[SPOILERS] Critérium du Dauphiné

[rich p]

Lucky Andy's starting early today - gives him a chance to get to the finish in time to watch the end of stage presentations.

d.

1, 2 or 3 minute intervals?

How many later starters will scalp Andy?

Shall we have a sweepstake?

 

[smutchin]

One minute intervals at that end of the field.

Just to make matters worse, the poor lamb has fallen off his bike.

d.

 

[Speicher]

ahhh diddums

 

[rich p]

One minute intervals at that end of the field.

Just to make matters worse, the poor lamb has fallen off his bike.

d.

He must be getting concerned if not actually worried.

 

[raindog]

Not just us who are puzzled by this, even Kim Andersen doesn't know what's going on.....
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/andersen-cant-explain-schlecks-performance-problems

 

[smutchin]

EBH has just finished 1.01secs behind Durbridge. Nibali has just set off. Getting into the business end of things now...

To be fair, Schleck only lost nine seconds on Durbridge by the finish, so that's actually not too bad a ride, especially considering he fell off.

Edit: just realised I was completely misreading the tables (thought nine seconds sounded a bit unlikely - he lost more than that in the prologue, didn't he?) - EBH lost a whole MINUTE to Durbridge. Schleck lost NINE MINUTES. Yikes.

d.

 

[rich p]

Bruyneel has been nice about him already though! Politics.

 

[raindog]

Kelderman on that last corner!

 

[smutchin]

He was really going for it. Good ride.

Don't think I've heard of him before. Were his parents Dr Feelgood fans?

d.

 

[raindog]

Chavanel fastest at the first split, but has he started too fast?

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Chavanel fastest at the first split, but has he started too fast?

Definitely, I would say. Watch out for Millar, he's really winding up today... Martin looking good for the win though, unless Wiggins is pacing it better and will get faster in the second half.

 

[smutchin]

Mick Rogers just finished fastest yet. Four Sky riders in the top ten on current standings. That's strength in depth.

Richie Porte going surprisingly slow though.

d.

 

[smutchin]

Tony Martin looking very strong indeed.

Apparently, he's pushing a 58T chainring.

d.

 

[raindog]

They've just talked about today's gearing...
Tony Martin is on 58x11, Brad has 56 and Evans 55

EDIT
ha - didn't see you'd posted that smutch

 

[smutchin]

Just saw Matt Rendell tweet about it. No wonder it doesn't look like he's pedalling very fast!

d.