2011 - Criterium du Dauphine - Stage 3: Grenoble 42.5 km ITT

[ruamruam]

Roche only lost 4 seconds in Evans in the final section, funny that, considering Evans was only just ahead of him (Nothing against Roche, just shows the benefits of having a rider just ahead of you, even if you are not close enough for it to be considered drafting)

I think it says more about Roche's mental attitude in time trials.

 

[Jamsque]

He could win quite easily if he's motivated to win and Evans, Brajkovic, Vino etc decide to save it for the Tour. Vino might try but I'm not sure he has the form

I think Brajkovic is not going to hold anything back, and Vino doesn't know HOW to hold anything back.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Having much better weather conditions and only finishing 10 seconds ahead isn't exactly a good sign for someone who won 2.30 minutes on the same rider last year in the Tour also considerings Gesink lesser form in this Dauphine...

Through the last half of the course, the later starters had to deal with a very wet decent and rain was also coming down before and during the final climb.

DT, which stage do you think RG will have a go at?

 

[Tuarts]

Rui Costa 4th. Anyone have any info on the guy? Apart from clinic fodder of course.

CQ tells me he's a good TT, how does he go in the hills? Must be ok to be 4th.

 

[luckyboy]

Rui Costa 4th. Anyone have any info on the guy? Apart from clinic fodder of course.

CQ tells me he's a good TT, how does he go in the hills? Must be ok to be 4th.

I thought he was more a hilly rider/climber than a good TTer

 

[will10]

Ok, ALL BOW DOWN TO TIMMY LOVES RABO'S SUPERIORITY!


Just to remind people who are talking up Wiggins chances of taking the overall, may I show you what is coming?

11.2km @8.4%

14.8km @ 5.4%

not saying he won't win but a lot of climbing is to come.

As we saw at the Giro, a lot depends on how it is raced. Wiggins is in great form and I think he will be a tough nut to crack even on those climbs considering the opposition - this is not Contador and Schleck he is up against. Cadel, VDB, Vino etc. - are they really going to put it all on the line with the Tour coming up? I can see a very defensive few days racing coming up with no big gaps between the GC guys to be honest. Some will sit up and have a day in the autobus, then go for the stage the next day, but I can't see any of the big guns going all out for the GC here really. They're all looking at Le Tour.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Through the last half of the course, the later starters had to deal with a very wet decent and rain was also coming down before and during the final climb.

DT, which stage do you think RG will have a go at?

I think both weekend stages. The Allevard should suit him more than La Toussiere tho.

 

[dlwssonic]

yeah really found carlton kirby irritating, he kept talking like no way in hell wiggins was going to lose the dauphine and like he was one of the best climbers. He kept on saying the odds will go down but i think 66 to 1 is pretty accurate or it should be even higher.

 

[dlwssonic]

im sure astana, radioshack, OPL or BMC will set a hard tempo on the climbs to get rid of wiggins instead of attacking which would be not that hard. Remember busche on mount baldy? its time for morabito, moinard and santamorita to deliver!

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

I didn't think he would win before the Dauphine, and I don't think he will now.

That's not what I was reffering to, rather than your conviction that there is "No way" he could take the win. But you yourself seem to be convinced that Brajkovic is the onlyone of the contenders who'd really go for it. He is 1:21 min down on Wiggins though. Taking that into consideration it seems to me that you should atleast think that there is a chance Wiggins can win it, if he want's to of course and is not afraid of spending to much energy before the tour. Which is true for Brajkovich as well btw., as he is supposed to go for the GC at the Tour.

Also keep in mind that Brajkovich only managed to put 52 seconds into Coppel on Risoul and Alpe d'Huez in last years edition. And Wiggo really is at least a Coppel in the mointains.

 

[Lanark]

I think Wiggins has a pretty good chance to hold this. Saturday will be very difficult, but the people most likely to attack (Vino, Rodriguez), are quite a bit behind. La Toussuire should suite him great, a short stage with the final climb with a very moderate gradient.

The real danger is Evans, but how much does he want to do at this point? To be honest, I think Wiggins is peaking a bit too early, but if he does, he should do everything he can to at least win the Dauphiné while his shape is great (and it would be a fantastic victory for Wiggins of course).

 

[auscyclefan94]

im sure astana, radioshack, OPL or BMC will set a hard tempo on the climbs to get rid of wiggins instead of attacking which would be not that hard. Remember busche on mount baldy? its time for morabito, moinard and santamorita to deliver!

The BMC climbers shall be poised to punce for when the roads head uphill to set it up for the might of cadel evans!

 

[Ferminal]

yeah really found carlton kirby irritating, he kept talking like no way in hell wiggins was going to lose the dauphine and like he was one of the best climbers. He kept on saying the odds will go down but i think 66 to 1 is pretty accurate or it should be even higher.

He was talking him up to win the stage the whole time too, then he when realised he didn't get it he switched immediately to his GC position.

Not sure whats worse, his love for Evans or what he was doing with Wiggins today.

 

[Parrulo]

Rui Costa 4th. Anyone have any info on the guy? Apart from clinic fodder of course.

CQ tells me he's a good TT, how does he go in the hills? Must be ok to be 4th.

he has always been a good ITT guy. he is a good guy for the hills and time trials. he isn't much of a climber tho he lost a few kilos on the off season so that may have changed (i doubt it tho)

he should be up there with the best on the ardennes in a couple years but i doubt he can top 20 a GT.

any1 knows movistar's team for the tour? with his form it would be weird not to take rui costa

 

[dlwssonic]

The BMC climbers shall be poised to punce for when the roads head uphill to set it up for the might of cadel evans!

Yea they better because the puncheurs such as schar, quinziato have been doing a better job as the rode a smashing tempo on stage 1 and 2. But they kinda killed themselves too early.

 

[dlwssonic]

He was talking him up to win the stage the whole time too, then he when realised he didn't get it he switched immediately to his GC position.

Not sure whats worse, his love for Evans or what he was doing with Wiggins today.

i think his love for wiggins is much more than his love for cadel. as everytime he sees wiggins he goes OH ITS WIGGINS!! ONE OF THE CLASSIEST RIDERS! IF YOU WANT TO FIND ONE LOOK FOR HIM!! heard he got a scolding from evans as he made fun of evans twitching his head position when he is on it in the mountains.

 

[hatcher]

We're gonna need a separate forum if we're gonna point out every moronic thing Kirby says.

 

[Anonymous]

The real danger is Evans, but how much does he want to do at this point? To be honest, I think Wiggins is peaking a bit too early, but if he does, he should do everything he can to at least win the Dauphiné while his shape is great (and it would be a fantastic victory for Wiggins of course).

I wonder if I may need to direct people to my blog post earlier this year where I suggested that Brad should target his form for the Dauphine or tour de Suisse and try and win those, and sacrifice Tour form slightly in favour of supporting Uran.

 

[dlwssonic]

even harmon beats kirby anyday!

 

[Winterfold]

If Wiggins is on 2009 form and there is every indication he is, then he hung in with the top group on the Ventoux which is considerably harder than anything coming up. And the Queen stage too. Admittedly Evans was a bunch of **** that year, but he doesnt look totally on form right now either.

And Toussiere is a pretty good climb for him, he wont lose minutes on that.

He should go balls out for this - its a massive win, and he should try to take it while he is in the driving seat.

Shame on the Brits running down his chances. Show some balls and take the risk of getting behind him.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Nice win for Tony!

 

[Descender]

i think this is the best possible scenario for us to have a weekend with great racing.

people will want to gain time on wigans

You're absolutely right. And yet people keep complaining about time-trials...

 

[dlwssonic]

i think this is the best possible scenario for us to have a weekend with great racing.

people will want to gain time on wigans

yes great time to see evans, brajkovic,vino attack wiggans.

 

[will10]

I wonder if I may need to direct people to my blog post earlier this year where I suggested that Brad should target his form for the Dauphine or tour de Suisse and try and win those, and sacrifice Tour form slightly in favour of supporting Uran.

Ah yes, Uran, that established three-week rider...

 

[Anonymous]

Ah yes, Uran, that established three-week rider...

Support Uran for white in the hope the Gesink messes up.

Was more the suggestion of targetting the dauphine rather than the tour.