2011 Criterium du Dauphine Libere - 5th to 12th of June, 2.WT

[auscyclefan94]

Stage 1 looks interesting - a day for the break maybe, but it is probably too early in the race for that... so an uphill 'sprint' - Roelandts vs. Bossan Hagan vs. Degenkolb?

Both of those guys will be dropped. The reason the ave grade is only 4.8% because the middle third of the climb is rather flat. The first and last thirds of the climb are quite steep which will drop the sprinters. A late attack will take the stage.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I just took a closer look at the profile and the real mountain stages are in the last weekend. Bit of a suprising build-up. In the past it was TT-serious mountain stage-2 non serious stages and then in the final weekend another serious mountain stages
now it's non-mt stages - TT - middle mountain/flat stage - 2 serious mt stages

That will make the midweek racing a bit boring.

 

[LabMonkey]

A late attack will take the stage.

Candidates?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Candidates?

There is a wide spread of attackers for that stage. Too many to name. Same with Le Gets. A puncheur will take the stage as it is not overly descisive and it will be a hard stage to control

Evans comments on the Dauphine and tour.


“I went to a training camp in altitude and checked out a few important Tour de France stages. I will check out some others after the Criterium du Dauphine. It will be an interesting race to assess my form and that of other riders who were not on the Giro. I'm not going there with great expectations. It is a test, not an objective.”

Even though the Dauphiné is not his primary goal, he’s done a reconnaissance of Sunday’s prologue at St-Jean de Maurienne, plus three others. He’s also checked out the time trial to be held next Wednesday, plus the mountain stages which will take place next weekend.

“Obviously, depending on how the race goes, I could get carried away as it happened to me in the past already,” he said, suggesting that his goal of using the Dauphiné as Tour preparation only could change. “I like this race and its mountains. But I did not check out all the stages in detail. All I know is that there are several mountain top finishes, which I will probably like.

“The most important test for me will be the Grenoble time trial because it's the same that on the Tour de France. This, I know! As for the rest, I can improvise, without any pressure.”

Full story here - Velonation

Christian Prudhomme previews le Dauphine

 

[Mellow Velo]

I just took a closer look at the profile and the real mountain stages are in the last weekend. Bit of a suprising build-up. In the past it was TT-serious mountain stage-2 non serious stages and then in the final weekend another serious mountain stages
now it's non-mt stages - TT - middle mountain/flat stage - 2 serious mt stages

That will make the midweek racing a bit boring.

Also good practice for Le Tour.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I just took a closer look at the profile and the real mountain stages are in the last weekend. Bit of a suprising build-up. In the past it was TT-serious mountain stage-2 non serious stages and then in the final weekend another serious mountain stages
now it's non-mt stages - TT - middle mountain/flat stage - 2 serious mt stages

That will make the midweek racing a bit boring.

The rolling course is favourable to attacking riders. Don't worry, their will be some entertaining racing though I won't get to see much of it.

 

[PedalCastro]

What will Leopard Trek want to do here? Wegmann??

 

[greenedge]

I am hyped for this. I hope if Cadel does win he just does not dig too deep. Also Kreuziger beat Martin????? in an ITT?

 

[auscyclefan94]

I am hyped for this. I hope if Cadel does win he just does not dig too deep. Also Kreuziger beat Martin????? in an ITT?

I wouldn't be surprised if he wins a stage although I am not sure about the overall. He said he wants to really test himself in the Grenoble TT. Interestingly he said he 'reconned' the prologue course and the weekend stages. He did admit actually ina recent interview that he can get a little excited and go too hard in these races.

 

[Ferminal]

I wouldn't be surprised if he wins a stage although I am not sure about the overall. He said he wants to really test himself in the Grenoble TT. Interestingly he said he 'reconned' the prologue course and the weekend stages. He did admit actually ina recent interview that he can get a little excited and go too hard in these races.

He wouldn't have to dig too deep to get a serious GC position. His main rivals here, Gesink, JVdB, Samu etc will be off form or taking things a bit easier. A lot depends on how heavily Tony Martin gets dropped But the TT will narrow things down to 2-3 contenders so it will be easy to decide then whether or not it's worth going for the win.

I'm more looking to lots of the French riders, Taaramae, Dan Martin and these next-tier GC people who can take advantage of the top men not looking for the win.

Purito will be interesting, if he holds or builds on his 3rd week Giro form he would be a force here, of course with the ITT he can't win GC...

Looking forward to the race.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Just had a look at stage 1 and the final 1.5km is around 7.5-8%. Should be a really interesting finish to that stage. I think it could be quite descisive.

 

[dlwssonic]

Just had a look at stage 1 and the final 1.5km is around 7.5-8%. Should be a really interesting finish to that stage. I think it could be quite descisive.

evans will be one of the main contenders for that one.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Flecha always with good prologues, also today
2nd now in equal time as tjallingii