Criterium du Dauphine

stevemarks wrote:

stevemarks wrote:

stevemarks wrote:

Gecko-cyclist wrote:

stevemarks wrote:

Stuck with Tuens EBH and Pollit as all possible breakaway men.

That leaves me just 2 transfers when I take them out tomorrow WVA is the big imponderable how is he going to get on in the mountains what will we learn about him?

 

Similar plan for me today leaving pretty much as is, to cover the early or late break scenarios – My only swap was Sam Bennett out for Alaphillipe.  My team today:

 

Alaphilippe

Cort

Yates

Politt

Van Aert

Perdersen

Eddy Boss

Van Garderen

 

I’m not sure how Van Aert will survive the next few days either but he has made a lot of the fact that he weighs 78kg so its impossible for him to compete.  Given he’s effectively carrying a bag of cement uphill compared to a lightweight climber I can see his point but I think he is surprising himself and redefining all his limits at the moment.

From a team point of view I haven’t rushed to change him yet.  I’ve still got to look at the points on offer but he has a decent enough lead in the points jersey to keep him motivated to score to the end.  Maybe enough of a lead to keep his score ticking over in the young riders competition too even if he loses it to Labrecht or Gaudu who are waiting in the wings?  

I’ve 6 transfers and 2/3 climbers already in play so not such a problem to me to swap him out.  I’m not sure how Alaphillpe will play it after today though so it could be him that goes and WVA that stays – decisions, decisions…. 

 

Changed my mind a few times between Alla and tayes but needed two transfers for Alla and that was just too expensive although doesn’t look that way now.

 

 

 

 

Congratulations Gecko-cyclist.

That was a tough competition to work out.

I think the difference was Alaphilippe we both took him out for Froome but you had the guts (and foresight) to put him back in.

Thanks Steve

stevemarks wrote:

Gecko-cyclist wrote:

stevemarks wrote:

Stuck with Tuens EBH and Pollit as all possible breakaway men.

That leaves me just 2 transfers when I take them out tomorrow WVA is the big imponderable how is he going to get on in the mountains what will we learn about him?

 

Similar plan for me today leaving pretty much as is, to cover the early or late break scenarios – My only swap was Sam Bennett out for Alaphillipe.  My team today:

 

Alaphilippe

Cort

Yates

Politt

Van Aert

Perdersen

Eddy Boss

Van Garderen

 

I’m not sure how Van Aert will survive the next few days either but he has made a lot of the fact that he weighs 78kg so its impossible for him to compete.  Given he’s effectively carrying a bag of cement uphill compared to a lightweight climber I can see his point but I think he is surprising himself and redefining all his limits at the moment.

From a team point of view I haven’t rushed to change him yet.  I’ve still got to look at the points on offer but he has a decent enough lead in the points jersey to keep him motivated to score to the end.  Maybe enough of a lead to keep his score ticking over in the young riders competition too even if he loses it to Labrecht or Gaudu who are waiting in the wings?  

I’ve 6 transfers and 2/3 climbers already in play so not such a problem to me to swap him out.  I’m not sure how Alaphillpe will play it after today though so it could be him that goes and WVA that stays – decisions, decisions…. 

 

Changed my mind a few times between Alla and tayes but needed two transfers for Alla and that was just too expensive although doesn’t look that way now.

 

 

 

Congratulations Gecko-cyclist.

That was a tough competition to work out.

I think the difference was Alaphilippe we both took him out for Froome but you had the guts (and foresight) to put him back in.

Adam Yates abandons.

Adam Yates abandons.

Definitely a better day to be
Definitely a better day to be watching than riding – I wonder how they recover for today?

All the wrong picks for me yesterday. No Fuglsang or Buchmann looks shocking in hindsight. Looking at the teams around me I think I may have quite brilliantly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Very close though, It could be an exciting day!

Gecko-cyclist wrote:

stevemarks wrote:

Stuck with Tuens EBH and Pollit as all possible breakaway men.

That leaves me just 2 transfers when I take them out tomorrow WVA is the big imponderable how is he going to get on in the mountains what will we learn about him?

 

Similar plan for me today leaving pretty much as is, to cover the early or late break scenarios – My only swap was Sam Bennett out for Alaphillipe.  My team today:

 

Alaphilippe

Cort

Yates

Politt

Van Aert

Perdersen

Eddy Boss

Van Garderen

 

I’m not sure how Van Aert will survive the next few days either but he has made a lot of the fact that he weighs 78kg so its impossible for him to compete.  Given he’s effectively carrying a bag of cement uphill compared to a lightweight climber I can see his point but I think he is surprising himself and redefining all his limits at the moment.

From a team point of view I haven’t rushed to change him yet.  I’ve still got to look at the points on offer but he has a decent enough lead in the points jersey to keep him motivated to score to the end.  Maybe enough of a lead to keep his score ticking over in the young riders competition too even if he loses it to Labrecht or Gaudu who are waiting in the wings?  

I’ve 6 transfers and 2/3 climbers already in play so not such a problem to me to swap him out.  I’m not sure how Alaphillpe will play it after today though so it could be him that goes and WVA that stays – decisions, decisions…. 

 

Changed my mind a few times between Alla and tayes but needed two transfers for Alla and that was just too expensive although doesn’t look that way now.

 

 

 

stevemarks wrote:

Stuck with Tuens EBH and Pollit as all possible breakaway men.

That leaves me just 2 transfers when I take them out tomorrow WVA is the big imponderable how is he going to get on in the mountains what will we learn about him?

I thought we’d have a much bigger break than just the three. It’s a stage made for it and at a time in the race that’s made for it. Looks like they’re letting the three go to the end unopposed….

MinardiM189 wrote:

Dr Winston wrote:

I don’t understand Ineos today…Protecting Poels 11th position is not really the stuff of dreams…surely they have a least a smidgen of ambition to win a stage…

They aren’t interested in stage wins, if thhey were Kwiatowski wouldn’t have had to sacrifice himself on Stage2. He could have a chance tomorrow but I think he will work for Poels.

Poels could get a top5 in GC, so that is probably their current target.

Personally I think Kwiatowski is wasting his career, he is winning less one day races than when he was at QS and has no chance of being a GC rider except in small races.

I agree…total waste. I couldn’t decide whether to keep him in the hope he may try and jump the race with the likes of Gilbert  or swap him out for Hodeg….In the end I decided if he played out today then he would likely play out tomorrow…but obviously Ineos have other ideas. Kwia should be competing with the likes of Ala and Gilbert on days like today and a firm favourite with Ala on days like tomorrow.  Not that Hodeg would have been any better. I understand protecting Froome for a tour victory but surely when Poels is only 11th on a stage that would be relatively easy to roll in with they could let Kwia stretch his legs….

I don’t understand Ineos

I don’t understand Ineos today…Protecting Poels 11th position is not really the stuff of dreams…surely they have a least a smidgen of ambition to win a stage…