2016 Critérium du Dauphiné, 2.UWT, June 5-12

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

Contador is targeting the Olympics as well. So is Quintana.

Zika virus is too much for them to resist, I guess.

Would give cyclists an excuse for even more tues

I just noticed that it would be way funnier for cycling fans if it would be called Zaka virus...

 

[Robert5091]

Re: 2016 Criterium du Dauphiné, 2.UWT, June 5-12

Just let them sort out those d*@m motos! Don't want any more "incidents".

 

[Tonton]

Re: 2016 Criterium du Dauphiné, 2.UWT, June 5-12

Just let them sort out those d*@m motos! Don't want any more "incidents".

A bit off-topic here but I understand how upset we all are, and for quite some time. There's a thread on this issue. btw, I like your signature .

 

[Valv.Piti]

The winner of the prologue will be the most likely winner overall. Froome, as in 2014, is the answer.

 

[Tonton]

Re:

The winner of the prologue will be the most likely winner overall. Froome, as in 2014, is the answer.

You have to be very explosive to do well in the opening ITT. I agree that Froome should do extremely well. But let's not underestimate Contador.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

The winner of the prologue will be the most likely winner overall. Froome, as in 2014, is the answer.

You have to be very explosive to do well in the opening ITT. I agree that Froome should do extremely well. But let's not underestimate Contador.

I know that satisfying Contador-fans and not making the mop angry is part of the moderator job, but I don't underestimate Contador - I simply think that Froome will go faster

 

[Kwibus]

Re: Re:

The winner of the prologue will be the most likely winner overall. Froome, as in 2014, is the answer.

You have to be very explosive to do well in the opening ITT. I agree that Froome should do extremely well. But let's not underestimate Contador.

I know that satisfying Contador-fans and not making the mop angry is part of the moderator job, but I don't underestimate Contador - I simply think that Froome will go faster

Oh come on... So unneccesary Valv...

 

[Arredondo]

LRP will surprise both in that prologue anyway

 

[manolo57]

And what about frenchman Julian Alaphilippe for the prologue ?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

The winner of the prologue will be the most likely winner overall. Froome, as in 2014, is the answer.

You have to be very explosive to do well in the opening ITT. I agree that Froome should do extremely well. But let's not underestimate Contador.

I know that satisfying Contador-fans and not making the mop angry is part of the moderator job, but I don't underestimate Contador - I simply think that Froome will go faster

Oh come on... So unneccesary Valv...

Yeah, that was a cheap shot, but Tonton knows I am joking... somewhat

 

[SeriousSam]

It's 3 times longer than mur de huy, so Froome is easily explosive enough to crush the competition in top form.

But like last year he'll be merely good. Not great

 

[Publicus]

I think Froome will overcome his (relatively) poor spring and win the overall--because he has something to prove.

 

[ILovecycling]

Now when Im looking at the route again,it doesnt seem so bad,bring it on!


Velasco ftw!
(zam you lazy bug where are you )

 

[lenric]

Froome will peak later than sooner this year. Last year he almost got his ass kicked by Quintana in the latter stages of the Tour.
So, while I don't discard Froome as a possible winner of Dauphine, I don't rate him as the favorite.

I also don't see Contador as being able to win this (neither the Tour). Since his return in 2012, his cadence lowered significantly, particularly after 2013, while his w/kg didn't rise. I don't see him as being able to accelerate as fast as he once did prior to 2012 (whether that's dude to his cadence, or less physical capacity is other theme).
If he wins, it won't be due to physical prowess, but because of brains.

Anyway, I rate Porte as my favorite to win. Aru is pulling a Nibali 2014 preparation style, so I expect him to do a very competitive tour.

So all in all:

1 - Porte.
2 - Froome.
3 - Contador/possible surprise rider.

 

[Põhja Konn]

Re: 2016 Criterium du Dauphiné, 2.UWT, June 5-12

Froome is likely going by the scenario from last year, riding himself into form during the Dauphine. And maybe the improvement is even slower, if the talk about him planning to peak a bit later this year are true.
Although due to his spring form, or rather lack of it, there is more uncertainty about him in the air than has been before. Unless he is much closer to his peak than I'm expecting, he is not the favourite for the prologue.

Contador will be good, but not yet great. But he his a specialist in short hilly/mountainious TTs and as such is still the favourite for the prologue. He could well win the Dauphine altogether, specially if Froome starts out as slow as last year. Otherwise, it could come down to how deep each of them are ready to go only a month before the TDF.

All in all, stage is set for someone else than the big two to win the Dauphine. Someone like Porte or Pinot, for whom winning the Dauphine would be important achievement in itself. For Froome and Contador, it is purely a preparation for the big one after all.

 

[Miburo]

It's not just a preparation for Froome and Contador. You don't know them really well (as cyclists) if you think that.

Especially since they're facing each other, they both wanna win this really badly.

 

[SeriousSam]

You're basing this on 2014, but the circumstances were very different than they are now. Contador was bouncing back from a bad year and wanted to see where he's at against the dominant 2013 Tour champion, Froome produced some comically insecure riding, presumably to back up his 2013 success. He has since calmed down, Contador has since restablished himself as a grand great tour rider. And Quintana has since become Froome's most dangerous foe, with Froome not overly bothered when he got the better of him at Romandie.

Froome will be approaching the Dauphine as prep, with nothing to prove, with Armstrongian composure.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Which means Alberto will win his first Dauphiné. And with that boost of confidence, he'll win the Tour the France too, his 26th and 27th stage race win of his career. Getting closer and closer to the magical number of 30.

 

[Brullnux]

Re:

Which means Alberto will win his first Dauphiné. And with that boost of confidence, he'll win the Tour the France too, his 26th and 27th stage race win of his career. Getting closer and closer to the magical number of 30.

I wanna see Flo's face when he wins his 30th stage race: The Abu Dhabi Tour

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Which means Alberto will win his first Dauphiné. And with that boost of confidence, he'll win the Tour the France too, his 26th and 27th stage race win of his career. Getting closer and closer to the magical number of 30.

I wanna see Flo's face when he wins his 30th stage race: The Abu Dhabi Tour

It might very well be the 100th Giro d'Italia

 

[Brullnux]

Re: Re:

Which means Alberto will win his first Dauphiné. And with that boost of confidence, he'll win the Tour the France too, his 26th and 27th stage race win of his career. Getting closer and closer to the magical number of 30.

I wanna see Flo's face when he wins his 30th stage race: The Abu Dhabi Tour

It might very well be the 100th Giro d'Italia

Yeah that would be nice. Very nice

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Which means Alberto will win his first Dauphiné. And with that boost of confidence, he'll win the Tour the France too, his 26th and 27th stage race win of his career. Getting closer and closer to the magical number of 30.

The little boost of confidence might be the thing he needs to get over the hump in July. I don't exactly think that will matter the slightest when he is out of breath on Ventoux or needs the final dig to drop Froome/Quintana

Real talk, some very steep gradients on a few stages. The prologue and Vaujany should definitely favour Contador over Froome, but there will be one, think Porte, who gets in their way. And how about Rodriguez for a stage or two?

 

[ILovecycling]

Re: Re:

Which means Alberto will win his first Dauphiné. And with that boost of confidence, he'll win the Tour the France too, his 26th and 27th stage race win of his career. Getting closer and closer to the magical number of 30.

The little boost of confidence might be the thing he needs to get over the hump in July. I don't exactly think that will matter the slightest when he is out of breath on Ventoux or needs the final dig to drop Froome/Quintana

Real talk, some very steep gradients on a few stages. The prologue and Vaujany should definitely favour Contador over Froome, but there will be one, think Porte, who gets in their way. And how about Rodriguez for a stage or two?

Have you ever ridden a long climb? If not,believe me that you need every little bit of confidence that you are feeling good,on a climb like Ventoux confidence is a key (confidence+legs=legs) esp when you are in a duel with Nairo or Chris

 

[Põhja Konn]

Re:

It's not just a preparation for Froome and Contador. You don't know them really well (as cyclists) if you think that.

Especially since they're facing each other, they both wanna win this really badly.

Both have approached it as such in the past already. Contador in 2009 and 10, Froome last year. Facing off directly against each other gives it an ounce of unpredictabily, but I seriously doubt either of them will do anything that could jeopardise the Tour form in order to get one over a rival during the Dauphine.

 

[dacooley]

willingness to make predictions solely based on wishes and dreams is priceless