans is omitted, however, the distance is shortened to 13.8 kilometres for the actual climb. According to Vespini, Pantani still holds the record for this shorter distance, but for the time of his 1995 stage win: 36′50″. He lists the top-ten times for this distance as follows.

1. Pantani 36′50″, 1995, 22.5 kph
2. Pantani 36′55″, 1997
3. Pantani 37′15″, 1994
4. Armstrong 37′36″, 2004 (ITT)
5. Ullrich 37′40″, 1997
6. Armstrong 38′01″, 2001
7. Indurain/Zulle 38′10″, 1995
8. Riis 38′15″, 1995
9. Virenque 38′20″, 1997
10. Landis 38′34″, 2006, 21.5 kph
These records are startling for several reasons. Firstly, that Pantani holds the top three placings. Secondly, that 70% are in the years 1994, 95 or 97. Thirdly, that no climbers from 1976 to 1992, when the Alpe was climbed 15 times at the Tour, make it onto the record books (the climb itself was not timed before 1990, but no one is suggesting that any of the earlier climbs were records). Other sub-40′ climbs from various sources, Andreas Kloden in 2006 and Iban Mayo in 2003, fall into the same era.

The difference of the mid-1990s onward is stark. According to Vespini, in 1990, the ascent was timed over 15.5 kilometres. Erik Breukink managed 43′19″, with Fabio Parra at 43′23″, Andy Hampsten at 43′58″, and Claude Criquielion at 44′00″. These are still impressive rides, with average speeds in the 21.5-21 kph range – at the same level as Landis in 2006. But the extra 1.7 kilometres from Bourg d’Oisans is dead flat, meaning that speeds approaching the climb would have been higher. If we assume, say, that Breukink was attacking the base of the climb at 35 kph (he was probably faster), he would have covered the distance in 2′54″, making his time for the climb 40′25″ (around 20.5 kph). These were the top climbers of the day, but in 1990 they were still nearly 2 minutes short of a top-ten performance.

(The excellent writers at Cyclismag.com, for which much the subsequent discussion below depends, offer a list of historical times, the fastest of which is Luis Herrera in 1987 with 41′50″. It seems that they have, unfortunately, not differentiated between the various distances used in the timings – making first-glance comparisons impossible. They do note, however, that the first time below 40 minutes was set by Gianni Bugno and Miguel Indurain in 1991 (Indurain struggled in at 58 minutes in 1989), which is likely for the 14.5 kilometre distance.

timoid.

Dave, your last line on Indurain sums up the difference the gear made to him. Stats like you've wheeled out are both eye opening and depressing.

DaveyL

Surely if Inudrain was on domestique duty in 89 though, he'd have been taking it easy for a major part of the climb?

blazing_saddles

Anyhow, enough of the let's speculate about Big Mig, because Armstrong shouldn't get singled out cr*p.

There is actually a stage 6, which has started.
At 27kms Plaza (CE), Fofonov (Astana), Roelandts (Omega), Denifl (Cervélo), Van Summeren (Garmin), Le Lay (Ag2r), El Farès (Cofidis), Martinez (Euskaltel), Gautier (Bbox) and Levarlet (Saur) @ 40" to the peloton.

dave_1

Timoid. wrote:

Dave, your last line on Indurain sums up the difference the gear made to him. Stats like you've wheeled out are both eye opening and depressing.

Timoid,
I just quoted the article....not sure how truthful it is. But there's defo a trend.

I am going to guess nobody under 40 minutes today...the dauphine is missing a few favourites so will be a little slower, some are training. What time do you predict?

dave_1

Blazing Saddles wrote:

Anyhow, enough of the let's speculate about Big Mig, because Armstrong shouldn't get singled out cr*p.

There is actually a stage 6, which has started.
At 27kms Plaza (CE), Fofonov (Astana), Roelandts (Omega), Denifl (Cervélo), Van Summeren (Garmin), Le Lay (Ag2r), El Farès (Cofidis), Martinez (Euskaltel), Gautier (Bbox) and Levarlet (Saur) @ 40" to the peloton.

I didn't mean to turn the thread into an MI thread, just fun to guess as what times we think the Alpe will be done in today. I'm saying not under 40 minutes, how about you Blaze?

dougzz

42 mins 12 seconds are there PTP points for this

rokkala

Far too much live sport on today!

Anybody know around about what time they should be at Glandon and then Alpe d’Huez?

afx237vi

Time schedule here:

http://www.letour.fr/2010/CDD/LIVE/us/6 ... etape.html

Should start climbing the Alpe about half past four.

rokkala

Ta

iainf72

Looking like rain on the Alpe.

blazing_saddles

France tv live for me.
Approaching the Glandon. Astana/Shack sharing the work and the chat.
Under 40'? I don't think so. My guess is tempo train for half of the Alpe.

pottssteve

Any internet feeds, please? Nothing working on Steephill.
Ta

afx237vi

1. No cycling on ES HD yet.
2. I'm still hearing Carlton Kirby

Doubly annoying.

pottssteve

afx237vi wrote:

1. No cycling on ES HD yet.
2. I'm still hearing Carlton Kirby

Doubly annoying.

The Dauphine was on Eurospoilsport TV here last year. David Duffield did the commentary...........

afx237vi

Carlton is doing the 24 hours of Le Mans. Now that's a sporting event I find utterly incomprehensible.

secretsqirrel

On ES HD now.

deejay

SecretSqirrel wrote:

On ES HD now.

Also on the clockwork analog ES. (arn't I lucky to be vintage)

afx237vi

Cristian Ronaldo advertising Castrol motor oil in barely understandable English. That's a WTF.

blazing_saddles

http://www.fromsport.com/v-0/0/52/v-5389.html
For those without France 2 or HD Eurosport.

afx237vi

Millar dropped with 2km to the top of the Glandon.

dave_1

Glandon looks hellish hard. If you like, get your stopwatches started the moment they turn left onto the first ramp of Alpe Du Huez. Hopefully it finishes where TDF does.

dave_1

started my stopwatch on main group right now

iainf72

Sly is there. Go on son!

afx237vi

iainf72 wrote:

Sly is there. Go on son!

Attacked... and caught. Soon to be dropped

iainf72

He's outlasted Menchov...

afx237vi

And Sammy Sanchez.

afx237vi

Smzyd still there actually. I hope he doesn't vom with 1km to go like he did last year.

iainf72

How can it be I'm liking quite a few of the HTC riders? Wierd.

iainf72

Sly should go ask Bertie if he wants someone to destroy them properly - Only 25k euro's....