Criterium du Dauphine 2011

macondo01
macondo01 Posts: 706
edited June 2011 in Pro race
Who do you think will do well in this year's race? I was thinking Geraint, Coppel, Zubeldia?

As something of novice of following pro racing it seems a lot more difficult to predict who will do well and who won't with riders holding back for the Tour and newer riders taking stage.

It also seems there's not so much written about this race. I am trying to read up on it as the cycling spell has descended on our family and little folk ask me questions!!
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"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch"

National Lampoon

Comments

  • P_Tucker
    P_Tucker Posts: 1,878
    Pro cycling doesn't really make sense unless you think about riders doping programmes. Thats why Brajkovic can keep up with Contador up Alpe d'Huez for one week a year.
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    It's hard to say. Look for Evans and Gesink. But I suspect the start sheet won't be stellar.
  • takethehighroad
    takethehighroad Posts: 6,821
    I'm tipping Wiggo, there's long time trial and a few mountain finishes.

    Depends if he can be arsed
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    TakeTheHighRoad wrote:
    I'm tipping Wiggo, there's long time trial and a few mountain finishes.

    Depends if he can be arsed

    I think he's got a good shot at a high placing too. It'll certainly be won by a decent TTer.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • takethehighroad
    takethehighroad Posts: 6,821
    Perhaps it's one for Tony Martin too if he has designs on the WorldTour crown, with Eneco and Poland on the way for him
  • bennyandrew
    bennyandrew Posts: 42
    I think Brad has to be looking at a top five finish after all the time trail is his distance plus this must be the strongest team sky have put out ,to back him up.
  • Abdoujaparov
    Abdoujaparov Posts: 642
    Interesting stuff. Yep, looks like TTers who are targeting the Tour might be dragged into going deeper than they would like in the Dauphine because of the TT coming before the key mountain stages.

    Reckon Wiggo and Martin would find it difficult to turn down a possible GC win to save themselves for a possible top ten in the Tour.

    Then again, someone like Brajkovic who's probably targeting the Dauphine could do the business again...
  • Abdoujaparov
    Abdoujaparov Posts: 642
    Lol - just seen Brajkovic says he's delaying his peak till the Tour this year.
  • macondo01
    macondo01 Posts: 706
    Lol - just seen Brajkovic says he's delaying his peak till the Tour this year

    Teams breathe a sigh of relief till the Tour then!!
    .
    "Let not the sands of time get in your lunch"

    National Lampoon
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Anyone else think it's quite a long way from the Tour this year?

    Can't see why people would ride this over the tour of Switzerland, beyond the carbon copy TT.
    _
  • afx237vi
    afx237vi Posts: 12,630
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Anyone else think it's quite a long way from the Tour this year?

    Can't see why people would ride this over the tour of Switzerland, beyond the carbon copy TT.

    I thought the exact same thing when I started the PTP thread, but I just looked at the last few editions and it's always same time. First Sunday in June. Weird.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Another lovely race. Parcours looks very challenging.

    Size bid on this race vs Tour of Swissy
    Contador is the Greatest
  • afx237vi
    afx237vi Posts: 12,630
    From a quick browse of the startlist... Sioutsou, Konovalovas, Cataldo, Seeldraeyers and Le Mevel are all straight back in action after completing the Giro. Those dudes really must like mountains.
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    afx237vi wrote:
    From a quick browse of the startlist... Sioutsou, Konovalovas, Cataldo, Seeldraeyers and Le Mevel are all straight back in action after completing the Giro. Those dudes really must like mountains.
    Interesting - wonder whether the same effect as riding the TdF for form in San Sebastian/Hamburg and the Vuelta for the Worlds applies here, or whether this Giro was simply too exhausting for that.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    afx237vi wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Anyone else think it's quite a long way from the Tour this year?

    Can't see why people would ride this over the tour of Switzerland, beyond the carbon copy TT.

    I thought the exact same thing when I started the PTP thread, but I just looked at the last few editions and it's always same time. First Sunday in June. Weird.

    I know riders used to talk about the "golden two weeks" after the Dauphine but before the Tour, but surely this way it's 3 weeks?
    _
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    Some good news : It's in HD on Eurosport HD (yes, proper HD!)

    I wonder if the Dauphine effect will be present?
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • macondo01
    macondo01 Posts: 706
    Just found this article about the race on Podium Cafe.

    http://preview.tinyurl.com/65qozdz
    .
    "Let not the sands of time get in your lunch"

    National Lampoon

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