Critérium du Dauphiné May 30-June 6 2021

[Devil's Elbow]

Meanwhile I'm shocked we're gonna go at least 4 years without Alpe d'Huez.

The sole positive effect of that Nibali incident.

Assuming that that is indeed the reason.

 

[Red Rick]

The sole positive effect of that Nibali incident.

*** I forgot to call it Brokeback Mountain again.

 

[roundabout]

I actually think Roglic should remain a co-leader but together with Van Aert instead. He could be a legitimate second option on this route and that may be necessary to beat Pogacar...

Not after the appendectomy . But maybe I am overestimating the impact of that.

 

[perico]

I’d forgotten 2016. I was thinking 2013. I know we haven’t climbed La Plagne since 2002. Amazing considering that climb is hard as well as it’s history. Luz Ardiden was a regular during the LeMond/Fignon/Roche/Delgado era. It disappeared after 2001 until 2011. It’s like Alpe d’huez. It’s a brutal stage when teamed up with the Tourmalet before it. Of course there are others like Superbagneres which we haven’t seen since 1989 (which has been rumored every so often but you never get a straight answer about the problem with the bridge) and the Granon (not as iconic but a beast of a climb).

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Meanwhile I'm shocked we're gonna go at least 4 years without Alpe d'Huez.

They'll probably find a way to fit three ascents of it into one stage next year to make ud for it.

 

[Red Rick]

I’d forgotten 2016. I was thinking 2013. I know we haven’t climbed La Plagne since 2002. Amazing considering that climb is hard as well as it’s history. Luz Ardiden was a regular during the LeMond/Fignon/Roche/Delgado era. It disappeared after 2001 until 2011. It’s like Alpe d’huez. It’s a brutal stage when teamed up with the Tourmalet before it. Of course there are others like Superbagneres which we haven’t seen since 1989 (which has been rumored every so often but you never get a straight answer about the problem with the bridge) and the Granon (not as iconic but a beast of a climb).

I love and fear Granon. It seems brilliant as a simple MTF stage as first Alpine stage but then ASO would probably butcher it and make it the queen stage at the back or some ***.

In reality, there's just so many options in the Alps that are underexplored that seeing the same tired, boring climbs always makes me sad. Also when they find something new, they often misuse something as just another HC MTF.

 

[Red Rick]

They'll probably find a way to fit three ascents of it into one stage next year to make ud for it.

Just climb all the way up the ski pistes.

 

[BlueRoads]

Is it possible for a mod to remove the poll (which was a bit silly to begin with) and add this picture as a header?

https://velovation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/IMG_9206.jpg

 

[will-10]

3 years since the last Colombiere/Romme, which did *** all the last time
2 years since we were supposed to get Tignes, previous time before that was 2007
5 years since Ventoux, last Ventoux descent was I dunno, in the 90s?
5 years since Andorra, including Beixalis
3 years since Col de Portet
10 years since Luz Ardiden, and for some reason I've thought it was Hautacam for months.

Colombiere/Romme was excellent in 2009 though.

I’d forgotten 2016. I was thinking 2013. I know we haven’t climbed La Plagne since 2002. Amazing considering that climb is hard as well as it’s history. Luz Ardiden was a regular during the LeMond/Fignon/Roche/Delgado era. It disappeared after 2001 until 2011. It’s like Alpe d’huez. It’s a brutal stage when teamed up with the Tourmalet before it. Of course there are others like Superbagneres which we haven’t seen since 1989 (which has been rumored every so often but you never get a straight answer about the problem with the bridge) and the Granon (not as iconic but a beast of a climb).

In hindsight that 2002 TdF route looks great. I remember that La Mongie/PdB double-header with Heras smoking everyone like it was yesterday...

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Just climb all the way up the ski pistes.

I'm sure Anton Palzer would call it a well balanced route

 

[Red Rick]

Is it possible for a mod to remove the poll (which was a bit silly to begin with) and add this picture as a header?

https://velovation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/IMG_9206.jpg

You can't edit the poll yourself?

 

[Pinot's goat]

I actually think Movistar has a chance of beating Ineos here.

 

[BlueRoads]

You can't edit the poll yourself?

I can change some things like how many answers are selectable, but not change the answers or remove the poll completely. Should I be able to?

 

[BlueRoads]

@Red Rick Thanks for the header!!

 

[Red Rick]

I can change some things like how many answers are selectable, but not change the answers or remove the poll completely. Should I be able to?

I don't always know cause I was already a mod before the software change.

 

[Bushman]

Curious to see if Vingegaard will continue his steady rise towards the top. The level he showed in Coppi e Bartali and obviously in Itzulia was very impressive, but we’re yet to see him on the big alpine climbs against an elite field. (I’m not neglecting his stage win in UAE tour, but he was not a threat gc wise and it was in February, afterall). Of course Jumbo will bring Kuss as well, but I’d imagine Vingegaard will be allowed to test himself and see how long he can hold on, at least for the first few mountain stages.

 

[BlueRoads]

Full startlist now available! Carapaz removed.

 

[Bonimenier]

It looks like Carapaz isn't riding here after all.

EDIT: sniped by BlueRoads

 

[Strawberry_Jams]

Full startlist now available! Carapaz removed.

seems to be doing suisse.

 

[Marco-Sun]

Do you know why Lennard Kämna is not in the Bora squad? Is he ill/ injured again or riding the TDS instead?

 

[tobydawq]

The sole positive effect of that Nibali incident.

Assuming that that is indeed the reason.

What is wrong with Alpe d'Huez?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

What is wrong with Alpe d'Huez?

It is/was heavily overused, and it has arguably the worst fans. I don't think there's a single finish that deserves to be used every other year, and while Huez isn't a bad finish in and of itself it also isn't top tier. Once every five or so years is plenty, IMO.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Honestly Alpe d' Huez gets a lot of *** and some people treat the climb as if the climb is bad in it self (which it isn't). I too dont have that much of a problem with the Alpe featuring every 2-3 years, its whatever as its one of the better MTFs in the race and is a really nice tourist destination where you always can consider to go, drink some beers and climb some of the most iconic climbs in the world and watch the race.

 

[Leinster]

It is/was heavily overused. I don't think there's a single finish that deserves to be used every other year, and while Huez isn't a bad finish in and of itself it also isn't top tier. Once every five or so years is plenty, IMO.

It’s always been pretty consistent in providing a genuine GC contest, some attacking riding, and a worthy stage winner. Even in the peak Skybot years, Froome had the good grace to have a hunger knock and get a time penalty.

 

[tobydawq]

Yeah, I also think it's a bit of the usual reactionary stuff that when something is popular it must be bad that's going on here. The only problem I see with the climb is the hazards posed by the spectators. Guerini and Nibali may be alone in actually having collided with them but that must just be a question of time because too many people get too drunk on that climb.