Criterium International

Ron Stuart

Don't forget this one..... http://www.steephill.tv/criterium-international/ Eurosport tonight, got some interesting guys doing it.

inkyfingers

I've always had a soft spot for this race. I read that Wiggins has it as a big target but that TT is so short that a climber like Sanchez, Arroyo or even Schleck (if he can be bothered to do some racing) would only need to get a relatively small time gap on the first stage to hold on to the overall as Fedrigo did last year.

We really are spoilt for racing this weekend, shame so little of it is live on TV!

andyrr

Lots on RAI - GP Harelbeke, Settimana and Criterium. Pkus Track Worlds.

deal

on the col d'ospedale now.

windows media player stream, [url=mms://direct.francetv.fr/jt-20h.wsx]mms://direct.francetv.fr/jt-20h.wsx[/url]

rick_chasey

Thought Frank Schleck won?

iainf72

Rick Chasey wrote:

Thought Frank Schleck won?

He did

inkyfingers

Good win for Schleck, nice to see the brothers before April.

Cumulonimbus

Downing won the second stage last year but wont this year as he and Swift both finished outside the time cut-off (unless they are let off for some reason). Charteau and Monier were eliminated too. Wiggins' chances of a decent place overall have evaporated as he lost 8.41. Maybe he backed off towards the end to save himself for the TT tomorrow.

http://s288581967.onlinehome.fr/resulta ... CRI&menu=1

blazing_saddles

Tactics with race radios:
On the climb, Schleckette attacks early, stops, turns around and looks for Frank.
Tactics without race radios:
On the climb, Schleckette attacks early, stops, turns around and looks for Frank.

Le Commentateur

I did Col de l’Ospedale climb last summer. Stunning views, good steady gradient mostly and very scenic if you ride all the way up to the lakes at the top.

deejay

iainf72 wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Thought Frank Schleck won?

He did

What happened, he didn't fall off. !!

jerry3571

Didn't realise the race was in Corsica this year; very nice.
They do say that Corsicans used to (not sure whether they still do) kidnap people; something to do with a bunch of Corsican Independence Front so if you're out in the hills getting some early sunshine then be perpared for a longer stay!!
(Probably nothing has happened in years but there you go)

-Jerry

seanoconn

The Corsican countryside is lovely, just a shame Bradley Wiggins seemed to be enjoying the views more than busting a gut to stay with the lead group. He might be saving a bit for the TT but he's better than 8mins lost already.

deejay

jerry3571 wrote:

Didn't realise the race was in Corsica this year; very nice.
They do say that Corsicans used to (not sure whether they still do) kidnap people; something to do with a bunch of Corsican Independence Front so if you're out in the hills getting some early sunshine then be perpared for a longer stay!!
(Probably nothing has happened in years but there you go)

-Jerry

They all got off the Corsica Island after last years Crit Int without problem I think. :roll:

Kléber

Interesting to see the time gaps. It looks like a lot of people sat up once they realised they'd lost a minute to Schleck and others up the front. They're out of the running for the overall so might as well save themselves for the TT. Note French favourite Jerome Coppel's got a stomach bug and couldn't ride at full speed.

jerry3571 wrote:

Didn't realise the race was in Corsica this year; very nice.
They do say that Corsicans used to (not sure whether they still do) kidnap people; something to do with a bunch of Corsican Independence Front so if you're out in the hills getting some early sunshine then be perpared for a longer stay!!

There's a strong Corsican mafia but like Italy, it's more into rigging contracts for waste, road building, cigarette smuggling and other scams. I've been there and during one week's stay saw two gangland executions. Not in front of my eyes, but roads closed off by the police and cars riddled with holes from machine gun fire and the remains of the occupants. As a tourist you can't help but stare for longer than a second but the locals all acted like it wasn't there!

dougzz

jerry3571 wrote:

Didn't realise the race was in Corsica this year; very nice.
They do say that Corsicans used to (not sure whether they still do) kidnap people; something to do with a bunch of Corsican Independence Front so if you're out in the hills getting some early sunshine then be perpared for a longer stay!!
(Probably nothing has happened in years but there you go)

-Jerry

Yeah the same thing used to happen in Tooting with the Popular Front there, that Wolfie Smith was trouble.

Cumulonimbus

Wiggins came second in the TT this afternoon with Kloden taking the win while Geschke won the bunch sprint in the earlier second stage. Frank Schleck stayed upright all the way to the finish on both stages to take the overall, losing just a few seconds to Kiriyenka in the TT. Second and third overall didnt change with an undoubtedly smart performance from Geniez seeing him take fourth.

deal

Le Commentateur wrote:

I did Col de l’Ospedale climb last summer. Stunning views, good steady gradient mostly and very scenic if you ride all the way up to the lakes at the top.

I did it two summers ago and will be back again in six weeks

frenchfighter

Looks like they did not take it easy on that climb. Congratulations Schleck, good on him for taking it to them and going for it. Although Frank normally puts in some decent performances unlike his bro.

iainf72

frenchfighter wrote:

Looks like they did not take it easy on that climb. Congratulations Schleck, good on him for taking it to them and going for it. Although Frank normally puts in some decent performances unlike his bro.

Really? I thought Andys win at LBL would've been the kinda race which had you nursing a sporting semi?

ms_tree

Blazing Saddles wrote:

Tactics with race radios:
On the climb, Schleckette attacks early, stops, turns around and looks for Frank.
Tactics without race radios:
On the climb, Schleckette attacks early, stops, turns around and looks for Frank.

That's what REALLY irritates me about those 2.