The overall contenders and TT specialists are gearing up for a major clash in today’s time trial at the Critérium du Dauphiné, a 42.5 kilometre test which is long enough to play a significant part in the outcome of the event. The race against the clock in Grenoble assumes an additional importance in that it is precisely the same as the route which will be used for the time trial during the Tour de France.
Both factors mean that the big guns in the race will be highly motivated for this afternoon’s effort. Race leader Alexandre Vinokourov is a stronger time trialist than many of the lighter riders who are close to him in the general classification, and will see today as a chance to build a buffer before the steep climbs ahead.
“The time trial is important. It’ll be a serious test for me,” he stated. “I’ll see if my legs can handle the effort. I’ll be the last starter with the yellow jersey. I think I can ride a good time trial, we’ll see…
“We’ve already seen the course and it is not easy.”
Vinokourov won the race back in 1999 and given that he is possibly in the final year of his career, is psyched to bookend it with another overall victory.
Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Omega Pharma Lotto) is currently second overall, eleven second behind Vinokourov. He lost six seconds yesterday when he punctured close to the finish and was given the same time as the peloton rather than the first riders; he knows that he has to pull out a big ride today.
“I’m still looking for the best rhythm in the race. I yet don’t have the speed that I’d like in my legs yet, but it’s coming. It only has to be good at the Tour de France,” he said after yesterday’s stage. “We’ll see tomorrow how I can time trial. I have no idea of what I can achieve. I hope to not lose too much time.”
He is level in the general classification with Bradley Wiggins. The Sky Procycling rider is a real TT specialist and if he can race as he has been this year, has a chance to both win the stage and also to take over the race lead. If things go particularly well, he could open up a big lead over his other rivals for the general classification.
Team-mate Edvald Boasson Hagen is another who could fare very well in the test. Directeur sportif Sean Yates said yesterday that the team was very motivated. “We’re well geed up, we’re looking forward to it. It is a tough time trial, and being the final time trial of the Tour gives it a bit of extra glamour. In my opinion it's going to suit Bradley down to the ground.”
It should also suit Cadel Evans who, like Wiggins, was isolated for a while yesterday when he missed a split in the bunch. He’s already won Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour de Romandie this year, and has the time trial ability to fight for the win today.
The BMC Racing Team rider said after the stage that he was drawing additional motivation from the lapse in concentration which nearly cost him overall contention. “I am interested to see the TT course, which will be used again for the Tour, and of course make up for my lousy performance today.”
Evans will begin the stage fourth in the general classification, 13 seconds behind Vinokourov. Irishman Nicolas Roche (Ag2r La Mondiale) is four seconds further back. “I had a ride around the TT course…it’s very demanding,” he said on Twitter a short while ago. “I’m a bit nervous, it’s an important day for the GC. I hope to do a good time trial.”
Defending champion Janez Brajkovic has been relatively quiet thus far in the race, even if he is sitting seventh overall, 26 seconds back. He won the TT last year, beating Alberto Contador and others. If he’s to fight for the overall win in the race, he knows that he has to pull something out of the bag today.
One rider who is no longer in contention but who must be considered as a possible winner of the time trial is the German Tony Martin. He finished a long way back yesterday but, according to a team source, is likely to have backed off in order to keep his legs fresh for today. He’s been in excellent form this season and could well challenge for the victory this afternoon. Prologue winner Lars Boom (Rabobank) will also be movitated; his chances will depend on how he handles the two drags on the course.
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See time trial start times here: