Author Topic: Dauphiné Libéré 2012 (Read 11072 times)

citoyen · « **on:** 29 May, 2012, 12:13:58 pm »

The Tour de France taster is almost upon us... any predictions?

Can't see the winner coming from anyone other than Wiggins, Evans or Nibali myself. And I wouldn't be surprised if Brad wore yellow from start to finish.

d.

Ray 6701 · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 May, 2012, 12:54:22 pm »

Do you reckon Nibali is worth a flutter for Le Tour

He is 16/1 at the mo with William Hill.

citoyen · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 May, 2012, 12:58:51 pm »

I reckon Wiggo, Evans and Nibali will be the three on the podium at the end of the Tour. In what order remains to be seen... but yes, I'd say those are generous odds, especially if you can get an each-way bet.

d.

JT · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 May, 2012, 09:23:44 am »

I'd prefer Wiggo to keep his powder dry with this one. Another win in the Critérium du Dauphiné would increase the hype for the Tour. However, I think he will win it and British Cycling are quite fond of "setting down a marker", if they can, ahead of big events.

Who knows what form Evans has? He's hardly been seen this year.

Nibali is very talented but tactically suspect. He could do will in the Dauphiné but I can't see him winning the Tour but podium a possibility in a relatively even field.

Rhys W · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 May, 2012, 09:36:00 am »

Quote from: JT on 30 May, 2012, 09:23:44 am

Who knows what form Evans has? He's hardly been seen this year.

He's been a runner-up so many times in grand tours, and now having finally managed it at a late age I suspect his hunger for winning is not great by now. So I don't rate him as a contender this year, but who knows what he could do?

Nuncio · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 May, 2012, 01:30:18 pm »

Avoiding the obvious names, I think the following may be good for an each-way bet for a podium place. (To be honest, I have no idea of their current form but both can TT and climb).

Jurgen van den Broek
Teejay van Garderen.

I'm also interested to see how those who pushed Wiggins fairly close earlier this year will fare:
Louis Westra
Andrew Talansky.

I see that Vinokourov is down to start, and David Millar is back from a broken collar bone.

David Martin · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 May, 2012, 01:40:32 pm »

Westra is a rising talent. I think Vino is past it now - maybe one or two inspirational attacks.

mattc · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 May, 2012, 02:06:39 pm »

Quote from: Rhys W on 30 May, 2012, 09:36:00 am

Quote from: JT on 30 May, 2012, 09:23:44 am
Who knows what form Evans has? He's hardly been seen this year.

He's been a runner-up so many times in grand tours, and now having finally managed it at a late age I suspect his hunger for winning is not great by now. So I don't rate him as a contender this year, but who knows what he could do?

He seems like a very complicated character (possible understatement), dependent on a fragile confidence for his best form, and needing just the right team (personalities I mean, and not just the riders) round him. So it could work the other way, with the win inspiring him further.

(But my money is on Wiggo beating him, if anyone will take a 50p bet. )

citoyen · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 May, 2012, 02:07:09 pm »

I'm backing Simon Gerrans to do well. Maybe not a podium, but up towards that end of GC.

d.

JT · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 May, 2012, 02:15:14 pm »

Quote from: citoyen on 30 May, 2012, 02:07:09 pm

I'm backing Simon Gerrans to do well. Maybe not a podium, but up towards that end of GC.

d.

God I hope not. I can't stand the whingeing git.

Exit Stage Left · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 May, 2012, 02:26:24 pm »

Aren't Andy Scleck and Chris Froome on the start list?

David Martin · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 May, 2012, 02:35:06 pm »

My betting is that CF will be riding super domestique for wiggo on the understanding that the favour is returned for the Vuelta.

Simonb · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 May, 2012, 03:14:48 pm »

Quote from: David Martin on 30 May, 2012, 02:35:06 pm

My betting is that CF will be riding super domestique for wiggo on the understanding that the ~~favour~~ team order is returned for the Vuelta.

FTFY

citoyen · « **Reply #13 on:** 05 June, 2012, 12:03:06 am »

Quote from: Rhys W on 30 May, 2012, 09:36:00 am

Quote from: JT on 30 May, 2012, 09:23:44 am
Who knows what form Evans has? He's hardly been seen this year.

He's been a runner-up so many times in grand tours, and now having finally managed it at a late age I suspect his hunger for winning is not great by now. So I don't rate him as a contender this year, but who knows what he could do?

No hunger for winning, eh?

Enjoyed that today. Proper racing.

d.

Aidan · « **Reply #14 on:** 05 June, 2012, 06:08:30 am »

Quote from: citoyen on 05 June, 2012, 12:03:06 am

Quote from: Rhys W on 30 May, 2012, 09:36:00 am
Quote from: JT on 30 May, 2012, 09:23:44 am
Who knows what form Evans has? He's hardly been seen this year.

He's been a runner-up so many times in grand tours, and now having finally managed it at a late age I suspect his hunger for winning is not great by now. So I don't rate him as a contender this year, but who knows what he could do?

No hunger for winning, eh?

Enjoyed that today. Proper racing.

d.

He looked very strong too, just riding for the line and the other two couldn't come round him.

David Martin · « **Reply #15 on:** 05 June, 2012, 09:23:00 am »

Cadel still does the rainbow bands proud.. A great racer.

Andrew · « **Reply #16 on:** 05 June, 2012, 10:56:19 am »

Quote from: citoyen on 05 June, 2012, 12:03:06 am

Enjoyed that today. Proper racing.

Agreed. And completely unexpected too. I wasn't expecting anything much to happen, the course didn't really look to me to offer anything other than a chance breakaway to be hauled in and then a sprint finish. Even expected Durdridge to stay in yellow.

I didn't reckon on the peleton getting ripped apart on that last climb and multiple attacks over the top. Brilliant move and ride from Evans. He took the opportunity well and TT'ed to the line. It was one helluva show of strength.

Shcleck Jnr has a bit of work to do before the TdF though!

citoyen · « **Reply #17 on:** 05 June, 2012, 11:28:13 am »

Quote from: David Martin on 05 June, 2012, 09:23:00 am

Cadel still does the rainbow bands proud.. A great racer.

Yup. Yesterday was a little reminiscent of the way he became World Champ too.

d.

spesh · « **Reply #18 on:** 05 June, 2012, 03:02:26 pm »

Could be a good battle between Wiggo and Cuddles for this year's Dauphiné...

There's a fair bit of comment elsewhere about Andy Schleck - he lost 3 minutes yesterday, and he still looks like a sack of spuds on a TT bike - word is, Bruyneel has made him change his spring program, and the two of them aren't in full agreement about this.

David Martin · « **Reply #19 on:** 05 June, 2012, 03:17:42 pm »

Wiggo v Cuddles will be an epic battle this year. Evans can attack more, but I think Brad has the edge in the hills and the TT.

citoyen · « **Reply #20 on:** 06 June, 2012, 08:46:07 am »

Don't rule out Nibali - he's not a bad time triallist and Saturday's stage finishes with the climb of, then long descent off the Joux-Plane. If he's still in touch on GC by then, who knows what madness he might attempt...

Amador looks dangerous too.

And Tony Martin appears to be in much better shape than he was early season. He's climbing well, we know he can do well in the TT, and in Chavanel he has one of the strongest lieutenants in the field...

d.

Steve GT · « **Reply #21 on:** 07 June, 2012, 03:31:13 pm »

(click to show/hide)

citoyen · « **Reply #22 on:** 07 June, 2012, 03:32:26 pm »

That was a seriously impressive ride.

d.

Exit Stage Left · « **Reply #23 on:** 07 June, 2012, 03:32:42 pm »

Of the three British riders in the top 10, none were born in the UK.

David Martin · « **Reply #24 on:** 07 June, 2012, 03:40:04 pm »

Victoria's children...

Author Topic: Dauphiné Libéré 2012 (Read 11072 times)

Simonb

Andrew