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

[Publicus]

Re: Re:

When Contador says he is only thinking about the Tour and its only preparation, we all know what will happen. He might as well tell the truth, that way, it will be much harder to predict what will happen - is he actually telling the truth or lying?

Contador ahead of Porte and Froomey.

Nostradamus strikes again.

Seriously tho, Bertie is soooooo predictable. Gosh, Bertie, I can't stop to admire you on a day like this, but make it harder.

I'm pretty sure he said he was going to go full gas here, but that he's not focused on winning the overall. If it comes, so be it, but unless we see him covering multiple attacks from Porte and other Sky riders (other than Froome), then I'd say he wasn't sandbagging on this one.

 

[This Charming Man]

Allaphillipe, Tour of California winner, set on pouncing in this years tour! Great all around GT rider!

 

[This Charming Man]

Re:

Again with Porte and the "dream" to see him on the podium of a GT ?!!

Porte, like TJ VanGarten, will never win a GT, not in their DNA.

 

[Pricey_sky]

A great TT from Contador, he's extremely strong at these types of hilly TT's. Froome was ok, he'd have liked to have been a little closer I suppose but Sky have a couple of call extra cards to play.

Yet again Porte shows just how good he can be in week long stage races. He will be a threat for the GC here on this showing.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

Being objetive, that is the reallity so far, maybe Contador is superstrong and he can win le Tour, but today performance is not a surprise, and even when Froome has beated him very clearly Contador did performances like today.

Certainly not in 2013... If I remember correctly Alberto lost time to Froome already on the first MTN stage to Valmorel in Dauphine 2013. With the shape Alberto is displaying at the moment, that would never happen again.

I just said that maybe contador is to win le Tour, but toay he ha just showe the same that that day in 2013... So what some people answered me i not in cotradition as what i said...

Today he was very strong, even in not top shape, but anything change for this, he do this things even when neededn Kreuziger and Nieve to be 4 th of le Tour.

Of course if he drop Froome in Dauphine, both of them in similar shape, it would say much more.. although the important is le Tour.

 

[This Charming Man]

Re: Re:

Being objetive, that is the reallity so far, maybe Contador is superstrong and he can win le Tour, but today performance is not a surprise, and even when Froome has beated him very clearly Contador did performances like today.

Certainly not in 2013... If I remember correctly Alberto lost time to Froome already on the first MTN stage to Valmorel in Dauphine 2013. With the shape Alberto is displaying at the moment, that would never happen again.

I just said that maybe contador is to win le Tour, but toay he ha just showe the same that that day in 2013... So what some people answered me i not in cotradition as what i said...

Today he was very strong, even in not top shape, but anything change for this, he do this things even when neededn Kreuziger and Nieve to be 4 th of le Tour.

Of course if he drop Froome in Dauphine, both of them in similar shape, it would say much more.. although the important is le Tour.

Unfortunate that Kruetzingwer and Nieve are not allowed to ride for their own ambitions.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re: Re:

A snippet from Contador's post-race interview:

“It was a very hard time trial, especially from km 2 to 1km to go. I've tried to speed up but it was hard to change rhythm. The climb suited me really well. I knew I could time trial well on this course but I didn't know if I was able to win it. I started flat out and I had good legs. I didn't expect to win but I can't say it's a surprise to beat Chris Froome. It's just been a perfect day and I'll take the race day by day from now on. The time gaps are very small and Team Sky came to the Dauphiné for winning. They even have four or five different riders able to win the overall classification. It would be complicated for my team to control the race from now till the end and it would be too demanding. My goal remains to prepare for the Tour de France more than the overall classification of the Dauphiné.”

I wonder if he was asked if he was surprised he beat Froome....

Honestly tho is anyone actually surprised that he beat Froome? Froome has yet to take the crown from Contador untill that actually happens we can talk about beeing surprised. And NO non objective Froome fans, beating a tired Contador who just had won the giro does not count.

Yet to take the crown? Contador hasn't won the Tour in six years while Froome has won it twice in three years. Froome is clearly the guy to beat now.

 

[Oliwright]

I added up all the times from all the riders to calculate the best climbing teams not just based off the 1st 3 riders from each.

Placing to the left is from aggregate time off all riders
Placing to the right is the normal team clasification
Results:
1st Sky: 0:00 1st
2nd Tinkoff: 0:27 4th
3rd AG2R: 1:02 8th
4th Movistar 1:32 9th
5th BMC 1:58 2nd
6th Data 2:28 11th
7th Astana 2:48 5th
8th Direct E 3:28 18th
9th Ettix 4:06 2nd
10th Lampre 4:28 6th
11th Orica 4:58 7th
12th Cannondale 5:06 16th
13th FDJ 5:51 10th
14th Lotto Soudal 6:14 14th
15th Wanty Group 6:47 17th
16th Trek 8:20 12th
17th Bora 9:14 13th
18th Katusha 10:10 20th
19th Giant 10:25 22nd
20th Cofidis 10:55 19th
21st IAM 11:33 15th
22nd Lotto NLJ 12:17 21st

Sky clearly are stronger overall in depth, AG2R are a surprise, IAM have sent all their best riders to the TDS since it's their home race.

Makes for interesting Climbing depth comparison.

 

[perico]

Re: Re:

A snippet from Contador's post-race interview:

“It was a very hard time trial, especially from km 2 to 1km to go. I've tried to speed up but it was hard to change rhythm. The climb suited me really well. I knew I could time trial well on this course but I didn't know if I was able to win it. I started flat out and I had good legs. I didn't expect to win but I can't say it's a surprise to beat Chris Froome. It's just been a perfect day and I'll take the race day by day from now on. The time gaps are very small and Team Sky came to the Dauphiné for winning. They even have four or five different riders able to win the overall classification. It would be complicated for my team to control the race from now till the end and it would be too demanding. My goal remains to prepare for the Tour de France more than the overall classification of the Dauphiné.”

I think that was referring to overall resume. Contador has won 3 GTs since Froome became a top GC rider.

I wonder if he was asked if he was surprised he beat Froome....

Honestly tho is anyone actually surprised that he beat Froome? Froome has yet to take the crown from Contador untill that actually happens we can talk about beeing surprised. And NO non objective Froome fans, beating a tired Contador who just had won the giro does not count.

Yet to take the crown? Contador hasn't won the Tour in six years while Froome has won it twice in three years. Froome is clearly the guy to beat now.

I think that was referring to overall resume. Contador has won 3 GTs since Froome became a top GC rider, but I agree.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

When Contador says he is only thinking about the Tour and its only preparation, we all know what will happen. He might as well tell the truth, that way, it will be much harder to predict what will happen - is he actually telling the truth or lying?

Contador ahead of Porte and Froomey.

Nostradamus strikes again.

Seriously tho, Bertie is soooooo predictable. Gosh, Bertie, I can't stop to admire you on a day like this, but make it harder.

I'm pretty sure he said he was going to go full gas here, but that he's not focused on winning the overall. If it comes, so be it, but unless we see him covering multiple attacks from Porte and other Sky riders (other than Froome), then I'd say he wasn't sandbagging on this one.

Not in the two interviews I read, obviously, he would take the win if it presented itself and go all out, but he likes to downplay himself like this and when he does, serious stuff is up. The master of deceiving, at least, the master of trying to.

But what a performance, chapeau. Always funny when its Froome who has to make up time, makes for a super good race.

 

[Oliwright]

Re:

The reality is that this Froome v Contador thing is so stupid, fact is in reality Froome v Contador going head to head equal terms Contador has always gotten the better of him and once again did today (and this is despite Contador not beeing at this best career wice so that alone should just tell you everything you need) all Froome can show for is beating a Contador who just won the Giro so in all fairness guys regardless of this will hurt someone or not thats just the facts based by the results! I mean its not exactly hard to figure out... Untill it actually happens then chapeau Froome I myself think that will be Quintana if its gonne be anyone before he retires.

2013 Tour De France?

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Being objetive, that is the reallity so far, maybe Contador is superstrong and he can win le Tour, but today performance is not a surprise, and even when Froome has beated him very clearly Contador did performances like today.

Certainly not in 2013... If I remember correctly Alberto lost time to Froome already on the first MTN stage to Valmorel in Dauphine 2013. With the shape Alberto is displaying at the moment, that would never happen again.

I just said that maybe contador is to win le Tour, but toay he ha just showe the same that that day in 2013... So what some people answered me i not in cotradition as what i said...

Today he was very strong, even in not top shape, but anything change for this, he do this things even when neededn Kreuziger and Nieve to be 4 th of le Tour.

Of course if he drop Froome in Dauphine, both of them in similar shape, it would say much more.. although the important is le Tour.

The Dauphine is not the Tour as you say neither is the Vuelta or the Giro. They are all different races but the Tour is the one everyone wants and has the most pressure. I don't see Contador winning the Tour. His team is nothing special, Michael Rogers has retired who was the road captain and important to the team. I don't believe anything Contador says to the press either. He is always playing head games with other riders.

 

[Gigs_98]

I'm actually not surprised at all by this result. Contador is a monster in this sort of stages and anything but a win would have been a bit disappointment for me. IMO only the last three stages (and maybe stage 2 depending on if anyone will try a serious attack and when) can really show how strong Froome and Contador are. But at least it doesnt look as if one of the two is way worse than the other one, so it should at least be interesting.

 

[Miburo]

Contador isn't a monster at this. He's at his absolute best in hilly ITT. This wasn't really like that.

But an ITT with some ascents and descents. That's where he's at his absolute best imo.

 

[Oliwright]

Re:

Contador isn't a monster at this. He's at his absolute best in hilly ITT. This wasn't really like that.

But an ITT with some ascents and descents. That's where he's at his absolute best imo.

You under estimate Froome, when they last both have a good run up to the event in 2013 in the hilly TT Froome won.

Yes he lost in 2014 but he clearly wasn't in his best form at that race.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Contador isn't a monster at this. He's at his absolute best in hilly ITT. This wasn't really like that.

But an ITT with some ascents and descents. That's where he's at his absolute best imo.

You under estimate Froome, when they last both have a good run up to the event in 2013 in the hilly TT Froome won.

Yes he lost in 2014 but he clearly wasn't in his best form at that race.

He didn't even mention Froome; how do you conclude he has underestimated him?

 

[ILovecycling]

Re:

So who said people were underrating Porte huh? xD

I will eat my shoes ,but after the 3rd week tdf

 

[bassano]

Re: Re:

This is the sort of performance from Lil'Richie here that riders like Aru and Pinot just haven't shown they're capable of, and is why he is in a tier with them for the Tour despite his lacking consistency

Exactly if Porte can be consistent his besides t is so much higher then those two

Difference is that Aru has actually won a GT and podiums in 2 or 3 others. Porte had a Top 10 like 6 years ago.

It is just a question of luck and bad luck in these cases.

how you can say rubbish like that
3 podiums from Aru and constant fail from porte is not luck it is not single exception it is lot of cases is just simply that porte is not consistent GT rider and that´s it, Aru is another league and if Porte can be consistent is really big IF one good stage/year in TDF does not make him podium contender

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Contador isn't a monster at this. He's at his absolute best in hilly ITT. This wasn't really like that.

But an ITT with some ascents and descents. That's where he's at his absolute best imo.

IIrc if he is strong in hilly TT's its at the beginning on the first climb, like in the PV ITT, or the hilly tdf ITT 2013 where he started faster than Froome. So I assume that he is extremely strong in TT's with a climb right at the beginning like here, and while here the stage was over at the top he lost quite some time in the PV TT after the climb (Tbh mostly due to a careful descent, but also afterwards). Another example would be the Nevegal MTT in the giro 2011, also a short but steep climb where he completely smashed the opposition (the time gap between him and 2nd place was bigger than between 2nd and 11th)

 

[ILovecycling]

Re:

A snippet from Contador's post-race interview:

“It was a very hard time trial, especially from km 2 to 1km to go. I've tried to speed up but it was hard to change rhythm. The climb suited me really well. I knew I could time trial well on this course but I didn't know if I was able to win it. I started flat out and I had good legs. I didn't expect to win but I can't say it's a surprise to beat Chris Froome. It's just been a perfect day and I'll take the race day by day from now on. The time gaps are very small and Team Sky came to the Dauphiné for winning. They even have four or five different riders able to win the overall classification. It would be complicated for my team to control the race from now till the end and it would be too demanding. My goal remains to prepare for the Tour de France more than the overall classification of the Dauphiné.”

I wonder if he was asked if he was surprised he beat Froome....

Yes,the interviewer asked him that exact question

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I love how a uphill prologue a month before the TDF can stir up so much discussion

relax dudes, says nothing for the Tour

 

[portugal11]

I only see this now... purito lost more than a minute to contador... i think he won't even make top10 in le tour... so sad

 

[BlurryVII]

Re: Re:

Contador isn't a monster at this. He's at his absolute best in hilly ITT. This wasn't really like that.

But an ITT with some ascents and descents. That's where he's at his absolute best imo.

You under estimate Froome, when they last both have a good run up to the event in 2013 in the hilly TT Froome won.

Yes he lost in 2014 but he clearly wasn't in his best form at that race.

Contador wasn't either in 2013, his worst season since 06'.

And he was not in top form at the Vuelta 2014 either lol

 

[rghysens]

Re: Re:

This is the sort of performance from Lil'Richie here that riders like Aru and Pinot just haven't shown they're capable of, and is why he is in a tier with them for the Tour despite his lacking consistency

Exactly if Porte can be consistent his besides t is so much higher then those two

Difference is that Aru has actually won a GT and podiums in 2 or 3 others. Porte had a Top 10 like 6 years ago.

It is just a question of luck and bad luck in these cases.

Yeah, Porte was lucky to be in the right breakaway in the 2010 Giro, or he wouldn't even had that top 10.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

I only see this now... purito lost more than a minute to contador... i think he won't even make top10 in le tour... so sad

Read many of your posts, seems you just got into cycling 1-2 years ago.

So let me explain how this goes down. Rodriguez sucks at the Dauphine. One year, he didn't which was the year he came straight outta the Giro with good legs and bagged 2 stage wins. In 2013, where he was the 3rd best rider in the race (the Tour, that is) he was bad (2012 and 2013 can be considered his prime) and finished around 15th if I remember correctly. In 2015, he was respectable in Dauphine - then he beasted Huy on the 3rd day and won on Beille from a break consisting of Bardet and Fuglsang, no slouches, in Le Tour.

Basically, Dauphine is not under any circumstances a good measuring stick for how good Rodriguez will be in July. It is to a much greater extent to fx. Contador, post-ban.