2011 Criterium du Dauphin̩ РPreview

Fotoreporter Sirotti

 

One of my favorite races begins this weekend: the Criterium du Dauphiné. One of two primary build-up races to the Tour de France, this year’s event features a challenging Tour-style parcours (2 time trials and 4 summit finishes) and a start list stocked with riders hoping for glory this July.  Here’s a rundown of this year’s favorites:

1. French squads Ag2r and Cofidis come to the Dauphiné with imports leading their teams. Ag2r’s Nicolas Roche is hoping to build on his performance in last year’s Tour de France; the Dauphiné will give us a chance to see if he’s up for it. Meanwhile, Rein Taaramae has shown flashes of brilliance at Cofidis, but has yet to secure a major result. With Davide Moncoutie at his side, this might be his best chance.

2. Cadel Evans has already won both Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of Romandie for BMC this season, now he heads to France as one of the favorites for his third prestigious win of the year. Evans has ridden well in the Dauphiné in the past and is suited to the race’s mix of time trials and high mountains. I’ve always said Evans would find more success were he to abandon his Tour aspirations in favor of hillier classics and one-week stage races—will the Dauphiné help him see the writing on the wall?

3. Euskaltel’s Samuel Sanchez narrowly missed a podium spot in last year’s Tour de France; this year he’s using the Dauphiné to put the finishing touches on his form. As for HTC’s Tony Martin, he won Paris-Nice in March and would love to add the Dauphiné to his resume. For someone mentioned as a future Tour-contender, the Dauphiné’s difficult course will provide a worthy test of the German’s skills.

4. As for Liquigas’ Ivan Basso, 2011 marks his full return to the Tour de France—at least in the sense that he’s structured his season around success in the French grand tour. While others have rebounded from poor performances in the Dauphiné to earn high finishes in the Tour, I suspect we’ll get an accurate assessment of Basso’s Tour chances by the end of next week. The time trials will prove one crucial indicator, but the Italian’s climbing will determine his ultimate outcome.

5. Meanwhile, all eyes in Belgium will be on Omega Pharma-Lotto’s Jurgen Van Den Broeck. Last year, VDBeke finished 4th at the Dauphiné before his spectacular fifth-place finish in Paris. This week will be our first chance to see if the Belgian’s more than just a one-hit wonder. And should he find himself in a position to do so, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win it. With Andre Greipel and Philippe Gilbert already jockeying for position within Lotto’s Tour-team hierarchy, VDBeke could use a big result to remind everyone that he’s the team’s best option.

6. Holland’s Tour hopes ride firmly on the shoulders of Robert Gesink, a fabulous climber who prior to this season had proven himself to be weak against the clock. But after some stunning performances earlier this season, it appears as if the Dutchman has finally found a way to contend. The Dauphiné offers two ITT’s in which Gesink can test himself. If he passes, he’ll be a top-3 contender in July.

7. For the French, while Europcar’s Thomas Voeckler will seek to continue his spectacular success, Saur-Sojasun’s Jerome Coppel will look to build upon his fifth-place finish last year. Arguably the most consistent French GC rider in the sport (that’s not saying much, I know), Coppel could be the next French GC-darling at the Tour de France. Saur certainly hopes so, as this will be the team’s first ever trip to the Grand Boucle.

8. At Garmin-Cervelo, two riders deserve your attention. Christophe Le Mevel rode an aggressive Giro d’Italia in which he was a major contender for the maglia rosa. That said, I think the Dauphiné will prove to be too much after such a difficult Giro. But in addition to contending for a stage win, Le Mevel should prove a valuable ally to Daniel Martin. In a race known for ushering in the sport’s newest champions, Martin’s just the type of rider who could surprise us all. His time trialing might be a liability, but his climbing is more than enough to earn a place in the top-5.

9. And last but not least, two former Dauphiné champions—one recently and one from years ago—deserve attention as well. Radio Shack’s Janez Brajkovic turned the race on its head last year with a performance that was downright Armstrong-esque (maybe there’s a better adjective). Regardless how you describe it, the Slovenian possesses the perfect mix of time trial and climbing ability to dominate a race like the Dauphiné. And if the new US Champion, Matt Busche, rides in France as he did in California, then Brajkovic might just have the best lieutenant in the race.

10. As for Astana’s Alexandre Vinokourov, he won the Dauphiné in 1999 and returns this year as part of what many believe could be his farewell season. I expect we’ll see Vino score at least a stage win on his way to a top-5 finish. The overall win might be just out of his reach—then again, he’s proved me wrong before.

As for my prediction, I’ve picked Cadel Evans twice this season and he’s won both races—I’m not changing anything. Robert Gesink will take second and Brajkovic third.

Who’s your pick? Share your comments below.

 

About Whit

My experiences might easily fit many cycling fans' definitions of “living the dream.” Since getting hooked on the sport watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship, I've raced as an amateur on Belgian cobbles, traveled Europe to help build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux. As a former assistant director sportif with Mercury-Viatel, I've also seen the less dreamy side of the sport – the side rife with broken contracts, infighting, and positive dope tests. These days, I live with my lovely wife in Pennsylvania and share my experiences and views on the sport at Bicycling Magazine, the Embrocation Cycling Journal, and at my own site, Pavé.
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5 Responses to 2011 Criterium du Dauphin̩ РPreview

  1. Kris says:

    Great preview. It gives me something to think about before I make my picks in my pools. Without too much thought though, I will have to go with…

    1. Cadel Evans
    2. Samuel Sanchez
    3. Jurgen Van Den Broeck

  2. Doug P says:

    Thanks for a well-timed preview!
    I'll pick
    Cadel
    Thomas Voeckler
    Chris Le Mevel.
    Can you tell I just arrived back in France?

  3. Adam says:

    Evans and Gesink. I don't think Martin is a future Tour podium rider, and I don't know why people insist he is. He's more Olano than Ulrich when it comes to the TT and Climbing mix.

  4. Michael says:

    It is really interesting reading this today after watching the first two stages, or a proloque and a stage, either way. VDBeke was obviously strong, Vino takes over, Cadel sits in 3rd on GC ( I think). Wiggins and Boasson Haggan are lurking next to each other just off the podium. It appears we are in for a very exciting week of racing.

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