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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FLASHING THE MERCKX WITH VIRENQUE !!!
A little surprise for y'all
Special dedicated to Frank, brett & Velominati
Hey guys ( & Grrlz) ...
VIDEO FLASHIN THE MERCKX WITH VIRENQUE
Look at this video made one hour ago
at la Toussuire : 2 corners before the finish ...
Richard Virenque : TDF legend.
7 Polka dots jersey / 7 mountain stages wins
10 years go ...
just now...
I can't resist to present you this last (disturbing) image of mine who allowed me to be casted tor represent Mr Cyclist talking to Mr Virenque. :
Rule 2394 : no cycling shoes allowed when you are not hammering the pedals.
the film was an "ironic-comedic" teaser for Eurosport with Richard Virenque as he 'll be the Tour de France Sports consulting commentator for this TV channel this year... )
also you can see here more images of the spectators, mountain village, polka dot jersey family and even the TDf devil of cylcing ( yes , he was there too for the film...)
[album: http://filemanager.dutchmonkey.com/photoalbums.php?currdir=velominati.com/content/Reader Galleries/21307893464/|width=595|height=512]
)))
@Buck Rogers
He doesn't ride there. Katusha goes all Russian this Tour.
Bummer. Only TWO bloody points in the Dauphine' VSP. Oh well, at least it was a truly super race!
@Alpin
Virenque flashing the sign...I never thought I'd see the day...AMAZING. Thank you for that!
@all
As for the Daupihiné, Barnacle Brad did what it took and Kern fell off the pace at the end. I'm with Netraam; Gesink is looking good for the Tour, and so is Evans. Very cool.
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Seriously?!?!? That's crazy!!
@Buck Rogers
Sure. but hey? even cannibals have eaten forbidden fruit(s).
..he is still one of the best historical climbers ( engaging meself only)
mythology
I know, I know. And I am a closet francophile after having lived in France for a month in '89 and seeing Paris-Nice. I actually really liked his style in clmbing and it seems that truly almost everyone was doping then. It's just the cynic in me. Bottom line: Fucking Cool video!!!
@Alpin
OFF.THE.HOOK!
Thanks for that. Reeeeeshard!
@frank
in the VSP G.C. i'm in the 38th & 87th places. i promise i'm only one person; so, if i combine my points i should be able to move up in final standings a bit.