Critérium du Dauphiné 2014: Stage 4, Montélimar - Gap 167.5 km

[Netserk]

I think Nibali will make a move on the descent, I doubt Contador will take much risks.

 

[MBotero]

Froomes a average descender, he really hasn't done much to prove he is a great descender. But hasn't done anything to prove an awful descender either. If he did attack on the descent he would show himself to be better then average.

A large part of descending is how much of a chance a rider is willing to take. That's one area where I think we would more often see Nibali and Contador above froome in.

Yes descending is all about taking more risks then your opponent and this Froome doesn't show it yet.Of course all these 3 guys suck at descending ,there is only one Il Falco.

 

[ILovecycling]

Nibali ftw
Contador to ride it safe,and Froome should too,if not,he can injure himself

 

[Arkaitz]

Chavanel to win this.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I just don't see contenders taking big risks on the descents of the Dauphine. If it was the Tour then it would be a different story. IMHO.

While I agree we have some serious softness in the modern peloton, I see no reason why Kelderman shouldn't attack.

 

[Fight.The.Power]

Defo think Contador can put time into Froome on the descent. What was that hell-for-leather descent a few years ago with Contador and Samu Sanchez? I think it was TDF. One of my personal favourites.

 

[cineteq]

Where does that come from? You can see he descends in another way than other GC riders, imo

theyoungest once heard Ryo said that, then it became a myth

It's obvious to most that Nibali is technically the best descender of all GC riders right now. If it's fast and technical, he'll give it a try.

 

[del1962]

Nibali didn't make any time back on Spilak and Froome at Romandie on the descent, he is a better descender than Froome yes, but I think the differences are often exagerrated by some here

 

[Pentacycle]

theyoungest once heard Ryo said that, then it became a myth

It's obvious to most that Nibali is technically the best descender of all GC riders right now. If it's fast and technical, he'll give it a try.

It's not a myth that Nibali crashes more often than most GC riders, in descents.

 

[Netserk]

Has Andy ever crashed on a descent?

 

[Publicus]

I think Nibali will make a move on the descent, I doubt Contador will take much risks.

I agree that Nibali will attack on the climb and look to make time on the descent. Contador will only follow Froome (is my guess), so unless Froome follows the attack, I don't expect to see Contador put in any digs.

 

[qwerty16]

Yes descending is all about taking more risks then your opponent and this Froome doesn't show it yet.Of course all these 3 guys suck at descending ,there is only one Il Falco.

It isn't. Well, in Nibali's case it mainly is, which has resulted in having an above average crash rate. But the great descenders distinguish themselves by riding better lines and displaying a better technique while riding on, but not over, the limit.

 

[xanadu]

A 4th and a 2nd cat climb, i cant see the big boys coming out to play on a stage like this. Nibali might try something on the descent but apart from that me thinks the fireworks will be kept for later in the week.
There could well be a breakaway perhaps Jens Voigt might have a try .

 

[jens_attacks]

Has Andy ever crashed on a descent?

2007 giro but i don't remember the stage...or if it was a descent lol

 

[whittashau]

It's not a myth that Nibali crashes more often than most GC riders, in descents.

Il Falco crashed a bit too. Formula One drivers crash more often than I do as well. Riders that push the limits are more likely to crash.

 

[murali]

whats all this talk about froome contador nibbles and all...

tomorrow, there is going to be only one winner.

Tommy voeckler..... he will manage to overshoot every corner, but still manage to take the stage.(importantly forum wont crash)

 

[indianfanboy]

Wondering about Van Garderen's extraordinarily bad performance...it seems he had a small hip fracture from the crash in Romandie

 

[christopherrowe]

Wondering about Van Garderen's extraordinarily bad performance...it seems he had a small hip fracture from the crash in Romandie

Surely "extraordinarily bad" is a somewhat ungenerous characterization of his performance thus far, isn't it? He finished in the same bunch as most of the other riders today, including all the GC protagonists, and was top ten in the time trial. He only faltered on the climb in comparison to a double-handful of other riders, really, and as others have stated it seems to be his way to start slowly in the mountains. He's no longer a threat for the overall in the race, to be sure, but he doesn't have anything to be ashamed of to my way of thinking. If he's done all that with an injury, well, even more respect is due him.

 

[christopherrowe]

Wow, Thor's pulling out of the race.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Wow, Thor's pulling out of the race.

Hushovd has been on a highly paid vacation for the last 3 years. Lucky him.

I think its time to quit pro cycling when his contract expires this year.

 

[indianfanboy]

Surely "extraordinarily bad" is a somewhat ungenerous characterization of his performance thus far, isn't it? He finished in the same bunch as most of the other riders today, including all the GC protagonists, and was top ten in the time trial. He only faltered on the climb in comparison to a double-handful of other riders, really, and as others have stated it seems to be his way to start slowly in the mountains. He's no longer a threat for the overall in the race, to be sure, but he doesn't have anything to be ashamed of to my way of thinking. If he's done all that with an injury, well, even more respect is due him.

well there were a lot of opinions that Van Garderen would not perform well n the Tour,may be he will be a contender for a top 5 if he can show his Catalunya climbing form and the last 50km time trial suits him very well

 

[jens_attacks]

Christina watches should be all over him.
thor that is

 

[indianfanboy]

Hushovd has been on a highly paid vacation for the last 3 years. Lucky him.

I think its time to quit pro cycling when his contract expires this year.

Seeing his performance in Roubaix i thought he was back to his old self...some thing is certainly hampering him or maybe he is too old

 

[Rollthedice]

What if Froome attacks on the climb and passes first the col? They will all come together to Gap. Sprint finish.

 

[indianfanboy]

What if Froome attacks on the climb and passes first the col? They will all come together to Gap. Sprint finish.

I dont think Froome would attack it would leave him vulnerable against Contador and Nibali in the descent...i think he will make Geraint Thomas set a nice fast tempo let his team control the descent