Critérium du Dauphiné 2024, June 2 - 9

[Netserk]

If there's many very large images, it helps to resize them.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

To perform a service nobody wants?

I don't think I ever saw anybody complain about the profiles being readily present in a race thread OP.

I remember someone did it once, but I can't remember where or who.

 

[Potomac]

For the stages? I do this deliberately so people don't have to load 8 image profiles, and have a faster experience.

But we are already 8 pages in, so maybe now when people go to page 1, it's for the profiles. Right? That's why you ask it?

Thanks for creating the thread.

 

[Berniece]

If there's many very large images, it helps to resize them.

Which I did, jumping of page can be due to a lot of things.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

To perform a service nobody wants?

I want it. It's a lot more organised than a scrolling fest of stage and climb profiles.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I want it. It's a lot more organised than a scrolling fest of stage and climb profiles.

You should probably stay away from the Race Design thread then (although nowadays it's more of a scrolling fest of dead links).

 

[Extinction]

That would be disappointing, and I don’t see how he would close that gap by the time the TDF starts.

Yea, this is my feeling. He can't be way off the pace uphill at the Dauphine and have any GC expectations at the Tour. Realistically, I'd say Evenepoel needs to show strong (not winning) climbing performances in the Dauphine, win the TT and do top 5 GC and be on the upward form trajectory, to reasonably have high GC expectations at the Tour. Anything less and it's stage hunting in July.

 

[Berniece]

Yea, this is my feeling. He can't be way off the pace uphill at the Dauphine and have any GC expectations at the Tour. Realistically, I'd say Evenepoel needs to show strong (not winning) climbing performances in the Dauphine, win the TT and do top 5 GC and be on the upward form trajectory, to reasonably have high GC expectations at the Tour. Anything less and it's stage hunting in July.

I honestly see him stage hunting in such a state. If he can’t challenge for podium then what’s the point?

 

[Extinction]

I honestly see him stage hunting in such a state. If he can’t challenge for podium then what’s the point?

This would be another major setback to his career, however. On the other hand, I imagine the team perfectly knows well his numbers and what numbers are necessary to fight for yellow against top Jonas and Tadej, so maybe the Tour was always going to be for just a top placing or win some big stages.

 

[Berniece]

This would be another major setback to his career, however. On the other hand, I imagine the team perfectly knows well his numbers and what numbers are necessary to fight for yellow against top Jonas and Tadej, so maybe the Tour was always going to be for just a top placing or win some big stages.

Why a setback? He crashed and isn’t in top form. Why not going for KOM jersey and 4 TDF stages instead?

 

[Extinction]

Why a setback? He crashed and isn’t in top form. Why not going for KOM jersey and 4 TDF stages instead?

Because it's going to be his fifth GT and 3 of them, largely owing to previous big setbacks, ended badly. That's not good for a rider who was on world-beater trajectory back in 2020 in my opinion. With such a track record, again for a rider of his talent, to only be entering his first Tour now and not be in top shape because of the crash is clearly another major career setback.

 

[topcat]

I think for Evenepoel he needs to win or get 2nd behind Roglic to have a good Dauphine, and even then not lose by too much. And then they better be a lot better than the rest

Ca ne fait rien. He needs to have good sensations in CdD. He will be judged on his tour.

 

[Netserk]

I think for Evenepoel he needs to win or get 2nd behind Roglic to have a good Dauphine, and even then not lose by too much. And then they better be a lot better than the rest

I somewhat doubt Landa will be good here with the Vuelta in mind, so I think he'll have to fend for himself with Rogla on his wheel when Hindley attacks.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

I‘ve even seen Evenepoel quoted as saying that he‘s not mainly interested in GC at the Dauphiné, but I don‘t think they should write off the Tour (which I‘ve also read from Remco fans) if he doesn‘t perform here. Of course he‘s not going to intimidate Pogačar here or look like the prime favorite for the Tour if he doesn‘t fight for the win. But he still has three weeks to work on his form before the Tour after the Dauphiné. He seems to be one of the worst in the Peloton at injury and illness recovery, though if he can write off months of racing near his top level every time.

 

[houtdffan]

I‘ve even seen Evenepoel quoted as saying that he‘s not mainly interested in GC at the Dauphiné, but I don‘t think they should write off the Tour (which I‘ve also read from Remco fans) if he doesn‘t perform here. Of course he‘s not going to intimidate Pogačar here or look like the prime favorite for the Tour if he doesn‘t fight for the win. But he still has three weeks to work on his form before the Tour after the Dauphiné. He seems to be one of the worst in the Peloton at injury and illness recovery, though if he can write off months of racing near his top level every time.

he was not in the best shape before Suisse last year

he still podiumed and likely would have won had the fatal crash not occurred. Remember, he ended up pulling the parachute on that descent, which cost him the vast majority of his time

 

[Cookster15]

Really looking forward to this race. We get to see the form guide for several TdF contenders, plus the course looks amazing so should be a big test. Roglic to win.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

The crashes happened behind him did they not?

Yes they did, but that doesn‘t change what @houtdffan is saying because Evenepoel would supposedly gain back his deficit in the hilly stages and the time trial.

 

[Peyroteo94]

No Vingegaard means he is still very far from his best shape. 4 weeks to the Tour, 3 weeks if hard training, let's see if he can get ready

 

[roundabout]

The crashes happened behind him did they not?

I think Sheffield was ahead when he crashed.

 

[houtdffan]

The crashes happened behind him did they not?

he said he saw one of them

makes sense as he was only 5-10 seconds behind at the summit

 

[houtdffan]

Yes they did, but that doesn‘t change what @houtdffan is saying because Evenepoel would supposedly gain back his deficit in the hilly stages and the time trial.

that and he wouldn't have lost 30 seconds on the descent had he not pulled the parachute

 

[Netserk]

I think Sheffield was ahead when he crashed.

Yes, he crossed the top ~7" after Sheffield: http://www.climbing-records.com/2023/06/juan-ayuso-becomes-ultra-mythical.html

 

[Froome]

I‘ve even seen Evenepoel quoted as saying that he‘s not mainly interested in GC at the Dauphiné, but I don‘t think they should write off the Tour (which I‘ve also read from Remco fans) if he doesn‘t perform here. Of course he‘s not going to intimidate Pogačar here or look like the prime favorite for the Tour if he doesn‘t fight for the win. But he still has three weeks to work on his form before the Tour after the Dauphiné. He seems to be one of the worst in the Peloton at injury and illness recovery, though if he can write off months of racing near his top level every time.

Besides that, i continue to think is not a bad idea for a top rider start the Tour a bit cooked, and then improve in the first 2 weeks to be in top shape in the last 8 racing days/last week of the Tour.

We already saw some riders doing that in the past.

That's where all will be decided. Pla d'adet, Plateau de beile, super devoluy, bonette+ isola 2000, col couilolle, and the final ITT.

The Tour will be backloaded in the last 8 days.

 

[tobydawq]

Besides that, i continue to think is not a bad idea for a top rider start the Tour a bit cooked, and then improve in the first 2 weeks to be in top shape in the last 8 racing days/last week of the Tour.

We already saw some riders doing that in the past.

That's where all will be decided. Pla d'adet, Plateau de beile, super devoluy, bonette+ isola 2000, col couilolle, and the final ITT.

The Tour will be backloaded in the last 8 days.

You don't get fit during the Tour. If you're not fit at the beginning, you're ***. One of the rather annoying cycling myths.

 

[Netserk]

You don't get fit during the Tour. If you're not fit at the beginning, you're ***. One of the rather annoying cycling myths.

Plenty of riders have peaked for different weeks of GTs historically. Yes, in absolute terms too. Ugrumov '94 is a classic. Likewise Nibali '16.