Critérium du Dauphiné 2014: Stage 8, Megève - Courchevel Le Praz (131.5 km)

[Linkinito]

Critérium du Dauphiné 2014: Stage 8, Megève - Courchevel Le Praz (131.5 km)

Stage profile:

Km 16.5 - Côte de Domancy - 2.5 km @ 9.6% - Cat. 2
Km 47.0 - Col des Saisies - 13.4 km @ 5.2% - Cat. 1

Final climbs:

Domancy or Saisies will probably launch the breakaway. The long flat part might disadvantage them though, even if the final climbs look easy. And of course, it's gonna be a nice battle between Contador and Froome for the Critérium victory. There's an 8 second-lead for Contador, will he hold it?

 

[TANK91]

Is the bonus 10, 6, 4?. Sky should keep it together ad Froome should take it up with about 2.5 to go. Contador will win his 1st Dauphinee i think.

 

[Arkaitz]

Contador wins the stage and the first Dauphiné of his career, Hesjedal 2nd and Froome 3rd.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Can't see how a semi injured alien can beat the predator right now. ACs first Dauphine victory

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I like to see the GC contenders battling for the stage win please.

 

[webbie146]

Contador to just follow Froome, out-sprint him at the end.

 

[gooner]

How is the average gradient to Courcheval only 6.2%?

It doesn't look that when you look at the gradient for each km.

 

[SafeBet]

Saxo will be happy to let the break take it.
So another win for Westra.

 

[jaylew]

AC to sit in Froome's wheel and Froome is unable to drop him. AC only attacks near the end if they're fighting for the stage, which will be up to Sky. Do they let a break go or is this win important enough to them (and do they feel Froome has the legs) to keep the bonus seconds in play?

 

[fantomas]

Froome to launch a stage 2 like attack around 4K. Contador to stay in his wheel to the finish line and win the race with a 4 sec margin.

 

[classicomano]

Westra to go on a solo rampage and secure the overall victory.

 

[ILovecycling]

Froome and Contador to finish together after another peyresourde like exhibition,breakaway to take stage,Riis is smart enough

 

[Eclipse]

Westra to go on a solo rampage and secure the overall victory.

I'm not sure Westra will have enough energy left to even rampage down to breakfast tomorrow.

 

[MBotero]

Froome will try,let's see if he can do it.Contador looked better today,but tomorrow is a new day.I hope at least for some little digs like in stage 2

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Froome is done I think, instead Talansky should engage his team and go for the win and perhaps even overtake Froome.

It requires aggressive racing.

Game on.

 

[indianfanboy]

Sky will definetely take control of the peloton as Froome will want the bonus seconds..Froome will put up a fight for sure..Team sky will wind it up around 3k mark for froome to go *** and than Contador will follow and come around froome in the last km to take the win and the Dauphine

 

[Cimber]

This stage suits Froome better that Berto. Shorter climb and less steep that today

 

[hiero2]

I'm not sure Westra will have enough energy left to even rampage down to breakfast tomorrow.

I don't think I've ever seen a rider look more done in and cooked on the line. He looked positively helpless once he stopped.

I know one thing - I'll be watching Sunday's stage.

 

[hiero2]

This stage suits Froome better that Berto. Shorter climb and less steep that today

But he's going to have to drop him AND create a gap.

Should be a stage to watch!

 

[pigoonse]

Berto will not relinquish the lead. Alberto Contador FTW.

 

[murali]

Another win for the break. I still hope for a Voeckler win.
Westra has been in the break for 2 consecutive days. i dont think he will attack in this stage.
Europcar, IAM, OPQS, will be in every move tomorrow.


the two cat 1 climbs are not enough for a *** attack. We can expect Sky to still lead the peloton though.

 

[ILovecycling]

I don't think I've ever seen a rider look more done in and cooked on the line. He looked positively helpless once he stopped.

I know one thing - I'll be watching Sunday's stage.

 

[johnymax]

Katusha to attack again and redeem themselves. Looking forward to see the battle between Bertie and Froomie.

 

[Fzotrlool]

Katusha to attack again and redeem themselves. Looking forward to see the battle between Bertie and Froomie.

Moreno? Last chance for him before the Vuelta.

Talansky to win tomorrow.

 

[Jspear]

I'm thinking a breakaway will take this stage. Who will win? No clue. I just don't think it'll be the GC guys...although I'd love to be wrong. I think Sky will try really hard, but Contador will at the least come in with the same time as Froome. If AC doesn't come in with Froome it will be ahead of him not behind.