2011 Criterium du Dauphine - Stage 2: Voiron - Lyon (179 km)

[Moondance]

Start time: 12:40 CET
Finish time: Est. between 16:50-17:15

A largely lazy stage snaking through the relative highlands of the Rhône valley. Travelling from just north of Grenoble, to, in my eyes certainly, the second city of France, the gorgeous Lyon, famed for a quality football team and food that only the French dare eat.

Finish is on top of a 1.4km hill with an av. of 4.8%. Following his show of form today, only a brave man will bet against Eddy Boss I take it.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Degenkolb for the win

 

[Moondance]

Degenkolb for the win

A brave man.

 

[kanari]

Following his show of form today, only a brave man will bet against Eddy Boss I take it.

I am a big fan of Eddy, but there are many serious threats to him tomorrow so you don't have to be that brave I think. Bole, Degenkolb, Farrar if he has form which he probably doesn't. Maybe something for Vino or J-rod too, not certain how difficult that finish really is.

 

[Gloin22]

Hagen for the win after solely Thomas and Flecha destroy HTC train on last km

 

[El Pistolero]

I'm going to make a bold prediction and say Roelandts.

 

[taiwan]

Degenkolb seconded, or Martens. An appearance from Rodriguez or Samu wouldn't surprise me though. No, really.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Judging by the profile, the final 500m are at least 6%, possibly 8%, so it will certainly require intelligent timing, but it's not quite hard enough or long enough for climbers to stop the sprinters.

Based on today, certainly looks tailor made for Eddy.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Based on today, certainly looks tailor made for Eddy.

Agreed. If he's climbing in the top 6 he is obviously in very good form and none of the other people who've showed form in the two stages so far have the same aptiitude for this sort of finish.

 

[Flamin]

I'm going to make a bold prediction and say Roelandts.

That would be the prediction of the century

 

[PedalCastro]

Definately a great oppertunity for Eddy, his form is finally improving again, good to see

 

[El Pistolero]

I know, but OLO seems to do so well these days.

By the way, low countries dominating modern cycling again (including French Flanders and Luxembourg of course)

 

[Spine Concept]

As far as bold predictions go, I wouldn't mind Roelandts at all, or Pim Ligthart.

 

[jens_attacks]

vino vs evans

 

[Kensuke]

vino vs evans

vs Joaquin Rodriguez vs Roche

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Wish they were finishing on the Colline de Fourvières - same length, twice the pitch.

I love Lyon. Beautiful place, many happy memories.

 

[Gloin22]

On tomorrow's stage in Dauphine Cycling.news wrote:

Stage two offers the first real chance for sprinters in the Dauphine. A rolling, but mostly flat stage will give also give opportunities for break although staying away on the relatively short 179km parcours may prove difficult. The finish will also provide a little extra spice, with a 40m rise in the final 500m. Someone like a Paolo Bettini will be looking for the win.

Say What ?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

They mean a Paolo Bettini-type rider, they've just not worded it too well.

Not that there are really any riders bar possibly Gilbert who are as all-round as Bettini was in the péloton right now. And I'm not convinced Gilbert is either (whisper it so El Pistolet doesn't hear)

 

[meandmygitane]

My prediction:
Joaquin Rodriguez will take this ezpz, now that Gilbert is not here. Looks about 36m the last 500m ~ 7%. Could be a breakaway though.

I think SKY may have gone "too well", they have often been fading as stage races progresses, let's see if this is the case this time.

 

[hatcher]

Looks a good one for Bole, but I'm not sure I've seen him at the sharp end of a race at all this year. Is he just having a quiet year, or have there been injuries/circumstances?

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

vino vs evans

I can see it coming down to those two. And I might give the nod to Vino in this race. Not just sure how ambitious Cadel will be here.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

My prediction:
Joaquin Rodriguez will take this ezpz, now that Gilbert is not here. Looks about 36m the last 500m ~ 7%. Could be a breakaway though.

I think SKY may have gone "too well", they have often been fading as stage races progresses, let's see if this is the case this time.

Frankly I'd be impressed if Jrod can hold a wheel at sufficient pace to be anywhere near the front with 500m to go. Sprint train momentum means a 500m sprinted climb is a very different prospect to any given 500m section within a longer 7% climb.

Eddy for the win, Tyler not far behind.

 

[maltiv]

I feel pretty confident that EBH will be 2nd or 3rd, but he won't win. Either someone will outkick him just before the line (Degenkolb/Farrar/Bole?) or some late attack will stick (Voeckler?).

 

[Havetts]

I hope so bad EBH will win this.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

EBH and/or Rodriguez to finish 2nd or 3rd that's for sure