Stage 6 Criterium du Dauphine
If anyone watched today’s stage they would have been left in no doubt that the strongest rider in this Tour is Bradley Wiggins but also that the strongest team is SKY. Despite all of Cadel Evans and Vincenzo Nibali’s efforts, the 11 man breakaway which moved to attack Wiggins lead was closed down easily bu Wiggo and co. When they were almost upon them Wiggins then jumped across easily and for me even more impressive was when Nibali went on the attack, Wiggins was limpet-like on his wheel down the twisty narrow descent. That shows me Wiggins is confident, strong and unafraid of hurting himself on dangerous roads and tomorrow he’ll get a chance to bear this out and take the stage. Like the marker he wanted to set for the time trial I think he may wish to do something simliar in the mountains.
With 3 massive mountain passes and 3 other smaller categorised climbs Team SKY will once again try to control the race. I fear for any breakaway attempt as the pace might be akin to a Tour stage rather than a prep race. Wiggins will show that he can ascend with the best of them but also that he can descend as well as anyone and this is important as the finish tomorrow is a straight downhill run from the top of the Joux Plane. Anyone with a 20 second gap will stay away. Likely candidates for attack are Voeckler and Nibali but I’ve a feeling Wiggins will go with them with ease. In a sprint I think he could take them both.
So my bet tomorrow is Bradley Wiggins at the massive price of 33/1 with BET 365. Nibali should also be among the top 3 and I’ll back him also.
Advised Bet
Bradley Wiggins 1.5 pt e/w @ 33/1 BET Victor (pays 1,2,3)
Vincenzo Nibali 1 pt e/w @ 6/1 BET Victor (pays 1,2,3)
Posted on June 9, 2012, in Stage Races and tagged betting, criterium du dauphine, cycling, sports, Wheeliebets. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
Touches of the brilliance and the ridiculousness about TEAM SKY in today’s performance which ultimately cost us a return on our 33/1 tip Wiggins. SKY rode all but a select group off their wheel up the climb and in the process closed down an earlier 17 man break going for stage victory, none of whom were threats to the Overall Classification.
One would have surmised the stage win was their focus such was the speed they ascended the final climb. However just before the top, the main driving force of SKY Richie Porte was unable to continue at the same speed which led to a mediocre attack by Quintana which he maintained to the top of the climb. The Colombian is known as a good all rounder so took his chances in descending and ultimately SKY had no answer as he went on to win the stage. Mistake Number 1 by SKY.
Mistake Number 2 was letting Cadel Evans get away with ease. I actually do not think SKY could go any faster for further and despite all talk they were comfortable and taking their time descending, I think they played second fiddle to an Evans who grafted up the climb but wasn’t burned off, attacked near the top unsuccessfully and then attacked on the descent again. Good racing and impressive given he’s about 3 weeks off Tour form. Still a massive danger in the Tour itself.
Mistake Number 3 was the pace they descended at which left stragglers from the back get back on like Moreno who then went on to pip Wiggins for 3rd spot.
Overall very disappointing when it looked as if it would be SKY whitewash with 4 riders in top 10. But for none of them to win a stage after all their hard work for Wiggins this week – that’s bound to resonate through their ranks and tactically I believe a massive mistake. It was the least Wiggins could have done to thank them, help chase down Quintana and Evans and gift a stage to a team-mate.
Either that or he couldn’t do it.