Criterium du Dauphine 2014: Stage 3, Ambert - Le Teil 194 km

[Eyeballs Out]

After what happened in the Giro when FDJ and Trek blew a win by playing poker I think this time they will work together and it will be a sprint. Demare no certainty to win the sprint though, he's been beaten plenty of times this season by sprinters around Nizzolo's level

 

[christopherrowe]

Demare no certainty to win the sprint though, he's been beaten plenty of times this season by sprinters around Nizzolo's level

Sure, there are no certainties in sprinting or any other aspect of the sport. But the only rider who has beaten Demare in a straight up all together now bunch sprint for the win since Scheldeprijs is Bryan Coquard, and he's doing Tour de Suisse, for whatever that's worth (and Demare beat Coquard twice after that, I think). Anyway, you could say the same thing in reverse, couldn't you? Nizzolo has been beaten plenty of times this season by sprinters around Demare's level?

Should it come down to a sprint, I still say the smart money's on Demare. But of course, I've never been smart with money.

 

[jaylew]

But the only rider who has beaten Demare in a straight up all together now bunch sprint for the win since Scheldeprijs is Bryan Coquard,

True, but that's also the only good sprinter he's faced during that period. Picardie and Dunkirk weren't exactly sprinter hotbeds.

 

[christopherrowe]

True, but that's also the only good sprinter he's faced during that period. Picardie and Dunkirk weren't exactly sprinter hotbeds.

Which kind of makes those races like this one, I guess.

 

[wirral]

Demare gets found out today. Beaten by Nizzolo. Nizzolo regularly beaten by Bouhanni. Madiot pooh-poohs this result as an anomaly. Madiot sends Demare to the Tour. Bouhanni fumes like a Chinese power plant. Bouhanni goes to ..........

I will let someone else finish this off.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I'd put Howard and Hushovd ahead of a couple of those guys but yeah, it's a really weak sprint field. Nizzolo ftw if we get a field sprint.

Yep. I have to agree. Nizzolo for the win.

Bouhanni to the vaporware Team Alonso.

 

[jaylew]

Demare gets found out today. Beaten by Nizzolo. Nizzolo regularly beaten by Bouhanni. Madiot pooh-poohs this result as an anomaly. Madiot sends Demare to the Tour. Bouhanni fumes like a Chinese power plant. Bouhanni goes to ..........

I will let someone else finish this off.

Yes, this.

Which kind of makes those races like this one, I guess.

True.

 

[SiAp1984]

Froome will try to win the sprint and he'll obviously say something ridiculous if he doesn't win

You mean like AC usually does?

 

[sittingbison]

Gentle(wo)men,
just a little friendly reminder to take ANY reference to drugs to the Clinic...including nicknames.

cheers
bison

 

[Dazed and Confused]

A bit of a Voeckler fan myself but that pancake flat run into the finish will have the sprinters licking their lips. Gotta think their teams will be all over a serial escapee like Voeckler with a finish as sprinter friendly as this one.
Besides Voeckler climbed well yesterday and is riding high in the GC, the peloton wont let him don the leaders jersey, once he gets one of those yellow bibs he wont give it back.

Yep, Voeckler isn't in play today.

Gotta go much deeper in GC to find a likely break winner.

 

[murali]

i wish this thread had a poll....

would hav been nice to know how many back nizzolo ftw.

 

[manafana]

There off really early with these early finishes. I am off to a metting so likely I will be catching this on replay before tennis tonight. Seems interesting route to ride , maybe 10km less of flat or a late bump would have indeed brought a nice balance.

 

[Butterhead]

Well, I guess Thor HAVE to show something now, he rides for a new contract with a new team, and he have nothing to offer.

He have to do something today, either he goes out on a break and hopes the best, or takes the chance in the bunch, but when was the last time he won a bunch sprint... yep thats right!, -not today either.

Demare FTW

 

[Lexman]

Sanz & Tsatevich might also contend for the top10 placings tomorrow. But Demare is the man to beat, no doubt!

1.Demare
2.Nizzolo
3.Meersman (pretty disappointing the last couple of months)
4.Sanz
5.Howard/Impey

Meersman is getting back in action since his awful crash at Paris-Nice!!!

 

[MBotero]

Thor for the win,the guy must deliver so he ends up at a good team.

 

[Roude Leiw]

Perfect break for fdj / trek to control, 3 man up the road, no powerhouse rouleur in there.

 

[BeagRigh]

Perfect break for fdj / trek to control, 3 man up the road, no powerhouse rouleur in there.

Agree, think I will tune in for last 5km.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Perfect break for fdj / trek to control, 3 man up the road, no powerhouse rouleur in there.

ah right, Demare FTW.

 

[King Boonen]

What odds can I get on Froome taking this one?

 

[GuyIncognito]

What odds can I get on Froome taking this one?

That would be some Dufaux Romandie 98 **** right there

 

[murali]

What odds can I get on Froome taking this one?

forum crash

 

[Der Effe]

Nizzolo crash

 

[Arredondo]

Nizzolo surely is out

Looks like he broken his wrist.

 

[Akuryo]

This was the only stage where he had a chance and now this. Always second during the Giro and now he crashes out of contention. I really hope he can recover quickly.

 

[Der Effe]

Lol not only is the Eurosport commentary the worst in the history of TV, they also decided Saturday's stage won't be broadcasted due to the 24 hours of Le Mans. I mean, I know there's other sports apart from cycling but this is the most boring event in the most boring 'sport' on earth (apart from rally, which is awesome obviously). Seriously, who cares about a bunch of thicko's doing rounds for 24 hrs in something which supposedly is a car?

Just had to share my frustration