March 26-27 - 2016 Critérium International - 2.HC

May 17, 2013
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March 26-27 - 2016 Critérium International - 2.HC

Until ’79, the race was called “Critérium National de la Route”. It was a spring race for French riders that set the stage for the season with bragging rights at stake. Things changed in ’79 with an international field and Joop Zoetemelk prevailing over Bernard Hinault. In its new format, the Critérium International has attracted many great champions over the years: winners include Hinault, Fignon, Kelly, Roche, Indurain, Jalabert, Olano, Basso, Evans, and Froome…not to forget five-time winner, the great Jens Voigt :D . Since ’10, the race has been taking place in Corsica.

Two-time defending champion Jean-Christophe Pérault will go for the hat-trick. In ’15, his attack on the final climb of Stage 3, the Col de l’Ospedale, proved to be the winning move. A disappointed Thibaut Pinot finished second and Fabio Felline rounded the podium.

STAGE 1
The first of the two Saturday stages is a short but hilly course, quite flat towards the finish. Marked as a sprinters stage, attackers have a shot. Ben King proved it last year.



STAGE 2
On the 7km course, Fabio Felline triumphed last year, beating Bob Jungels by one second, and Pinot by six seconds. Jérôme Coppel will want to win this one.



STAGE 3
Sunday’s showdown on U Spidali, the Col de l’Ospedale, will be Thibaut Pinot’s opportunity for redemption. Last year, AG2R ganged up against him and he was slow to react when JCP went away. 14.1 km @ 6.2% may not look like much, but km 13 proposes a challenging 10.4% gradient.


Start List:
http://www.letour.fr/criterium-international/2016/us/riders.html

After very good showings at the Volta Ao Algarve and at Tirreno-Adriatico, will Thibaut Pinot avenge last year’s disappointment and win for the first time in ’16?
 
Mar 19, 2009
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I feel like this race used to have a better field.

I'll say:

Jens
Pinot
Coppel
 
Oct 16, 2012
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Re:

robin440 said:
watch out for kämna!!

Finally he gets a start this season, he is still young though so lets not put too much expectation on him his season
 
Mar 14, 2016
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The quality of the field in the Critérium International has nosedived over the last couple of years.
 
May 17, 2013
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CheckMyPecs said:
The quality of the field in the Critérium International has nosedived over the last couple of years.
Yep, since it moved to Corsica basically. Far from where the spring action is. Charleville-Mezieres was much better in that respect. BTW, this should be the last year in Corsica. I'd love to see it in the St-Jean-Pied-de-Port area. It would be an alternative to Catalunya, a good prep for Pais Vasco. And the MTF stage could be a monster ;) .
 
Aug 3, 2015
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Yeah, Pinot should win pretty convincingly here since it seems he have taken another step this year. Otherwise, its not too good. Im also a bit surprised he didn't chose to ride Catalunya with the route being what it is, he would have good chances of at least top-3.
 
Dec 28, 2010
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del1962 said:
robin440 said:
watch out for kämna!!

Finally he gets a start this season, he is still young though so lets not put too much expectation on him his season

He did some races in Croatia a couple of weeks ago, but was struggling with a cold.

I reckon this race will be between Pinot, Peraud and one of the Cannondales, with Pinot as the overwhelming favourite to finally win it.
 
Mar 14, 2016
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Tonton said:
CheckMyPecs said:
The quality of the field in the Critérium International has nosedived over the last couple of years.
Yep, since it moved to Corsica basically. Far from where the spring action is. Charleville-Mezieres was much better in that respect. BTW, this should be the last year in Corsica. I'd love to see it in the St-Jean-Pied-de-Port area. It would be an alternative to Catalunya, a good prep for Pais Vasco. And the MTF stage could be a monster ;) .
While that may play a part, the first two editions in Corsica did have a strong field. E.g. Evans and Wiggins won the race.
 
May 17, 2013
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The race was moved there in '10 after the announcement (in '09) that the TdF would start from Corsica for the 100th edition. That was the sales pitch and explains the presence of big guns (i.e. Froome in '13) on what was said to be part of the upcoming TdF course. Note that after '13...nose dive.
 
Jul 2, 2011
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how's Peraud doing this year, might Gautier and Voeckler have a chance, and will Roland finally show something this year?
 
Jul 2, 2011
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Ricco' said:
Lexman said:
how's Peraud doing this year, might Gautier and Voeckler have a chance, and will Roland finally show something this year?

He looked good in Tirreno - Adriatico until that awful time trial.

I asked about 4 riders, which one are you referring to?