CRITERIUM DU DAUPHINE 2013 – Froome Follows Wiggins Path

For the first time in the history of the race, the Criterium du Dauphine started outside France.  The Swiss town of Champery provided both the start and the finish.  On the circuit was 2 x 1^st Cat, 1 x 2^nd Cat and 1 x 3^rd Cat climbs.  The Dauphine was living up to its mountainous reputation.

 

With just 3km completed David Veilleux (CAN) of Europcar went on the attack, with just 24.5km left to go, he had a lead of 4’53”.  Between him and the Peloton were 2 small groups of riders.  He had an advantage 1’30” over the nearest chasers.   Ricardo Garcia (ESP) of Euskaltel-Euskadi and Thomas Damuseau (FRA) of Argos-Shimano were the first pair chasing.  Behind them were Tony Martin (GER) of OPQS and Jean-Marc Bideau (FRA) of Bretagne-Seche Environnement, they were both caught with 18.2km left to go.

 

With 9.1km left to go the lead of Veilleux had shrunk to 3’26”, would he make it to the finish?  With 5km left to go his lead had shrunk to 3’02”, victory seemed certain and he took the Stage with a kilometre to spare.  In the final kilometre, Team Sky took to the front to control the race.  The remaining 2 chasers had been swallowed up, and Sky was determined to protect their leader Chris Froome (GBR).

 

Stage 2, and the race returned to its native France.  The Stage ran between Chatel to Oyonnax for 191km.  It was a hilly day with 2 x 2^nd Cat, 1 x 3^rd Cat and 3 x 4^th Cat included in the parcours.  

 

There were 4 men in the days breakaway, they were…

 

Rudy Molard (FRA)                         Cofidis

Thomas Damuseau (FRA)              Argos-Shimano

Arnaud Gerard (FRA)                     Bretagne-Seche Environnement

Jose Joao Mendes (POR)                NetApp-Endura

 

With 55.4km left to go, they had a lead of 2’59”.  With 45.5km left to go, Lieuwe Westra (NED) of Vacansoleil-DCM suffered a crash, and he was forced to fight his way back into the Peloton.

 

With under 30km left to go, Molard went on the attack, it was clear that the Peloton was catching up, as OPQS raised the pace.  With 24km left to go, Molard was left with just 53” as an advantage.  Numerous attacks went off the front but none of them got anywhere.

 

In the end, the catch was inevitable, he held on well, but with 15km left to go, the catch was made.  With 10km left to go, Rein Taaramae (EST) of Cofidis went on the attack.  He fought hard, but with a kilometre left to go he was caught by the sprinting teams.  In the final sprint, Elia Viviani (ITA) – Cannondale powered ahead of Gianni Meersman (BEL) of OPQS to take the stage.

 

Stage 3, was a largely flat day, running between Amberieu-en-Bugey and Tarare (167km).  However, the Stage also contained 2 large kicks at the end (2 x 3^rd Cat climbs) and a downhill finish.

 

With 27.8km left to go the 4 man breakaway group had a lead of 1’12”.  They were…

 

Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP)             Vacansoleil-DCM

Fumiyuki Beppu (JPN)          Orica-GreenEdge

Sander Cordeel (BEL)                      Lotto-Belisol

Jacob Rathe (USA)                          Garmin-Sharp

 

Realistically they had little chance of survival, With 17km left to go Cordeel went on the attack in a desperate attempt to survive (their lead had now shrunk to 21”).  Cordeel did not make 13km, when he joined his fellow breakaway riders and was absorbed by the Peloton.

 

All attacks were being policed by OPQS as they sought to protect Gianni Meersman (BEL) who was in the Green Points Jersey.  Nevertheless an attack was made, Bart De Clercq (BEL) made an attack on the Col des Sauvages, with 7.7km left to go, he had an advantage of just 10”.

 

With 2.5km left to go he was joined by Michal Kwiatkowski (POL).  They were finally caught with 1.5km left to go.  Team Sky had done the bulk of the chasing, it was a smart strategy as they set the sprint up for the Norwegian National Champion Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR).

 

This was to be the last straight forward day of the Dauphine, Stage 4 was a 32.5km time trial between Villars-les-Dombes and Parc des Oiseaux.  Going into the time trial the GC looked like this…

 

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 3

1.    David Veilleux (CAN)            Europcar             12:00:22 hours

2.    Gianni Meersman (BEL)       OPQS                   @1’56”

3.    Tony Gallopin (FRA)             RadioShack         @1’57”

4.    Alejandro Valverde (ESP)     Movistar

5.    Warren Barguil (FRA)           Argos-Shimano

6.    Jakob Fuglsang (DEN)          Astana

 

The day was billed as the big clash between Chris Froome (GBR) and Alberto Contador (ESP) of Saxo-Tinkoff.  It wasn’t to be, Contador had a bad day, a very bad day, in fact he was even caught by his 2 minute man Ritchie Porte (AUS) of Team Sky.  Contador eventually finished in 61 place, losing 3’36” on the Stage winner.

 

That Stage winner was Tony Martin (GER) of OPQS, he unsurprisingly dominated the day, despite having a stomach bug earlier in the week.  He finished with a time of 36’54”.  Froome finished 52” behind this time.  Porte eventually finished 1’20” behind Martin.

 

So what happened to the Yellow Jersey, Veilleux started well, retaining his Yellow Jersey at both the 1^st and 2^nd time check.  At the finish Veilleux achieved a time of 40’47”.  The time of the day was in many ways the 2^nd placed Rohan Dennis (AUS) of Garmin-Sharp.  The young Australian finished 47” behind Martin, this was enough to give him the lead in the GC and the Yellow Jersey.

 

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 4

 

1.    Rohan Dennis (AUS)                       Garmin-Sharp     12:40:00

2.    Christopher Froome (GBR)            Team Sky            @5”

3.    Michal Kwiatkowski (POL)            OPQS                   @26”

4.    Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR)       Team Sky             @32”

5.    Richie Porte (AUS)                          Team Sky            @33”

6.    Geraint Thomas (GBR)                   Team Sky             @55”

 

Stage 5, ran for 139km between Gresy-sur-Aix and Valmorel.  The day started deceptively hilly, a gentle ride across 1 x 3^rd Cat and 2 x 4^th Cat climbs.  However, the stage had one final brutal kick, a Hors Cat mountain top finish upon the Valmorel. 

 

With 52.2km left to go the leading group had an advantage of 4’05”.  In the breakaway there were a total of 15 riders, they were…

 

Tim Wellens (BEL)                           Lotto-Belisol

Francesco Gavazzi (ITA)                 Astana

Tom Jette Slagter (NED)                Blanco

Matthew Busche (USA)                 RadioShack-Leopard

Daniel Teklehaimanot (ERI) Orica-GreenEdge

Peio Bilbao (ESP)                            Euskaltel-Euskadi

Kevin Reza (FRA)                            Europcar

Frantisek Rabon (CZE)          OPQS

Cayetano Sarmiento (ESP)            Cannondale

Imanol Erviti (ESP)                          Movistar

Bertjan Linderman (NED)              Vacansoleil-DCM

Bartosz Huzarski (POL)                   NetApp-Endura

Brent Bookwalter (USA)                BMC Racing

Thomas Damuseau (FRA)              Argos-Shimano

David de la Cruz (ESP)          NetApp-Endura

 

Katusha and Garmin-Sharp were controlling the front of the Peloton.  By the 18.1km mark, this lead had fallen to 2’26”.   As the leading group reached the base of the Valmorel, the leading group started to fall apart.  With 13.1km left to go the leading group now consisted of just 3 riders…

 

Daniel Teklehaimanot (ERI)                    Orica-GreenEdge

Frantisek Rabon (CZE)                             OPQS

Bartosz Huzarski (GER)                                      NetApp-Endura

 

As the road ramped up, Rabon was dropped off, Huzarski soon followed.  Teklehaimanot was joined by Tim Wellens (BEL) bridged the gap and joined the Eritean.

 

Behind the Sky Train was setting the tempo on the front of the Peloton.  Behind the Peloton slowly unravelled, though Dennis in the Yellow Jersey managed to stick to the Sky riders.  At the 8.8km mark, Wellens had managed to drop Teklehaimanot.  With 7.4km left to go Wellens advantage over the Peloton was 1’28”.

 

Then Valverde and the Movistar Team went on the attack, challenging Team Sky.  As always, Sky refused to react, maintaining their tempo, and they slowly drew the Valverde back into the Peloton.  With 5.9km left to go, Valverde kicked past his teammate and tried to pull away, slowly he started to create a gap.

 

Matthew Busche (USA) – Radioshack-Leopard managed to catch up with Wellens.  Wellens tried to hold his wheel, but his time in front had taken its toll.  Soon Busche was out in front all by himself, though his lead had fallen to 38” with 4.4km left to go.

 

Wellens was swallowed up by the Sky Train, then with 2.7km left to go, Valverde was reeled in as well.  Dennis was now struggling, with 2.5km left to go he cracked and was dropped from the last remains of the Peloton.

 

Busche seemed set to take the win, Contador went on the attack on the front.  Rein Taaramae (EST) of Cofidis tried to follow, but didn’t get anywhere.  Froome immediately counter attacked, he caught Contador and then attacked him.  In the final metres he caught and passed Busche, taking the Stage win.  Contador crossed the line 6” behind with his head down.

 

THE GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 5

 

1.    Chris Froome (GBR)                        Team Sky            16:08:44

2.    Richie Porte (AUS)                          Team Sky            @52”

3.    Rohan Dennis (AUS)                       Garmin-Sharp     @54”

4.    Michael Rodgers (AUS)                  Saxo-Tinkoff       @1’37”

5.    Daniel Moreno Fernandez (ESP)   Katusha               @1’47”

6.    Daniel Navarro (ESP)                     Cofidis                 @1’49”

 

Stage 6 was a busy day, numerous breaks came off the front but none seemed to stick.  The Stage ran between La Lechere and Grenoble.  It was a lumpy day featuring 2 x 4^th Cat, 1 x 2^nd Cat and 1 x 1^st Cat.  But a fast descent into the finish, could favour the sprinters.

 

With 57.7km left to go a breakaway of 8 riders had formed, they enjoyed an advantage of 1’06”.  The riders in this group were…

 

Tim Wellens (BEL)                           Lotto-Belisol

Thomas Voeckler (FRA)                 Europcar

Kevin Seeldraeyers (BEL)               Astana

Egor Silin (RUS)                               Astana

Mikel Nieve (ESP)                           Euskaltel-Euskadi

Alexandre Geniez (FRA)                 FDJ-BigMat

Jose Herrada (ESP)                         Movistar

Thomas De Gendt (BEL)                 Vacansoleil-DCM

 

Their advantage was held by the sprint teams, especially OPQS who knew that it was Meersman’s last chance to gain valuable points in that competition.  With 35.1km left to go, the lead was just 1’40”.  However, some of the fast men were clearly struggling, the parcours was far more hilly than the profile suggested and they were finding the frequent climbs difficult.

 

The climbs were also taking its toll on the leading group, with 21.4km left to go, the group was down to 4.

 

Thomas Voeckler (FRA)                 Europcar

Kevin Seeldraeyers (BEL)               Astana

Egor Silin (RUS)                               Astana

Jose Herrada (ESP)                         Movistar

 

As the leaders dipped below the 10km mark, things were beginning to look more positive for the breakaway group.  With so many sprinters being dropped from the Peloton, the chase was uncoordinated.  With 8.6km left to go, they still had a lead of 1’17”.

 

Entering the final kilometre, the leaders were playing cat and mouse.  The 2 Astana riders toyed with Voeckler.  But their efforts would be wasted, Voeckler powered ahead of them to take a clear victory.  He had recovered from his broken collar bone earlier in the season.

 

Stage 7 was the Queen Stage of this year’s Dauphine.  Running for 188km between Le Pont-de-Claix and Superdevoluy, it was going to be a tough day in the saddle.  The day started with the Hors Cat climb up the infamous Alpe d’Huez.  It was then followed by 2 x 1^st Cat, 1 x 2^nd Cat and then a final climb up the 3^rd Cat climb of Superdevoluy for a mountain top finish.

 

The breakaway of the day contained  riders, with 39.3km left to go, they had a lead of 2’33”.  In the breakaway was…

 

Sylvain Chavanel (FRA)                           OPQS

Alessandro De Marchi (ITA)          Cannondale

Gorka Izagirre (ESP)                                 Euskaltel-Euskadi

Sergio Paulinho (POR)                             Saxo-Tinkoff

Jurgen Van der Broeck (BEL)                   Lotto-Belisol

Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ)                             Astana

Kevin Seeldrayers (BEL)                           Astana

Ivan Santaromita (ITA)                           BMC Racing

Laurent Didier (LUX)                                RadioShack-Leopard

Tony Gallopin (FRA)                                 RadioShack-Leopard

Thomas De Gendt (BEL)                           Vacansoleil-DCM

Nikias Arndt (GER)                                   Argos-Shimano

Thomas Damuseau (FRA)                       Argos-Shimano

Matteo Bono (ITA)                                   Lampre-Merida

Angel Madrazo (ESP)                               Movistar

Eloy Teruel (ESP)                                      Movistar

Travis Meyer (AUS)                                  Orica-GreenEdge

Jerome Coppel (FRA)                               Cofidis

Pierre Rolland (FRA)                                Europcar

David Veilleaux (CAN)                             Europcar

Arnaud Gerard (FRA)                               Bretagne-Seche

David De La Cruz (ESP)                            NetApp-Endura

 

This group struggled over the first 2 climbs, losing some of the riders.  With 39.3km the remnants of this breakaway had an advantage of 2’33”.  With 34kmleft to go Chavanel and De Marchi went on the attack, the two men were trying to gain an advantage before the final 2 climbs.

 

With 18.9km left to go, these 2 riders had seen their lead fall to 1’02”.  Team Sky had taken their usual rhythmic position at the front of the Peloton.  With 16.5km left to go, De Marchi dropped Chavanel.  Numerous attacks were coming off the front of the Peloton, including Contador, but none of these attacks managed to get anywhere.  De Marchi was eventually caught by the Sky Train.

 

With 12.8km left to go, the gradient worsened and Samuel Sanchez (ESP) of Euskaltel-Euskadi.  Sanchez took the top of the climb, whilst Contador sought to stretch out (supporting Michael Rodgers (AUS) of Saxo-Tinkoff) the last survivors of the Peloton.  Jakob Fugslang (DEN) launched an attack, joining Sanchez on the descent.

 

As the road ramped up again with 3.5km to go, the leader’s advantage was at around 19”.  With 2km left to go Joaquin Rodriquez (ESP) – Katusha attacked, trying to bridge the gap to the leaders, Daniel Navarro (ESP) of Cofidis fought to join him.  Ritchie Porte (AUS) of Team Sky launched a counter-attack passing Rodriquez. 

 

In the sprint between the 2 leaders, Sanchez had the legs to take the sprint finish.  Porte finished in 3^rd, just 1 second ahead of the others. 

 

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 7

1.    Chris Froome (GBR)                        Team Sky             25:00:13

2.    Richie Porte (AUS)                          Team Sky            @51”

3.    Michael Rogers (AUS)                    Saxo-Tinkoff       @1’37”

4.    Daniel Moreno Fernandez (ESP)   Katusha               @1’47”

5.    Daniel Navarro (ESP)                     Cofidis                 @1’49”

6.    Jakob Fuglsang (DEN)                    Astana                 @2’04”

 

Stage 8, was another day in the mountains, lasting 156km, the Stage stretched between Sisteron and Risoul.  It included 3 climbs 1 x 3^rd Cat and 2 x 1^st Cat.  The finish at Risoul was on top of a 1^st Cat. 

 

It was a let day and with 36.6km left to go, a 2 man breakaway had a lead of 2’09”.  They were…

 

Travis Meyer (AUS)                        Orica-GreenEdge

Alessandro De Marchi (ITA) Cannondale

 

Just behind them were Tim Wellens (BEL) of Lotto-Belisol, he quickly caught up with the leaders.  As always Team Sky were on the front of the Peloton, setting a steady pace.

 

With 10km left to go, Tim Wellens had gone on the attack, holding a lead of 2’41” over the Peloton, and about 20” over his fellow breakaway riders.  Then with 5km left to go Alberto Contador went on the attack.  He was clearly trying to ride himself into form.  He was joined by Tony Gallopin (FRA) of RadioShack-Leopard.

 

At the front, Wellens was slowing up, De Marchi was slowly drawing him back in.  At the back of the remains of the Peloton Michael Rodgers (AUS) was struggling, Contador dropped back to support his teammate.  Rodgers was starting to lose time and risked dropping of the podium.

 

De Marchi was now alone in front with 3km left to go, he had an advantage of 1’15”.  Then with 2km to go Chris Froome attacked, his teammate Ritchie Porte (AUS) held his wheel, Froome appeared to be setting up a stage victory for his teammate.

 

They were heading into the cloud line, Froome was reducing the gap dramatically, but he wasn’t quite fast enough, De Marchi took the Stage win.  Then out of the cloud Andrew Talansky (USA) appeared.  Porte cracked and Froome powered ahead to stay ahead of the American.  Rodgers crossed the line with Contador, but he had lost his 3^rd place.

 

 

FINAL GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1.    Chris Froome (GBR)                        Team Sky            29:28:46

2.    Richie Porte (AUS)                          Team Sky            @58”

3.    Daniel Moreno Fernandez (ESP)   Katusha               @2’12”

4.    Jakob Fuglsang (DEN)                    Astana                 @2’18”

5.    Daniel Navarro (ESP)                     Cofidis                 @2’20”

6.    Michael Rodgers (AUS)                  Saxo-Tinkoff       @3’08”

 

STAGE WINNERS

 

STAGE 1:    David Veilleux (CAN)                      Europcar

STAGE 2:    Elia Viviani (ITA)                             Cannondale

STAGE 3:    Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR)       Team Sky

STAGE 4:    Tony Martin (GER)                          OPQS

STAGE 5:    Chris Froome (GBR)                        Team Sky

STAGE 6:    Thomas Voeckler (FRA)                 Europcar

STAGE 7:    Samuel Sanchez (ESP)                    Euskaltel-Euskadi

STAGE 8:    Alessandro De Marchi (ITA) Cannondale

 

GC:             Chris Froome (GBR)                        Team Sky

 

 

CRITERIUM DU DAUPHINE 2013 – Parcours

 

STAGE 1:  Champery > Champery (121km) MOUNTAINS

STAGE 2:  Chatel > Oyonnax (191km) HILLY

STAGE 3:  Amberieu-en-Bugey > Tarare (167km) HILLY

STAGE 4:  Villars-les-Dombes > Parc des Oiseaux (32.5km) TT

STAGE 5:  Gresy-sur-Aix > Valmorel (139km) MOUNTAINS – MT

STAGE 6:  La Lechere > Grenoble (143km) MOUNTAINS

STAGE 7:  Le Pont-de-Claix > Superdevoluy (188km) MOUNTAINS – MT

STAGE 8:  Sisteron > Risoul (156km) MOUNTAINS – MT

WORLD TOUR RANKINGS – 17th June 2012

With the 2012 Criterium du Dauphine and the Tour de Suisse now completed, how has this impacted upon the World Tour Rankings.

 

1       Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP)               Katusha Team              404.00

2       Tom Boonen (BEL)                          OPQS                             366.00

3       Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                   Team Sky                      335.00

4       Vincenzo Nibali (ITA)                     Liquigas                         272.00

5       Peter Sagan (SVK)                           Liquigas                         253.00

6       Samuel Sanchez (ESP)                    Euskaltel-Euskadi         252.00

7       Simon Gerrans (AUS)                     Orica-GreenEdge         210.00

8       Ryder Hesjedal (CAN)                    Garmin-Barracuda       197.00

9       Michael Rodgers (AUS)                  Team Sky                      194.00

10     Roman Kreuziger (CZE)                  Pro Team Astana         189.00

RESULTS – June 2012

TROFEO MELINDA (ITALY)

 

Carlos Betanaur (COL)                             Acqua & Sapone

 

CRITERIUM DU DAUPHINE (FRANCE)

 

STAGE 1:    Luke Durbridge (AUS)                    Orica-GreenEdge

STAGE 2:    Cadel Evans (AUS)                          BMC Racing Team

STAGE 3:    Daniel Moreno (ESP)                      Katusha Team

STAGE 4:    Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR)       Team Sky

STAGE 5:    Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                   Team Sky

STAGE 6:    Arthur Vichot (FRA)                        FDJ-Big Mat

STAGE 7:    Nairo Quintana (COL)                     Movistar Team

STAGE 8:    Daniel Moreno (ESP)                      Katusha Team

 

GC:             Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                   Team Sky

 

PHILADELPIA CHAMPIONSHIP (USA)

 

Alexander Serebryakov (RUS)                         Type 1 1

 

GP KANTON AARGAU (SWITZERLAND)

 

Sergei Lagutin (UZB)                                         Vacansoleil-DCM

 

TOUR DE SUISSE (SWITZERLAND)

 

STAGE 1:    Peter Sagan (SVK)                           Liquigas-Cannondale

STAGE 2:    Rui Costa (POR)                               Movistar Team

STAGE 3:    Peter Sagan (SVK)                           Liquigas-Cannondale

STAGE 4:    Peter Sagan (SVK)                           Liquigas-Cannondale

STAGE 5:    Vladimir Isaichev (RUS)                 Katusha Team

STAGE 6:    Peter Sagan (SVK)                           Liquigas-Cannondale

STAGE 7:    Fredrik Kessiakoff (SWE)               Astana

STAGE 8:    Michael Albasini (SWI)                  Orica-GreenEdge

STAGE 9:    Tanel Kangert (EST)                        Astana

 

GC:             Rui Costa (POR)                              Movistar Team

 

RONDE VAN ZEELAND (NETHERLANDS)

 

Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (RSA)                Team MTN

 

PRORACE BERLIN (GERMANY)

 

Andre Greipel (GER)                                          Lotto-Belisol

 

STERZLM TOER (NETHERLANDS)

 

STAGE 1:    Marcel Kittel (GER)                         Argos-Shimano

STAGE 2:    Andre Greipel (GER)                       Lotto-Belisol

STAGE 3:    Lars Boom (NED)                            Rabobank

STAGE 4:    Marcel Kittel (GER)                         Argos-Shimano

 

GC:             Mark Cavendish (GBR)                   Team Sky

 

TOUR DE SLOVENIE (SLOVENIA)

 

STAGE 1:    Simone Ponzi (ITA)                         Astana

STAGE 2:    Daryl Impey (RSA)                          Orica-GreenEdge

STAGE 3:    Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA)            Colnago-CSF

STAGE 4:    Kristjan Koren (SLO)                       Liquigas-Cannondale

 

GC:             Janez Brajkovic (SLO)                     Astana

 

ROUTE DU SUD (FRANCE)

 

STAGE 1:    Stephane Poulhies (FRA)               Saur-Sojasun

STAGE 2:    Arnaud Demare (FRA)                   FDJ-Big Mat

STAGE 3:    Nairo Quintana (COL)                     Movistar Team

STAGE 4:    Manuel Behetti (ITA)                     Ag2r-La Mondiale

 

GC:             Nairo Quintana (COL)                     Movistar Team

 

HALLE-INGOOIGEM (BELGIUM)

 

Nacer Bouhanni (FRA)                                      FDJ-Big Mat

 

TOUR DE QINGHAI LAKE (CHINA)

 

Hossein Alizaheh (IRI)                                       Tabriz

CRITERIUM DU DAUPHINE, 2012 – Team Sky (Indurain Reborn)

Team Sky appears to have developed a clear strategy of how to win races, and the more I see it, the more it reminds me of the “Banesto Boys”, and the days of Miguel Indurain (ESP).  Indurain could hold his own in the mountains, periodically we would even attack!  Though this was a rare sight, by and large Indurain would quietly climb the mountains, protected by loyal teammates and marking possible rivals.  Indurain would win his races through the Time Trail, in this discipline he was undoubtedly the fastest of his generation. 

 

Bradley Wiggins (GBR) – Team Sky cannot claim to be the fastest, that crown belongs to Fabian Cancellara (SWI) – RNT and Tony Martin (GER) – OPQS.  But, let’s face it he is not far off, and is easily one of the favourites for the Olympic Gold Medal at the end of July. 

 

Neither Wiggins or Indurain are the first to use this technique to win races.  Greg Lemond (USA) was not a natural climber (especially after his shooting accident), Laurent Fignon (FRA) rudely branded him a “wheel sucker” in his biography (and in my opinion there is a degree of truth in the accusation).  Perhaps, the most famous rider to use this strategy was the legendary five times winner of the Tour de France, Jacques Anquetil (FRA).

 

So this tried and tested strategy was used again by Team Sky to win this year’s Criterium du Dauphine.  It may not be the most pretty or exciting racing you will see in your life, but you cannot deny its effectiveness.

 

This Dauphine started this year during an overcast day in the city of Grenoble.  The opening Prologue Time Trial  was short and fast, just 5.7km long, with few corners.  The early pace was set by Andrly Grivko (UKR) – Pro Team Astana with a time of 6:41:33 (minutes).  The time was eventually beaten by Luke Durbridge (AUS) of Orica-GreenEdge with 6:38:62 (winning the stage).

 

The other leading competitors finished with these times…

 

Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                Team Sky                              6:39:97

Tony Martin (GER)                       OPQS                                     6:43:38

Sylvain Chavanel (FRA)               OPQS                                     6:44:30

Cadel Evans (AUS)                         BMC Racing                         6:44:32

Ritchie Porte (AUS)                      Team Sky                              6:45:55

Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP)              Rabobank                            6:48:15

Vincenzo Nibali (ITA)                   Liquigas-Cannondale       6:48:79

Jurgen Van Den Broeck (BEL)    Lotto-Belisol                       6:49:74

Denis Menchov (RUS)                 Katusha                                6:52:78

Janez Brajkovic (SLO)                   Pro Team Astana              6:53:32

Thomas Voeckler (FRA)              Team Europcar                   6:55:55

Andy Schleck (LUX)                      RNT                                        7:07:13

 

Stage 1, was a lumpy day and the weather was a muggy and overcast.  The Stage stretched between Seyssins and Saint-Vallier, completing a total of 187km.

 

The breakaway of the day contained…

 

Giovanni Bernaudeau (FRA)                  Team Europcar

Marker Irizar (ESP)                                   RNT

Nicolas Edet (FRA)                                    Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne

Sep Vanmarcke (BEL)                               Garmin-Barracuda

Maartin Tjallingii (NED)                          Rabobank

Yukihiro Doi (JPN)                                     Argos-Shimano

 

At 79km, their lead was 4’35”, and this was how it remained (by the 15km, the lead was down to 1’15”).  At this point, the gap started to fall rapidly, with OPQS leading the chase.  Doi was now struggling at the back of the breakaway group and quickly lost touch.

 

With 10km left to go the gap was down to just 20”, Irizar broke away attempting a desperate act of survival, it was not to be, he was caught with 5km to go.

 

Then in the final few kilometres Cadel Evans launched a surprise attack alongside Jerome Coppel (FRA) of Saur-Sojasun and Andrey Kashechkin (KAZ) – Pro Team Astana.  They benefited from a tricky descent, and held on until the end.  Cadel Evans outsprinted the other two to win by more than a bike length.

 

However, there was far bigger news happening at the back of the Peloton.  Samuel Sanchez (ESP) of Euskaltel-Euskadi had crashed earlier in the day, he was struggling on despite suffering from bruised ribs.

 

Meanwhile, Andy Schleck (LUX) – RNT was dropped on the final climb with 10km to go.  Throughout this season his heart does not appear to have been in his racing. Speculation has naturally grown as to what has caused this.  Is it simple lack of form or injury (it later gained a back injury, missing the Tour de France), the increasing separation from his brother, the negative press he has received this year or disagreements with the new Radioshack Nissan Trek (RNT) management (particularly the DS Johan Bruyneel)?

 

At the end of the Second day the GC looked like this…

 

Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                Team Sky                              4h 43’ 04”

Cadel Evans (AUS)                         BMC Racing                         @1”

Andriy Grivko (UKR)                     Astana Pro Team              @2”

Carlos Barredo (ESP)                    Rabobank                            @2”

Tony Martin (GER)                       OPQS                                     @4”              

 

Stage 2 and another hilly day between Lamastre and Saint-Felicien (160km), the breakaway of the day contained 4 riders.  They were Christophe Kern (FRA) – Team Europcar, Biel Kadri (FRA) of Ag2r-La Mondiale, Cayetano Sarmiento (ESP) of Liquigas-Cannondale and David Moncoutie (FRA) of Confidis, Le Credit en Ligne.  With 58.9km left to go, they had a lead of 2’48”.

 

Team Sky was on the front of the Peloton, controlling the race, not allowing the breakaway to go over 3 minutes.  This was despite Wiggins comments the previous evening, where he revealed that he hoped to lose the Yellow Jersey today so that he could use his full time trial set up on Thursday.

 

By the 18km mark it was clear that the race was conforming to Sky’s strategy, the breakaway’s lead had been reduced to 27”.  What was left of the breakaway was finally swallowed up with 5km to go.  Anthony Roux (FRA) of FDJ-BigMat started looking particularly active at the front of the Peloton, but his attacks came to nothing.

 

Audrey Amador launched an attack at the base of the final climb, Tony Martin followed with a counter attack, neither men had the legs in the end and Daniel Moreno (ESP) of Katusha took the win.  Andy Schleck was once again out the back of the Peloton.

 

Stage 3, ran between Givors and La Clayette (167km) despite some early climbs this stage appeared to be designed for the sprinters.   There was a breakaway of just 2 riders with a lead of 1’47” with 30km to go.  They were Egoi Martinez (ESP) of Euskaltel-Euskadi and Damien Monier (FRA) of Confidis, Le Credit en Ligne. 

 

The Peloton appeared to be taking a day off, this was undoubtedly the easiest stage of the week, and the GC riders were happy to leave the sprinters to get on with it whilst they rested up for the time trial on Stage 4.

 

The gap fell rapidly, and ultimately the catch was made with 15.5km left to go.  The race held together until the end.  In the final few kilometres OPQS controlled the front of the Peloton.  With 1.5km left, Phillippe Gilbert (BEL) – BMC Racing went for a long one, but it was not to be.  Edvald Boassen-Hagen (NOR) – Team Sky, powered through for a victory.

 

If in the whole scheme of things, Stage 3 was unimportant.  Stage 4 was crucial, this “old skool” time trial of 53km between Villie-Morgon and Bourg-en-Bresse.  It was a very windy day and the riders would have to fight against this all day.

 

Once again Luke Durbridge set the fastest time 1:04:49 (hours), this time however, it was challenged.  Not by Andy Schleck, never the strongest time trialist he suffered a crash and lost even more time. 

 

It was Wilco Kelderman (NED) – Rabobank who was first to beat Durbridge’s time.  Crossing the line with 1:04:37, would any of the front runners manage to challenge this time.

 

At the 1^st checkpoint, Sylvain Chavanel (FRA) – OPQS set the fastest time, in 2^nd place was Tony Martin (GER) @4”, 3^rd was Wiggins @11”.  Meanwhile, at the finish Michael Rogers (AUS) of Team Sky had set the fastest time with 1:04:23.

 

At the 2^nd checkpoint, Wiggins had now gone fastest, behind was Tony Martin @36”, 3^rd place was Rogers @1’01”.  Even more dramatic was the fact that Wiggins appeared to be catching Evans (whilst this never occurred and Evans held on, it illustrates the speed which Wiggins was riding).

 

Wiggins retained the lead until the finish (achieving a time of 1:03:12).  Martin finished in 2^nd place with a time of 1:03:46.  Evans finished with a disappointing 1:04:55.

 

At the end of the 4^th Stage the GC looked like this…

 

Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                Team Sky                              14h 11’ 07”

Tony Martin (GER)                      OPQS                                     @38”

Michael Rodgers (AUS)               Team Sky                              @1’20”

Sylvain Chavanel (FRA)               OPQS                                     @1’38”

Cadel Evans (AUS)                         BMC Racing                         @1’45”

           

Stage 5, and the race ran between Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans and Rumilly, a mountainous stage lasting 187km.  After a wet start, a fast pace was set as the roads dried up.  By 55.3km a breakaway group had formed with a lead of 3’50”.  In this group was…

 

Dmitriy Fofonov (KAZ)                            Pro Team Astana

Alberto Losada (ESP)                               Katusha

Cayetano Sarmiento (ESP)                     Liquigas-Cannondale

Remy Di Gregorio (FRA)                         Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne

Egoi Martinez (ESP)                                  Euskaltel-Euskadi

Arthur Vichot (FRA)                                 FDJ-Big Mat

Daniel Navarro (ESP)                               Team Saxo Bank

Fabrice Jeandesboz (FRA)                      Saur-Sojasun

Maxime Mederel (FRA)                          Saur-Sojasun

 

Behind this leading group, was another group of poursuivants.  This group had around 20” over the Peloton and the gap was growing.  This chasing group contained…

 

Cadel Evans (AUS)                                     BMC Racing

George Hincapie (USA)                           BMC Racing

Michele Schar (SWI)                                BMC Racing

Tejay Van Garderen (USA)                     BMC Racing

Audrey Kashechkin (KAZ)                       Pro Team Astana

Christophe Kern (FRA)                            Team Europcar

Davide Malacarne (ITA)                          Team Europcar

Maxime Bouet (FRA)                               Ag2r-La Mondiale

Mikael Cherel (FRA)                                Ag2r-La Mondiale

Vincenzo Nibali (ITA)                               Liquigas-Cannondale

 

Originally Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR) of Team Sky was in this group, but he dropped back to help Team Sky who were struggling with the chase.  The gap peaked at around 40”, but soon the fortunes were reversed.  In a final show of strength Wiggins crossed the gap and sat behind the back wheel of Cadel Evans.

 

With 45km to go, the gap between the leading group and the Poursuivants had fallen to just 53”.  Vincenzo Nibali tried to break away from the Poursuivants on the final descent, however, he was closely marked by Wiggins.  Back in the valley the group of Poursuivants was brought back into the Peloton.

 

Team Europcar was trying to organise another break, eventually a new group of Poursuivants formed.  This contained…

 

Amael Moinard (FRA)                             BMC Racing

Andrey Kashechkin (KAZ)                       Pro Team Astana

Mikael Cherel (FRA)                                Ag2r-La Mondiale

Biel Kadri (FRA)                                         Ag2r-La Mondiale

Jose Machado (POR)                                Radioshack-Nissan-Trek

Maciej Paterski (POL)                              Liquigas-Cannondale

Luis Mate Nardones (ESP)                     Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne

Arnold Jeannesson (FRA)                       FDJ – Big Mat

Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP)                          Rabobank

 

With 15km to go Luis Leon Sanchez (who had been left to set the pace at the front), gave up and the group was quickly swallowed up by the Peloton.  Only Kadri tried to resist the catch, he managed to hang on for a further 4km, but he was eventually caught. The advantage held by the leading group was now just 1’01”.  As the Stage entered the final 10km this lead began to drop rapidly.

 

In the final few kilometres Daniel Navarro (ESP)- Team Saxo Bank, went on the attack.  He was brought back, then it was Arthur Vichot (FRA) of FDJ-Big Mat who took aturn raising the pace.  With 2km left to Vichot managed to gain a 20” lead over the rest of the breakaway, and he managed to hold on long enough to take the win.

 

Stage 6, was the Queen Stage of this year’s race, 167.5km stretching between Saint-Albern-Leysee and Mozzine.  The Stage contained an endless number of climbs, 2 x 1^st Cat, 3 x 3^rd Cat and then a final Haut Cat, followed by a downhill finish.  With 68km left to go a large breakaway group had formed, and they had a 3’14” gap over the Peloton.

 

The riders in the breakaway group included…

 

Petr Ignatenko (RUS)                               Katusha

Alberto Losada (ESP)                               Katusha

Yury Trofimov (RUS)                                Katusha

Thomas Voeckler (FRA)                          Team Europcar

Pierre Rolland (FRA)                                Team Europcar

Biel Kadri (FRA)                                         Ag2r-La Mondiale

Christophe Riblon (FRA)                         Ag2r-La Mondiale

Jose Machado (POR)                                RNT

Maciej Paterski (POL)                              Liquigas-Cannondale

Cayetano Sarmiento (ESP)                     Liquigas-Cannondale

Remy Di Gregorio (FRA)                         Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne

David Moncoutie (FRA)                          Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne

Egoi Martinez (ESP)                                  Euskaltel-Euskadi

Marco Marzano (ITA)                              Lampre-ISD

Jesus Hernandez (ESP)                            Team Saxo Bank

Sylvain Chavanel (FRA)                           OPQS

Brice Feillu (FRA)                                      Saur-Sojasun

Alexandre Geniez (FRA)                         Argos-Shimano

Matteo Carrara (ITA)                               Vacansoleil-DCM

 

With 48km left to go, they were joined by Andriy Grivko of Pro Team Astana.

 

Then Feillu attacked with 42km left to go, with 33.9km left to go he had built up a lead of 4’17” over the Peloton, and a 1’45” lead over the chasing group.

 

As the race headed up the final climb, the race exploded, there were riders riding independently all over the mountain.  Only Team Sky held together, leading the Peloton, swallowing up riders from the former leading group.  With 17.5km left to go Team Sky dropped Tony Martin.

 

Nairo Quintana (COL) of Movistar attacked of the front of what’s left of the Peloton, slowly he drew in Feillu before overtaking him with just under 14km left to go.  Despite this effort he only had a 15” lead over the Peloton, now down to around 9 men.

 

Quintana came over the top of the climb, closely followed by the Peloton @21”.  As the Peloton crossed the summit, Cadel Evans launched an attack, whilst no distance was achieved, he ensured that he was on the front for the descent.  On the descent, Quintana increased his lead, reaching 30” with 2.4km to go.  Evans slowly pulled away from Wiggins and fellow Sky riders.  Quintana took the win, Evans snatched around 10”.

 

At the end of the 6^th Stage the GC looked like this…

 

Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                Team Sky                              23h 40’ 59”

Michael Rodgers (AUS)               Team Sky                              @1’20”

Cadel Evans (AUS)                         BMC Racing                         @1’36”

Christopher Froome (GBR)        Team Sky                              @1’48”

Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL)    Lotto Belisol                        @2’22”

 

Stage 7, was the final Stage of this year’s Dauphine.  Another day of climbs stretching between Morzin and Chatel (125km), the Stage contained a total of 4 climbs 1 x 1^st Cat, 1 x 2^nd Cat, 1 x 3^rd Cat and 1 x 4^th Cat.  Which when you think about it, is all rather straight forward!

 

With 27km left to go, the breakaway had just 3 riders left.  At one point the breakaway had a lead approaching 8 minutes, now it was down to just 1’30”.  In the group was, Pierre Rolland (FRA) – Team Europcar, Lieuwe Westra (NED) of Vacansoleil-DCM and Jerome Coppel (FRA) of Saur-Sojasun.

 

With 24.5km left to go, another group attempted to break away from the Peloton.  Nibali and Pieter Weening (NED) of Orica-GreenEdge were amongst those trying to get away.  This breakaway was a failure, but on the descent of the Col du Corbier, saw Nibali pull off his usual trick, dropping like a stone.

 

As the race approached the finish, Rolland and Coppel dropped Westra, their lead was now just 1’08” with 15km to go.  Nibali was just 38”seconds behind, he managed to catch Westra.  But as soon as the terrain flattened, Westra slipped into time trial mode and rode away from him.

 

With 10km left to go, the lead was falling rapidly.  Worried about their position on the podium BMC Racing and Katusha were doing all the work.  Alexandre Geniez (FRA) of Argos-Shimano tried to make a break in the last 7km, he made the bridge, but it didn’t matter, the leaders were swallowed up by the Peloton with 2.3km left to go. 

 

In the final climb to the finish, both Wiggins and Ritchie Porte (AUS) tried to lead out Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR) for a victory.  It wasn’t to be, Katusha’s,  Daniel Moreno (ESP) sprinted to a Stage victory.  Despite this set back, Team Sky had every reason to be happy.  Bradley Wiggins had just won the Criterium du Dauphine for the second year running.  As third major victory of the season, could he now go on to win Le Tour?

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the Dauphine GC looked like this…

 

Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                Team Sky                              23h 40’ 59”

Michael Rodgers (AUS)               Team Sky                              @1’17”

Cadel Evans (AUS)                         BMC Racing                         @1’26”

Christopher Froome (GBR)        Team Sky                              @1’45”

Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL)    Lotto Belisol                                   @2’12”

 

STAGES

 

Prologue:     Luke Durbridge (AUS)                              Orica-GreenEdge

Stage 1:        Cadel Evans (AUS)                                     BMC Racing           

Stage 2:        Daniel Moreno (ESP)                               Katusha

Stage 3:        Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR)               Team Sky

Stage 4:        Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                            Team Sky     

Stage 5:        Arthur Vichot (FRA)                                 FDJ-Big Mat           

Stage 6:        Nairo Quintana (ESP)                               Movistar     

Stage 7:        Daniel Moreno (ESP)                               Katusha       

 

GC:                 Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                            Team Sky     

 

 

TOUR DE ROMANDIE, 2012 – Bradley Wiggins, the Quiet Champion

It is often surprising to consider how long and successful a career Bradley Wiggins (GBR) – Team Sky has experienced, to those of us obsessed with road racing, his rise feels recent, his breakthrough occurring with his 4^th place at the 2009 Tour de France.  After a lean and frankly disappointing 2010, he confirmed his presence by winning the 2011 Criterium du Dauphine (a win which many did not believe him capable of).

 

He started the 2011 Tour de France with high hopes, but it was not to be, he crashed out with a broken collarbone on Stage 7.  As we near the 2012 Tour de France, hopes are once again growing.  So far this season he has won the Paris-Nice and now the Tour de Romandie.

 

Born in 1980, he first turned professional in 2001.  During this time he has ridden for a number of teams, the Linda McCartney Racing Team (2001), Francaise des Jeux (2002-2003), Credit Agricole (2004-2005), Cofidis (2006-2007), Team High Road (2008), Garmin-Slipstream (2009) and now Team Sky (2010-    ).

 

Bradley Wiggins is the son of a professional cyclist (Gary Wiggins).  He started racing at South London’s Herne Hill Velodrome at the age of 12.  Wiggins began his career on the track, winning a Bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Games, a Gold, Silver and Bronze at the Athens Games in 2004 and a further 2 Golds at the Beijing Games in 2008.  As a result, his road career was pretty limited prior to the 2008 Season. 

 

In 2008, he decided to take a break from the track and focus on road racing.  At the time he was regarded as a time-trial specialist and a rouleur, no one believed that he could compete in the mountains.  The 2009 Tour de France changed all this, he had lost a little weight and proved they he could hold his own on the climbs.

 

The Swiss Countryside

At Team Sky, Wiggins has surrounded himself with experts, “Team Wiggins” as they are known.  Shane Sutton acts as a father figure and overall coach.  Tim Kerrison, is a sports scientist and day-to-day coach.  Finally, there is Richard Freeman, the former doctor of Bolton Wonders Football Club.  Wiggins comes across as a disciplined man, who takes his instructions and is diligent in their application.  This approach is now producing success, and he has clearly emerged as being one of the favourites for this year’s Tour de France.  His success at the Tour de Romandie is the latest stepping stone in this ambition.  But does he have the legs to maintain this over a 3 week Tour (his Vuelta result last year suggests he does)?

 

BRADLEY WIGGINS – KEY PALMARES

 

OLYMPIC GAMES

 

Gold Medal, 4km Individual Pursuit               2004

Gold Medal, 4km Individual Pursuit               2008

Gold Medal, Team Pursuit                                 2008

 

WORLD TRACK CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

Gold Medal, 4km Individual Pursuit               2003

Gold Medal, 4km Individual Pursuit               2007

Gold Medal, Team Pursuit                                 2007

Gold Medal, 4km Individual Pursuit               2008

Gold Medal, Team Pursuit (WR)                      2008

Gold Medal, Madison                                          2008

 

ROAD RACING

 

British Road Time Trial Champion                   2009

British Road Time trial Champion                   2010

Criterium du Dauphine (GC)                              2011

British Road Race Champion                             2011

Paris-Nice (GC)                                                      2012

Tour de Romandie (GC)                                       2012

 

So how did he win the Tour de Romandie?

 

The Tour de Romandie started with a Prologue Time trial at Lausanne, a short one, just 3.3km in length.  The weather was changeable, and the coming of rain would ensure that the late starters (the best time trialists) would be slowed down.  Of the early starters, Geraint Thomas (GBR) of Team Sky set the fastest time of 3:29:43 (minutes).  Due to the weather, this time would eventually win the Stage. 

 

Both Bradley Wiggins and Cadel Evans (AUS) – BMC Racing lost time.  Evans lost 19”, whilst Wiggins lost just 9” despite the rain (a major achievement).  Reigning champion Cadel Evans, never figured in the race, he is clearly either out of form or aiming to peak later in the season for the Tour de France.

 

Stage 1 was a lumpy day in the Swiss valleys between Morges and La Chaux-de-Fonds (184.5km).  The weather remained changeable as a 4 man group launched a breakaway.  They were, Martin Kohler(SWI)  – BMC Racing, Kenny Dehaes (BEL) of Lotto-Belisol, Angelo Tulik (FRA) – Team Europcar and Jimmy Engoulvent (FRA) of Saur-Sojasun.

 

Surprising result, Wiggins sprints for the finish

Behind Team Sky were leading the chase, hoping to engineer a sprint victory for Mark Cavendish (GBR).  With 30km to go, the leading group reached a 2^nd Cat climb.  Kohler tried a last ditch attack, as the Peloton reeled them back in.  He lasted just 2km before the leading group was completely swallowed up.

 

Team Sky, meanwhile, appeared to be having a bad day.  The 2^nd Cat climb saw the Yellow Jersey, Geraint Thomas and Mark Cavendish out of the back losing fistfuls of time.  Then Wiggins had a mechanical problem, as his teammates attempted to pull him back into the Peloton, numerous attacks were made off the front trying to capitalise of these misfortunes. 

 

Then on the descent of the final 3^rd Cat climb, Daniel Navarro (SPA) – Team Saxo Bank, Rinaldo Nocentini (ITA) of Ag2r-La Mondiale and Maxime Mederel (FRA) of Saur-Sojasun, attempted a breakaway.  The attack didn’t get anywhere and the Stage came down to a sprint.  Then something amazing happened, Bradley Wiggins launched an attack on the sprint, he won the Stage beating Lieuwe Westra (NED) of Vacansoleil-DCM to the line.

 

The victory allowed Wiggins to take the lead on the GC, which now looked like this…

 

(1) Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                Team Sky                              4:53:51

(2) Michael Rodgers (AUS)               Team Sky                              @7”

(3) Bauke Mollema (NED)                 Rabobank                            @9”

(4) Stef Clement (NED)                      Rabobank                            @9”

(5) Andrew Talansky (USA)              Garmin-Barracuda           @11”

 

Stage 2 was another hilly day between the towns of Montbeliard and Moutier, a 149km stretch.  The breakaway of the day contained Lars Bak Ytting (DEN) of Team Saxo Bank and Christian Meier (CAN) of GreenEdge, they had managed to build up a lead of 3’38”. 

 

The Swiss Alps

Once again Team Sky sought to control the front of the Peloton, with 30km left to go the lead had fallen to just 49”.  When the catch was finally made, Peter Stetina (USA) of Garmin-Barracuda and Fabrice Jeandesboz (FRA) of Saur-Sojasun attempted a breakaway with 10km to go they had gained 30”.  But it got nowhere, they were caught with just 4.2km left to go.  Jonathan Hivert (FRA) of Saur-Sojasun took the final sprint, winning the Stage.

 

It would come as no surprise to discover that Stage 3 was also hilly.  This Stage would contain the highest climb on this year’s Romandie.  The Stage was 158km in length, between the towns of La Neuveville and Charmey.  With 54km to go, a large breakaway had formed, they had achieved a lead of 5’06”.

 

It consisted of…

 

Matthew Brammeier (IRL)                    OPQS

Gatis Smukulis (LAT)                                Katusha

Leigh Howard (AUS)                                 Argos-Shimano

Tosh Van Der Sande (BEL)                      Lotto-Belisol

Anders Lund (DEN)                                   Team Saxo Bank

 

Team Sky once again set about setting the pace at the front of the group.  Despite this numerous riders tried to attack of the front of the main pack throughout the day.  By the time the Peloton reached the final climb the gap was falling quickly.  David Zabriskie (USA) of Garmin-Barracuda tried a last ditched break, but it got nowhere. 

 

With 4.3km to go the breakaway was finally caught.  Once again the attacks came off the front, but once again these were all caught.  A final sprint to the finishing line saw Luis Leon Sanchez (SPA) of Rabobank take the win.  Sanchez’s victory allowed him to climb into 2^nd place on the GC, just 1” behind Wiggins.

 

Luis Leon Sanchez sprints for the finish

After spending 3 days in the Valleys of the Alps, Stage 4 saw the race hit the mountains proper.  The riders had to complete 3x1st Cat climbs over 184km between Bulle and Sion.  The riders also had to contend with the wind, which had picked up.  An original breakaway of 6, soon split and by the 50km mark the 3 leaders had gained a lead of 2’15”.  The leaders were Johann Tschoop (SWI) – BMC Racing, Petr Ignatenko (RUS) – Katusha and Guillaume Levarlet (FRA) of Saur Sojasun.

 

With the GC so close, Team Sky attempted to manage the Peloton from the front, setting the steady tempo on the climbs and protecting Wiggins interests.  However, Team Sky were now down on numbers as both Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas had withdrawn ahead of the Giro.

 

Over time, 2 groups of riders formed between the leading group and the Peloton.  Neither managed to get away, and by the last 20km the whole race had come back together.  But the descent of the last climb was fast, sweeping curves caused the Peloton to breakup.  Wiggins managed to stay in the leading group, Luis Leon Sanchez however, was dropped.

 

With 8.5km to go, the terrain flattened, it was now a chase to the finish, Team Sky began to lose control of the race, riders sought to escape the pack and take time out off Wiggins.  Amongst them was Sanchez, he had managed to make it back into the leading group, and in the sprint finish Sanchez took the win.  The resulting time bonuses allowed him to take over the Yellow Jersey.  Ahead of the final time trial, Sanchez had a 9” lead over Wiggins (2^nd) and 16” over 3^rd placed Michael Rodgers (AUS) – Team Sky.

 

So once again it came down to the final time trial, Stage 5, was a 16.5km course between Crans and Montana.  With the early starters, Ritchie Porte (AUS) – Team Sky had set the fastest time with 29:13:19 (minutes).  As a result of strong headwind, most riders used standard road bikes and avoided disc wheels.

 

Wiggins collapses after his time trial

So could Wiggins beat Sanchez?  It looked shaky at one point, Wiggins suffered a mechanical early on, a lose chain ring wasting valuable seconds.  Despite this set back Wiggins quickly adopted his smooth riding style.  Sanchez, however, appeared to be struggling and was noticeably slower.  At the checkpoint Wiggins was fastest, and Sanchez was already 55” down.

 

At the finish, Andrew Talansky (USA) of Garmin-Barracuda had now set the fastest time 28:56:60.  It didn’t last long, Wiggins took the Stage victory, finishing with 28:56:60.  Sanchez never recovered, he finished with a time of 30:20:30.

 

So Wiggins had won the Tour de Romandie, will he now go on to win the Tour de France?  Opinion is divided, a poll on the Eurosport website suggests that fans are split down the middle.  We will soon see…

 

FINAL RESULTS

 

Prologue:     Geraint Thomas (GBR)                Team Sky

Stage 1:        Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                Team Sky

Stage 2:        Jonathan Hivert (FRA)                 Saur-Sojosun

Stage 3:        Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP)              Rabobank

Stage 4:        Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP)              Rabobank

Stage 5:        Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                Team Sky

 

GC:     1^st       Bradley Wiggins (GBR)                Team Sky                  18:05:40 (hrs)

            2^nd       Andrew Talensky (USA)              Garmin-Barracuda             @12”

            3^rd       Rui Costa (POR)                             Movistar                              @36”

 

Bradley Wiggins the Tour de Romandie, 2012

 

ADDITIONAL SOURCE:  “Wiggo” by Richard Moore [Pro Cycling – Issue 164] pg 64

CRITERIUM DU DAUPHINE 2012 – Route/Map

The Criterium du Dauphine regarded by many as the leading warm-up race for the Tour de France will be taking place between 3rd June and June 10th.

PROLOGUE:           Grenoble > Grenoble (ITT)

STAGE 1:                 Seyssins > Saint-Vallier

STAGE 2:                 Lamastre > Saint-Felicien

STAGE 3:                 Givors > La Clayette

STAGE 4:                 Villie-Morgon > Bourg-en-Bresse (ITT)

STAGE 5:                 Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignams > Rumilly

STAGE 6:                 Saint-Alban-Leysse > Morzine (MF)

STAGE 7:                 Morzine > Chatel (MF)