2011 Criterium du Dauphine - Stage 1: Albertville - Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse 144 km

[maltiv]

I'd have to say +1.

If there is any type of racing going on on that last hill, he won't be able to keep the jersey. Vino has a good chance to snatch it.

Boom should really keep his focus on prologues and small stage races, he can rack up some serious wins that way. His talent is undeniable. Curious to see his record of achievements at the end of his career, especially classic-wise.

If they race it like they raced the first "MTF" in the Giro, which was actually harder than this climb, then Boom will have no problems whatsoever. But considering how close the GC is and how many french there are here that probably won't happen.

 

[boomcie]

If they race it like they raced the first "MTF" in the Giro, which was actually harder than this climb, then Boom will have no problems whatsoever. But considering how close the GC is and how many french there are here that probably won't happen.

Agreed. +I also find it hard to believe that Vino will not try anything today.

 

[El Pistolero]

Yes, Vino will be in top shape already as he's probably peaking for the first 2 weeks of the Tour. He said his goals are stage wins and to wear the yellow jersey at some point in the race. I don't think he's going to specifically go for a GC this race.

 

[Flamin]

I expect major fireworks from Purito. Either him or Vino ftw + Vino in yellow.

 

[gilbertador]

If all together J Rod will take this, number 2 to Gilbert in the Ardennes and improved throughout the final of the Giro, he should be unbeatable in this sprint and is going for the win

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

This is no MTF at all. It looks harder on the profile than it is. We will see a sprint finish of a smaller group of 40-50 riders today. I hope Degenkolb will be there.

 

[auscyclefan94]

This is no MTF at all. It looks harder on the profile than it is. We will see a sprint finish of a smaller group of 40-50 riders today. I hope Degenkolb will be there.

There are quite a few parts which are 1 or 2 % so when it really goes uphill it actually can get to some decent grades. Degenkolb doesn't have a chance in this stage.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

You know that Degenkolb won as Espoirs last year a really hilly stage race? This added to yesterday's performance gives me some confidence for today.

 

[theyoungest]

There are quite a few parts which are 1 or 2 % so when it really goes uphill it actually can get to some decent grades. Degenkolb doesn't have a chance in this stage.

From the profile, I get about 3 k at 8 %, then a flattish section, and then 1.4 k at 7%. Which isn't much of a MTF, but it doesn't scream Degenkolb to me either.

But maybe Bye Bye Bicycle knows the finish?

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

But maybe Bye Bye Bicycle knows the finish?

You're right.

School exchange to St. Laurent-du-Pont, which is at the base of today's finish. It's absolutely beautiful there, but not that tough.

 

[theyoungest]

You know that Degenkolb won as Espoirs last year a really hilly stage race? This added to yesterday's performance gives me some confidence for today.

You mean the Thüringen Rundfahrt? Where the great climber Rohan Dennis got third?

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

You mean the Thüringen Rundfahrt? Where the great climber Rohan Dennis got third?

One of the two MTFs was a mountain time trial. This added to the TTT before suited Dennis very well.

But we're talking about Degenkolb, right? Remember last year's WC race in Geelong where he attacked everywhere, even on the climb. And still finished second in the (uphill) sprint.

It depends on the racing today. If Vino rides some stupid attack to split the field without winning the stage, Dege may have some problems. If a bigger crowd stays together (which I predict) he's definitely up there.

 

[boomcie]

This looks like a good profile for Voeckler to do something. And because he wins so much this year in France, he surely wants to win a stage in the Dauphiné.

The fight for the GC (yellow jersey) fight might interfere with his chances though.

 

[theyoungest]

One of the two MTFs was a mountain time trial. This added to the TTT before suited Dennis very well.

But we're talking about Degenkolb, right? Remember last year's WC race in Geelong where he attacked everywhere, even on the climb. And still finished second in the (uphill) sprint.

It depends on the racing today. If Vino rides some stupid attack to split the field without winning the stage, Dege may have some problems. If a bigger crowd stays together (which I predict) he's definitely up there.

I know Degenkolb can climb a bit, but those results as an espoir don't mean much. Lars Boom won mountain stages back then. These guys were just ahead of their age group.

 

[El Pistolero]

No way Degenkolb can survive here. Perhaps after a few years... Then we'll know for sure what kind of rider he really is and where his limits are.

Is he going to the Tour by the way? Getting fourth at a prologue in Dauphine is already a good sign of his form(although the next days will be more important of course)

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I'd have to say +1.

If there is any type of racing going on on that last hill, he won't be able to keep the jersey. Vino has a good chance to snatch it.

Boom should really keep his focus on prologues and small stage races, he can rack up some serious wins that way. His talent is undeniable. Curious to see his record of achievements at the end of his career, especially classic-wise.

Yes but I still think it's a shame he doesn't focus on getting a bit lighter and focussing on ardennes-types races and classics.
He is incredibly explosive, and he does have climbing talent, but instead he choses to be heavier (or better bulkier.powerful) to focus on the cobbled classics and time trials.
I'd rather see him in the ardennes with that kind of explosivity.

 

[El Pistolero]

This looks like a good profile for Voeckler to do something. And because he wins so much this year in France, he surely wants to win a stage in the Dauphiné.

The fight for the GC (yellow jersey) fight might interfere with his chances though.

Imagine if he could win a stage here, the national road race, and 2 stages at the Tour. He'd be having better results this season than a lot of top cyclists. And that for a Frenchman.

Admittedly, I don't give a **** about France or its inhabitants, but they have some cool cyclists with a clean reputation. Roman Feillu, Voeckler, Chavanel, etc are all going well this season and I love to see them race.

I'm going to be rooting for Voecker at Paris-Tours. That's a race that fits him like a glove and it's the second biggest one day race in France(or the biggest if Flanders annexes Nord Pas de Calais )

 

[El Pistolero]

Yes but I still think it's a shame he doesn't focus on getting a bit lighter and focussing on ardennes-types races and classics.
He is incredibly explosive, and he does have climbing talent, but instead he choses to be heavier (or better bulkier.powerful) to focus on the cobbled classics and time trials.
I'd rather see him in the ardennes with that kind of explosivity.

He was 11th last year at LBL(I think).

 

[joy118118]

No way Degenkolb can survive here. Perhaps after a few years... Then we'll know for sure what kind of rider he really is and where his limits are.

Is he going to the Tour by the way? Getting fourth at a prologue in Dauphine is already a good sign of his form(although the next days will be more important of course)

No, nothing about tour mentioned by him or German media unlike the spring classics.

 

[TeoSheva]

No, nothing about tour mentioned by him or German media unlike the spring classics.

HTC with Cav e Goss has enough sprinter at the tour...

 

[Ferminal]

This is no MTF at all. It looks harder on the profile than it is. We will see a sprint finish of a smaller group of 40-50 riders today. I hope Degenkolb will be there.

It is an uphill finish, even if he survives the easy climb (probably resembles the finish to Fiuggi during the Giro but with a sharp uphill finish instead of flat) he will not be able to contend the charge for the line. Unless of course we expect him to win AGR in the future (just like Freire...).

 

[theyoungest]

He was 11th last year at LBL(I think).

What? The LBL of your dreams?

Yes but I still think it's a shame he doesn't focus on getting a bit lighter and focussing on ardennes-types races and classics.
He is incredibly explosive, and he does have climbing talent, but instead he choses to be heavier (or better bulkier.powerful) to focus on the cobbled classics and time trials.
I'd rather see him in the ardennes with that kind of explosivity.

You really do sound like a broken record on that one. Nowadays he's better on the flats than on the climbs, so let's not assume he'll do as well in the hills as he did when he was 20 years old, even when he loses some weight.

 

[El Pistolero]

What? The LBL of your dreams?

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=17146

edit: wait, thought he was talking about Voeckler. My bad.

 

[boomcie]

It is an uphill finish, even if he survives the easy climb (probably resembles the finish to Fiuggi during the Giro but with a sharp uphill finish instead of flat) he will not be able to contend the charge for the line. Unless of course we expect him to win AGR in the future (just like Freire...).

If an improved Freire were to emerge, that would wreak some serious havoc in the peloton.

Anyone see past Degenkolb and Matthews?

 

[theyoungest]

If an improved Freire were to emerge, that would wreak some serious havoc in the peloton.

Anyone see past Degenkolb and Matthews?

Last year's Degenkolb and Matthews? (name of Peter Sagan)