Criterium du Dauphiné, 8-15 June 2014 ***spoilers***

[jdtate101]

I think that's the hardest Froome's had to work for a victory I can remember, right down to the line. Fantastic stuff from both Contador and Froome....the TdF should be a right ding dong given this performance.

 

[Apollonius]

https://flic.kr/p/nCs2XD
Not sure if that works. It was an attempt to link to a picture of Keldermann's bike for the queen stage of the Giro (Galvi, Stelvio et al)

 

[RobNewcastle]

Awesome stage and action! Contador looks a lot stronger but Froome just seems to be able to throw a relentless barrage of attacks! The tour is going to be interesting to be interesting. Nibali as someone has already pointed out is going to be dropped on the big climbs, hasn't got it.

Definite question marks over Porte but I think we'll know for sure about his form come the proper steep stuff on sat. Even if he isn't in top form he'll still go to the tour but sky may have to think about taking another climber for TDF.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Wow!
Big psychological score for Froome. Well done to Kelderman too. Great stuff.

I wonder how big a score. Immense effort from Froome but Contador stuck with him and AC could save a lot of energy sitting behind for a while. Great racing entertainment though. Oh, and did I hear that Adam Yates came in eighth?

 

[Apollonius]

I am pretty sure Contador wanted that. The TdF is going to be between those two (and possibly Nibali, but not after today, I feel), and Froome has landed the first blow. Not a knockout, sure, but that gives him the upper hand.
Sky will be very happy with their work. Pate and Kiryenka put in a lot of work and Thomas and Nieve worked hard on the climb. I guess they are all showing they are the A-team.

 

[RobNewcastle]

Contador was able to stay with him but just about and he was clearly on the limit. The question is can Contador then deliver something and go over the top of Froome in response? I think it's more likely Contador wilts under Froome's attacks than vice versa but Contador is a canny rider and he looks much better than last year. It's quite clearly looking these two to duke it out for the tour win and both riders will still have a few % to go before the tour to hit top form so it bodes for an exciting race.

 

[rliu]

The vultures will be circling round Nibali in the Italian press after that. While what a season Wilco Kelderman is having.

 

[Crackle]

Just watched the last few K and what a finish. Nibali still has 3 weeks and he wasn't far away, see where he is later in the race. Contador has not raced for a few months, so that was an ominous performance and then Kelderman, Van Den Broeck looked good, Igor Anton not far down and Yates again, that California performance was no fluke.

 

[jdtate101]

Contador was able to stay with him but just about and he was clearly on the limit. The question is can Contador then deliver something and go over the top of Froome in response? I think it's more likely Contador wilts under Froome's attacks than vice versa but Contador is a canny rider and he looks much better than last year. It's quite clearly looking these two to duke it out for the tour win and both riders will still have a few % to go before the tour to hit top form so it bodes for an exciting race.

He seemed to try and go over the top just before the line, got about level with Chris, who then kicked again and pulled about a bike length clear.

 

[RobNewcastle]

How much time do people think Froome could/might put into Contador in that final tour 54km TT? Assuming neither loses serious time due to a crash or the cobbles and it comes down to the mountains/TT how much of a buffer might Contador need going into the TT?

 

[montage]

How much time do people think Froome could/might put into Contador in that final tour 54km TT? Assuming neither loses serious time due to a crash or the cobbles and it comes down to the mountains/TT how much of a buffer might Contador need going into the TT?

A minute

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Nothing between Froome and Contador there. Very exciting racing. Froome wanted to distance all of his opponents and not just ride them off the wheel a bit. Contador replied and replied super strong!!

I expect Nibbles to be nearer peak form come July and still think it is a three horse race. Froome and Contador are most likely though imo.

Perhaps slightly more worrying was the the disintegration of Froome's lead out up the climb. Though Nieve look strong, Porte looked to be really struggling and would usually be the last man.

Thinking this will be a very exciting TDF.

 

[thom]

 

[RobNewcastle]

Yeah what happened to Lopez, he was sat just behind Froome? The pace Thomas and Nieve were cranking out cracked him too it looked like. He needs a stronger showing in the tour this year.

 

[PpPete]

I can't help thinking that when Contador declined Froome's invitation to ride with him he made the right tactical decision .... but what turned out to be the wrong 'un strategically.
If they'd worked together they might well have put more substantial time gaps into Nibali, Kelderman, Talansky, Van den Broeck - and still come over the line together as 1-2.
Sure Bertie might still have come second, but he wouldn't have the knowledge that he's followed all the way up and still couldn't get past at the line.