The Tour de France looms on the horizon, and those riders planning to race are putting the final touches on their form – or going into last-minute panic mode, final exam cram-style. The Critérium Dauphiné has long been a favorite preparation race serving both purposes rather well.
It’s a favorite of the Tour’s GC contenders as it usually features stages that, if not identical to key stages from the Tour, will at least feature many of the same climbs; habitual Tour winners like Indurain, Armstrong, and Clentador have traditionally used this race as their preferred method of final preparation; riders seeking additional form will take the beating taken from a week of suffering and have just enough time to recover prior to the Tour. And, of course, riders who have aspirations in July may also find they are a few kilos heavy yet and may indulge in some ultra-lean Spanish beef in order to get to fighting weight.
It’s also a dangerous gamble: ride too hard at the Critérium and you could fire off the Guns of Navarone and enter the Tour in a state of fatigue, as Pharmy did in 2003. A delicate balance, this.
The challenge in predicting the results of a preparation race such as this is that the favorites for the Tour are (hopefully) peaking in one month, not during this event. But they’ll be good – maybe good enough to win. But probably not. Combine that with that the notion that a rider with little hope in July may be looking for glory and will be in peak form, leading to an unexpected result – a review of last year’s race with Jani Brajkovic is a great example of this case.
With that we kick off into the first minor-stage VSP for the Critérium Dauphiné. Being a week-long stage race, the points on offer are 7 for first, 5 for second, 4 for third, 3 for fourth, 2 for fifth, with the usual allotment of bonus points for getting the rider right but the place wrong. Also, there are no rest days, so no rest day swaps, but we will have our usual approach for riders who drop out. Piti Principle applies as always. Also review the guide, being careful to note that the rules have changes a bit this year, and we may not have completely updated the guide yet, so if there’s a question, ask.
Best of luck to all.
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@heath
If it hasn't been pointed out yet, it falls under Rule 15. The should both be wearing standard team shorts.
That's what the jersey is for; it should be enough, yes?
@Cyclops
Magnificent machine, but your bibs are violating the Goldilocks Principle.
Hey Delphinati !!!
Exclusive Videos from the Dauphiné !
With some luck and effort and some V ( I rode 80km to shoot this..)))
...and in the spirit of community members contribution...
I have the pleasure to give you some video insights of this Criterium du Dauphiné 2011...
These videos have been shot this afternoon in a hurry "in race" 20 km before the Finish Line and at the hotel with Cervelo-Garmin, Saur Soja Sun, Omega-Pharma-Lotto and Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) ... as the riders and team members were quite exhausted and the mechanics and DSs really on nerves i had little time and opportunities to shoot these videos ( with and old Iphone...)
Nevertheless, here are some exclusive footage for you Velominati...
the 3 échappés and the the entire peloton and team cars 15 km before the finish line
: All in 3 minutes : no sponsors caravan this year ! (~90 Mo video)
is it the new "meilleur grimpeur" with the Red Dots Jersey..
as far as i know -now- it's not even official... the pink one is a (good) local kid...
Well, shit happens, innit? CorimAAAaaargh!
At the FDJ stand, Dura Ace c35 wheels and stuff
An FDJ Lapierre vigorously washed
A Cervelo more gently treated
Garmin_Cervelo at home
A Canyon being prepared
@all
Our friend Alpin has a front-row seat at the Dauphiné; check some videos above and also stand by for live updates from him as well as start-area photos tomorrow morning. Merci Alpin!
@Cyclops
LOOKs beautiful!
I really like my new badge too!
Alpin,
The last video the race.mov 6.6.11 it's just perfect.
A very well told story.
@frank
@Pedale.Forchetta
Thanks
@all
If you encounter some problems with the _almost_live_ Dauphiné Videos...
they are all here :
Dauphine
+1 sgt
@frank
LG bibs are very nice but they do run long in the legs for some reason. I have a pair and they are roughly the same length as the pair Cyclops has. Perfect during the colder times when you have kneewarmers on, but a little long for the summer. Would it kill them to make 'em 2" shorter?