The Criterium is a week-long road cycling stage race that each year precedes (and in part previews) the more glorious, three-week long Tour de France. It is run in southern France, in the area historically known as Dauphiné, which now comprises several districts. It usually includes famous climbs in the Alps that typically also feature in the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia, such as Galibier, Ventoux, Huez, and Colombière. This year, only the latter is included, but it is included twice, with two climbs on two different sides. In the past, these climbs have been won by top climbers the likes of Virenque, Pantani, and Schleck, both at the Tour and at the Criterium.
More specifically, the Criterium is well-known in the cycling world for its ability to test the top riders' shape between the end of the Giro and the start of the Tour. A small but significant portion of the Tour is run on the same roads; the structure of the Criterium usually mirrors that of the Tour; the start list is often very similar; the type of terrain is almost identical; and both races are organized by the same committee.
And if you're new to the world of road cycling, you must know that gossip and debate are central to the sport and that what happens off the road is discussed almost as much as the sporting event proper. So since the Tour is the world's most important cycling event, and given all the similarities above, what happens in the Criterium inevitably pours over into the Tour a few weeks later. So whatever happens, it is sure to be a media feast!
This year's route isn't as challenging as it has been in past year, but I think it will be awesome due to three HC climbs (Hors Catégorie: so tough as to be "beyond categorization") and an all-star start list: 2011 Tour champion Cadel Evans, this year's Tour favorite Andy Schleck, 2011 Criterium winner Bradley Wiggins, and then Vinokourov, Menchov, Nibali, Voeckler, Martin, Chavanel, and many more. Read the full start list here.
Many more updates to come in the following days!
EDIT: The Grenoble prologue, a 6.5 kilometer / 3.1 mile individual time trial, was won by the young Aussie, Luke Durbridge. 2011 champ Wiggins came in a close second. Worrying performance by Schleck, who managed to lose almost 40 seconds from Wiggins in such a short time trial. This is so relevant because the upcoming Tour de France includes over 100 km in time trial events, which could put Schleck at a major disadvantage, even though he's expected to dominate the climbs.
No comments:
Post a Comment