Official thread: le Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré

[Jamsque]

Ooof, close on the line.

[edit]Actually, upon seeing the helicopter shot, it wasn't as close as I thought. This must be Milram's best result of the season.

 

[Zoncolan]

Ooof, close on the line.

Thought the same initially, but when you see the overhead replay, it's more like half a bike length.

Terpstra in yellow around a minute ahead of Cadel. Cadel takes it back in the TT.

 

[Jamsque]

Thought the same initially, but when you see the overhead replay, it's more like half a bike length.

Terpstra in yellow around a minute ahead of Cadel. Cadel takes it back in the TT.

Yeah, if Cadel goes the way he did in the first stage he should destroy the field tomorrow.

 

[BroDeal]

Tomorrow will be very interesting, considering the TdF implications.

I hope I can find online video.

 

[Zoncolan]

Yeah, if Cadel goes the way he did in the first stage he should destroy the field tomorrow.

It's a bit long for Bertie. Gap between Cadel and Bertie? 1:00? 1:30?

BroDeal: always go with steephill.tv, they have the best links (free).

 

[Bala Verde]

Yeah, if Cadel goes the way he did in the first stage he should destroy the field tomorrow.

The better time trialist will surface tomorrow (I hope). Most TT specialists aren't that great at the shorter 12-15k prologue distances. It was too short for them to grind that big chain ring. Cadel seems to be in good shape though... I wonder what the likes of Grabsch, Millar and Tuft can do...

Does anybody have the profile ready?

 

[BroDeal]

It's a bit long for Bertie. Gap between Cadel and Bertie? 1:00? 1:30?

BroDeal: always go with steephill.tv, they have the best links (free).

Gracias.

How deep will Evans be willing to dig tomorrow and Thursday? You have to wonder if he is peaking too early. Last year he was a little flat during the Tour's last week.

Valverde on the other hand probably has nothing to lose.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Ooof, close on the line.

[edit]Actually, upon seeing the helicopter shot, it wasn't as close as I thought. This must be Milram's best result of the season.

Actually Gerdemann winning the Bayern Rundfahrt wasn't bad as well and Wegmanns victory in Eschborn was even better.
Probably depands on what's more importatn for the sponsor.
I'd guess that would be 1. Wegman, 2. Gedermann, 3. Terpstra

 

[Jamsque]

Actually Gerdemann winning the Bayern Rundfahrt wasn't bad as well and Wegmanns victory in Eschborn was even better.
Probably depands on what's more importatn for the sponsor.
I'd guess that would be 1. Wegman, 2. Gedermann, 3. Terpstra

Those are both big wins, you are right, and they are both in Germany, but this is a Pro Tour race with extensive international TV coverage because it is so close to the TdF. It doesn't really matter, but I would guess that a stage win and a day in the leader's jersey are more of a big deal for the team.

 

[Zoncolan]

Gracias.

How deep will Evans be willing to dig tomorrow and Wednesday? You have to wonder if he is peaking too early. Last year he was a little flat during the Tour's last week.

Valverde on the other hand probably has nothing to lose.

De nada.
I believe most of the big guns will go all out tomorrow in the TT. Not so sure about Ventoux. You're probably right about Valverde, he should go for it.

You're right, Evans was flat, but this year he should have better support in the mountains with VDB there. I don't think he'll have good enough support in the TTT though. Other than that, and the Ventoux stage, the course is more suited to him this year than AC. Verbier (9K at 7%) and Andora Arcalis (10K at 7%) aren't that steep. I'm afraid the Tour will be very dull until we reach Ventoux.

 

[Bala Verde]

Actually Gerdemann winning the Bayern Rundfahrt wasn't bad as well and Wegmanns victory in Eschborn was even better.
Probably depands on what's more importatn for the sponsor.
I'd guess that would be 1. Wegman, 2. Gedermann, 3. Terpstra

It certainly is good for Nikki. He desrved a win after so many escapes... =)

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Those are both big wins, you are right, and they are both in Germany, but this is a Pro Tour race with extensive international TV coverage because it is so close to the TdF. It doesn't really matter, but I would guess that a stage win and a day in the leader's jersey are more of a big deal for the team.

Usually I'd say thats absolutly true. But the Sponsor and the team have been so weird about their goals this season.
For example they said that they must win the Eschborn-Frankfurt City Loop.
It seems to me, that what's most important for them is the way they look in Germany.

 

[Anonymous]

Thought the same initially, but when you see the overhead replay, it's more like half a bike length.

Terpstra in yellow around a minute ahead of Cadel. Cadel takes it back in the TT.

do you think this tt favors evans over contador?
this is long. i'm picking contador.

 

[Anonymous]

Gracias.

How deep will Evans be willing to dig tomorrow and Thursday? You have to wonder if he is peaking too early. Last year he was a little flat during the Tour's last week.

Valverde on the other hand probably has nothing to lose.

you think poor evans might have to work too hard tomorrow? poor baby.

he can take the jersey back

but he won't.

contador

 

[Anonymous]

De nada.
I believe most of the big guns will go all out tomorrow in the TT. Not so sure about Ventoux. You're probably right about Valverde, he should go for it.

You're right, Evans was flat, but this year he should have better support in the mountains with VDB there. I don't think he'll have good enough support in the TTT though. Other than that, and the Ventoux stage, the course is more suited to him this year than AC. Verbier (9K at 7%) and Andora Arcalis (10K at 7%) aren't that steep. I'm afraid the Tour will be very dull until we reach Ventoux.

was today evidence of the support he'll get in the mountains? did they not fail to manage the break? leaders team that failed to chase?
his team is doodly squat. he's on his own here, as usual, and that's what will probably do him in. .... again....

 

[lookkg386]

Gracias.

How deep will Evans be willing to dig tomorrow and Thursday? You have to wonder if he is peaking too early. Last year he was a little flat during the Tour's last week.

Valverde on the other hand probably has nothing to lose.

I think Evans (and also Contador ) are timing their form just right, Those blokes who went really hard in a tough tough Giro should be concerned about being a little flat come mid July IMHO.

 

[biker jk]

Gracias.

How deep will Evans be willing to dig tomorrow and Thursday? You have to wonder if he is peaking too early. Last year he was a little flat during the Tour's last week.

Valverde on the other hand probably has nothing to lose.

Don't forget that that Evans fell and took a pretty bad knock at last year's TDF which no doubt effected his performance in the last week.

 

[BroDeal]

Don't forget that that Evans fell and took a pretty bad knock at last year's TDF which no doubt effected his performance in the last week.

But looking at Evans final ITTs in the Tour, he seems to weaken in the last weak. If he peaks early, especially for this year's course, then he is doomed to come second (at best) again.

 

[Zoncolan]

was today evidence of the support he'll get in the mountains? did they not fail to manage the break? leaders team that failed to chase?
his team is doodly squat. he's on his own here, as usual, and that's what will probably do him in. .... again....

They weren't trying to pull the break back, just to limit the time loss, which they did. VDB will be a great asset come July. Wait and see.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Usually I'd say thats absolutly true. But the Sponsor and the team have been so weird about their goals this season.
For example they said that they must win the Eschborn-Frankfurt City Loop.
It seems to me, that what's most important for them is the way they look in Germany.

Having watched Wegmann win the City Loop, I'd have to say his reaction to winning showed it's importance.
That was some show of emotion!

 

[Mellow Velo]

do you think this tt favors evans over contador?
this is long. i'm picking contador.

Contador says he's not interested in the GC.
Evans beat Contador by over in minute in both of the 2007 Tour long ITT's.
So, yes, the long ITT's used to favour Evans.

My guess is Contador would prefer to take the Ventoux stage.

 

[knorensnor]

I can hardly believe that Contador is not going for the win if he hs the chance, he's a cannibal =) I believe it will be an exciting ITT this afternoon, but I think Evans' form is just a little bit better than Contadors...

 

[Jasper]

Any livetickers or even images for todays stage? They're supposed to broadcast it on Eurosport, but all I see is a boring tennis match between Mahut and Cilic in the early stages of the tournament, so not really worth delaying the ITT for imo...

 

[Anonymous]

But looking at Evans final ITTs in the Tour, he seems to weaken in the last weak. If he peaks early, especially for this year's course, then he is doomed to come second (at best) again.

you sure you don't mean weeken in the last weak? lmao
are you sure you didn't mean peek?
you called me a dumb @ss over word use?

 

[powderpuff]

Any livetickers or even images for todays stage? They're supposed to broadcast it on Eurosport, but all I see is a boring tennis match between Mahut and Cilic in the early stages of the tournament, so not really worth delaying the ITT for imo...

Here is a link for live video
http://www.justin.tv/cabe_