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

[Poursuivant]

What's Skys plan though? They are dragging Contador up to Talansky which is a good thing for Contador. Maybe Froome feels good.

 

[Kazistuta]

Beltran has really disappointed this Dauphine... no Hernandez as well, maybe a sign he's not getting the job done anymore?

 

[cineteq]

Ticker
14:43 Front group at Les Saisies
The front group is at col des Saisies, 2.35 ahead of the chasing group led by four riders from Team Sky. Alberto Contador follows the move but is left with no team-mate.

 

[GuyIncognito]

can anyone tell how the **** a break like this could happen?

Tinkoff's A team is elsewhere, Contador has scrubs. Every other team had riders in the break

 

[roundabout]

So we got 3 SKY guys on first group and 4 SKY guys in the second group

I think it's 2-5 now as Porte has dropped back.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

I'm not quite comfortable saying this, but this will be a petty epic tactical move by Sky if it works out well.

Seriously, Sky will have Froome, Pate, Thomas, Kiryienka, Porte, Lopez Garcia and Nieve in the 'break', while Contador has no teammates.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

What's Skys plan though? They are dragging Contador up to Talansky which is a good thing for Contador. Maybe Froome feels good.

Froome wants to win races. Thats typically better for the entertainment.

I just don't like the excessive team strength.

 

[De Snelle Duif]

Westra and Bakelants have really switched into breakaway mode this Dauphiné, I love it.

 

[the sceptic]

I'm not qite comfortable saying this, but this will be a petty epic tactical move by Sky if it works out well.

Seriously, Sky will have Froome, Pate, Thomas, Kiryienka, Porte, Lopez Garcia and Nieve in the 'break', while Contador has no teammates.

but will they still ride a train up the final climb and let Contador hitch a ride?

 

[UpTheRoad]

What TTT power?

21.CONTADOR Alberto
22.VALGREN Michael
23.HERNáNDEZ Jesús
24.PAULINHO Sérgio
25.PIRES Bruno
26.SøRENSEN Nicki
27.BELTRAN Edward
28.SUTHERLAND Rory

can anyone tell how the **** a break like this could happen?

The post above yours explains Saxo. I think Sky did the right thing, as they have three in the break and have enough to support Froome in his Fuente De bridge attempt. Probably didn't think the other teams in the break would have the firepower they do, though.

 

[Sophistic]

I'm not qite comfortable saying this, but this will be a petty epic tactical move by Sky if it works out well.

Seriously, Sky will have Froome, Pate, Thomas, Kiryienka, Porte, Lopez Garcia and Nieve in the 'break', while Contador has no teammates.

no cause there are gc threats like talansky and vdb2 in the break, they are basically working for contador.

 

[Rollthedice]

What's Skys plan though? They are dragging Contador up to Talansky which is a good thing for Contador. Maybe Froome feels good.

Contador's team for Dauphine:

Nieve
Porte
Kyrienka
Thomas
Lopez
Pate

 

[sultanofhyd]

But all the tactics in the world are useless if Contador has the legs. The equation for him is simple. All he has to do is follow Froome, there is nothing Sky can do to unsettle him. Talansky is another matter.

 

[Eclipse]

What's Skys plan though? They are dragging Contador up to Talansky which is a good thing for Contador. Maybe Froome feels good.

Well they aren't riding for Talansky or to simply deny Contador a win lol.

They got Contador completely on his own for 80km and it presents them a chance to race for the win themselves. Sure he might defend it but at least they tried something, and they'll get more information on what kind of moves might work out during the Tour.

All I can say is if teams are racing like they have been at the Dauphine during the Tour we are going to be in for a treat.

 

[MBotero]

Contador's team for Dauphine:

Nieve
Porte
Kyrienka
Thomas
Lopez
Pate

Contador team looks very strong indeed

 

[Sophistic]

only reasonable tactic: froome to attack on the flat(with some help), get just a small gap before docking on porte & nieve.

 

[classicomano]

So who cares if Contador is alone? All he has to do is follow the Sky train.

 

[wirral]

Contador will be glued to Froome right now. I can't see but I know.

 

[Arkaitz]

The victory is in the breakaway.

 

[RiccoDinko]

Talansky turning the race upside down, love it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Contador's team for Dauphine:

Nieve
Porte
Kyrienka
Thomas
Lopez
Pate

Lol Very true. Contador can just ride the Sky train. Their bot instinct will make them ride on the front anyway.

 

[Kazistuta]

But all the tactics in the world are useless if Contador has the legs. The equation for him is simple. All he has to do is follow Froome, there is nothing Sky can do to unsettle him. Talansky is another matter.

QFT

But nevertheless Contador is extremely vulnerable right now, be it mechanicals, punctures, bidons etc. He has got noone to help him in his quest and he needs all his tactical sense to get through this.

 

[UpTheRoad]

But all the tactics in the world are useless if Contador has the legs. The equation for him is simple. All he has to do is follow Froome, there is nothing Sky can do to unsettle him. Talansky is another matter.

Not useless. If it comes together once again, Froome can attack and if it doesn't succeed he'll have support to be able to rest and go again. If Contador can counter, Froome will have support to chase.

Contador will just follow CF's wheel, but if Sky wants to win this is a good strategy, provided that Sky doesn't go into train mode if the chasers catch the break.

It does play into AC's strengths a bit more than Froome's, though, so it will be tough.

 

[rghysens]

But all the tactics in the world are useless if Contador has the legs.

...And no flat tire, in this situation.

 

[sultanofhyd]

And remember, the only reason Fuente De worked was because Purito didn't have the legs. Valverde did, and he finished right behind Contador.