Criterium du Dauphine
The final starting list for the CdD 2008 is now out. From the list of riders in this years race it’s going to be a hum dinger with all the big names and teams turning out to flex their legs over French Alps in preparation for the Tour De France.
The big names that will face off are Levi Leipheimer to lead out Astana, Alejandro Valverde from Caisse D’Epargne. Michael Rogers heading up Team High Roads eight man squad, this will be a testing time for Rogers as he is on his comeback from Epstein-Barr virus and has not been seen in action on this year Pro Tour after his fall in the 2007 TDF.
The teams to watch for me are… you guessed it: Silent-Lotto with Popovych and Lloyd backing up Evan, Astana have a point to prove to and I’m expecting they won’t hold back in showing the cycling world that they feel they should be in this years TDF. Robobank, Caisse D’Epargne, High Road and Saunier Duval – Scott will all play a big part with the riders named.
Now bring on the curtain raiser, I have prepared the couch as we are weeks away from the only Grand Tour that matters in terms of media coverage. If you are reading this off the RSS feed pop over to the site and take a look at the Tour De France yellow theme with a few of the past legends on the header.
Jurgen Vandenbroeck in the Giro
Well the Giro is well under way, my apologise for not posting for a while. Work has taken over life and all training. I’ve completed all required design documentation for up and coming projects so it’s back to the land of cycling for me.
Right back to the Giro. Every morning I’ve been racing into work (on the train) and hitting my two prominent site for information. Cyclingnews & VeloNews for a full breakdown on the days racing. I’ve been impressed by a few young guns and am interested to see where they go from here. For me it’s been Jurgen Vandenbroeck, this 25 year old is currently sitting in the top 10 in the Giro. He clearly has potential and another positive is he has his own blog site… this kids got style.
He’s a pick for a spot in the TDF Silence Lotto’s team fir this year, If Cadel is to attempt a win in the 2008 TDF Jurgen is an excellent choice as a second lieutenant along with Popovych. I’m keeping my cards close to my chest for my picks at this year tour until about a week out. If Jurgen make the team then there is a good chance for Silence Lotto to get a result in the GC if not the podium.
Giro d Italia
The first Grand tour for 2008 is under way, I’m not going to post on the Giro but have a look at the resource below that has been provided by VeloNews.com. Watch the Giro live (if you have the bandwidth) and don’t miss a second of the action.
Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré 2008
June 8, 2008 - June 15, 2008
Le Pontet (Avignon) - Grenoble (1092.7 Km)
After watching an interview with Levi on VeloNews.tv, this year Dauphiné Libéré will be Astana’s final one finger salute to the Tour de France and other cycling bodies. The three riders from Astana to take part will be Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer and Maxim Iglinsky. Quite a tidy team of climbers.
News this morning on VeloNews, it also looks like Astana may just get an invertation to this year Giro d’Italia which was considered off the cards at the beginning of the season.
As the Dauphiné Libéré is only two weeks out to the start of the Tour De France there are a number of big names that will be racing the Dauphiné Libére as a final check on how their form is looking heading into the biggest of Grand Tours.
Dauphiné Libéré 2008 Race Route
The Teams & Riders
Silence-Lotto (BEL): Cadel Evans, Yaroslav Popovych, Volodymyr Bileka
Quick Step (BEL): Tom Boonen, Gert Steegmans, Carlos Barredo
Team CSC (DEN): Alexander Kolobnev, Chis Anker Sorensen, Inigo Custa
Caisse d’Epargne (ESP): Alejandro Valverde, Oscar Pereiro, Luis Sanchez
Euskaltel-Euskadi (ESP): Samuel Sanchez, Mikel Astarloza, Haimar Zubeldia
Saunier Duval-Scott (ESP): Juan Cobo, Angel Gomez Marchante
AG2R (FRA): Vladimi Efimkin, John Gadret, Cyril Dessel
Bouygues Telecom (FRA): Pierrick Fedrigo, Laurent Lefevre
Crédit Agricole (FRA): Thor Hushovd, Patrice Halgand
Cofidis (FRA): David Moncoutié, Sylvain Chavanel, Samuel Dumoulin
Française des Jeux (FRA): Philippe Gilbert, Sandy Casar, Rémy Di Grégorio
Gerolsteiner (GER): Heinrich Haussler, Sébastian Lang
High Road (USA): Bradley Wiggins, Michael Rogers
Team Milram (USA): Igor Astarloa, Andriy Grivko, Niki Terpstra
Lampre (ITA): Mattéo Bono, Paolo Bossoni, Marzio Bruseghin
Liquigas (ITA): Manuel Beltran, Léonardo, Bertagnolli, Enrico Franzoi
Rabobank (NED): Robert Gesink, Juan Antonio Flecha
Astana (KAZ): Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer, Maxim Iglinsky
Michael Rogers
After seeing Rogers unfortunate crash in the 2007 Tour de France while in being in the virtual yellow jersey on the road. Rogers has disappeared off my Pro tour radar.
After watching this year Spring Racing Classics I noticed that Rogers was not present in any of the starting lists. This got me thinking “where the bloody hell are you Rogers?” On a quick internet search I found the following info. Mr Rogers has again contracted Epstein-Barr virus and will out of training for 4 – 8 weeks depending on the web report you read. As this news is a shade over a month old at the time of this posting I must admit that I missed this bit of info all together.
The projected recovery time will have him in compete rest for the first 4 weeks and not to return to the bike for not be returning to training until early May 2008. This has undoubtedly pulled Rogers off as team leader of Team High Roads Giro d’Italia team and might end his ride in the Tour de France.
Primal OdysseyThe Weather
BrisbaneFriday, 21 November, 2008, 4:18 pm 
Partly sunny
current temperature: 27°Csunrise: 4:46
sunset: 18:22
Forecast Saturday, 22 November, 2008 day 
Mostly cloudy
27°CForecast Sunday, 23 November, 2008 day 
Mostly sunny
26°CGallery
