What bike is Jérôme Coppel riding? It says Time on the side so you’d think it is a frame from the French manufacturer… but it looks very much like a Trek Speed Concept 9.0 frame, no?
The Spin: Dauphiné Stage 6
Yesterday had a big climb but it was too far from the finish to determine the result. If it wasn’t what you wanted, note it was included “for fun” by the organisers and when the Tour de France goes over the finish will be much closer. When Evans and Nibali got away over the top, a move like this could stick if it goes earlier.
But there’s no hiding or tactics today, this is a pure Alpine stage where the final climb is followed by a rollercoaster descent to the finish in Morzine. Today could well be more decisive than last Thursday’s time trial stage because the time gaps can be bigger for some and all sorts of tactics, risks and surprises can happen.
Note the early finish time and TV broadcast mentioned below.
Contador Signs For Saxo Bank
It’s official, Alberto Contador has signed a three and half year contract to ride for Saxo Bank. He will rejoin the Danish team in August and ride for them until the end of 2015.
Contador is like a corner piece in a jigsaw puzzle. Once he is in place with Saxo Bank other riders in the market can now be placed with different teams.
The Spin: Dauphiné Stage 5
The race heads for the mountains and the Grand Colombier. It is not a famous climb.
But consider this for a moment: the Col du Galibier from Valloire is 18.1km long and averages 6.9%. The Grand Colombier from Culoz is 18.1km long and averages 6.9%.
How High is the Tourmalet?
The Col du Tourmalet is one of the legendary climbs of the Pyrenees. With tough ascensions on both the east and west, it is a regular feature of the Tour de France. Indeed the Tour has tackled this pass more times than any other in France. So you’d hope the altitude of the pass is agreed. In case of doubt a giant sign marks the pass.
Only a new jersey by Rapha created to celebrate the legendary climbs of the Pyrenees appears to mention the wrong altitude.
The Spin: Dauphiné Stage 4
A 53.5km time trial, a festival of big ring riding.
A prestigious stage in its own right, it will also shape the overall classification for the race. This is also vital test of form ahead of the Tour de France and similar in style to Stage 9 of the Tour, a 41.5km time trial. Plus the results will be scrutinised by national federations who need to pick a rider for the London Olympic Games.
Is Andy Schleck Off The Pace Or Right On Track?
With less than a month to go before the Tour de France Andy Schleck is well off the pace. When there is a climb or a time trial the Luxembourger seems to go backwards. Fans are frustrated, journalists exasperated and management nervous. Is this the 2012 Dauphiné? No, I’m talking about the June 2011 and the Tour of Switzerland.
Here’s the breakdown of Andy Schleck’s riding in the Swiss race last year listed stage by stage. As you’ll see he was struggling with the pace on some climbs only to put on a mountain masterclass on the penultimate day… and then finish second in the Tour de France weeks later.
The Spin: Dauphiné Stage 3
It’s only Wednesday but today is the last chance for the sprinters in this race. Look at the graphic above and once the climbs are out of the way there’s a nice run to the finish. But crunch the numbers and yesterday’s stage was for slated the punchers and climbers with 2,900 metres of vertical gain yet today features a comparable 2,600 metres. A sprinter must be able on the ascensions to be fresh for the finish.
Team Victory Rankings Updated
| Wins | Team |
| 30 | Omega Pharma – Quickstep |
| 25 | Team Sky |
| 21 | Liquigas – Cannondale |
| 16 | Lotto – Belisol |
| 15 | Movistar |
| 14 | Katusha |
| 14 | Orica-Greenedge |
| 13 | Garmin – Barracuda |
| 11 | Rabobank |
| 9 | FDJ – BigMat |
| 8 | Vacansoleil – DCM |
| 7 | BMC Racing |
| 6 | Euskaltel – Euskadi |
| 6 | Lampre – ISD |
| 5 | Astana |
| 3 | Radioshack – Nissan |
| 3 | Saxo Bank |
| 3 | Ag2r – La Mondiale |
The Spin: Dauphiné Stage 2
The start and finish are only 25km apart but instead today’s stage does a big loop to borrow the route of one of France’s most popular cyclosport rides, the L’Ardéchoise with over 10,000 riders taking part each year. But there’s nothing amateur about today’s stage.