This full carbon saddle sat aboard Warren Barguil’s (Argos-Shimano) Felt for the 139km stage. It’s a custom moulded prototype from Shimano subsidiary Pro.
This full carbon saddle sat aboard Warren Barguil’s (Argos-Shimano) Felt for the 139km stage. It’s a custom moulded prototype from Shimano subsidiary Pro. - Sam Dansie/BikeRadar
Many of the Shimano-sponsored teams’ top riders operated the Di2 thumb shifters – perfect for the climb to Vamorel. - Sam Dansie/BikeRadar
Prompts to remind riders of the day’s obstacles featured on many riders’ stems – this version looks cut out Luis Ángel Maté’s (Cofidis) road book and gives plenty of detail - Sam Dansie/BikeRadar
This Vacansoleil rider went for broad brush stroke information and scribbled down summits and distances on tape - Sam Dansie/BikeRadar
They had also taped over the irrelevant numbers on their Cycle-Ops computer - Sam Dansie/BikeRadar
Most teams slung out the high profile wheels. The bike of Europcar’s Thomas Voeckler rolled on Campagnolo Ultra Hyperon 2 wheels - Sam Dansie/BikeRadar
Ex-speed skater Tom Jelte Slagter and a number of other riders at Blanco stuck with C50 wheels despite the gradients. That’s an extra-small TCR Advanced if you’re wondering - Sam Dansie/BikeRadar
Cannondale, like teams throughout the peloton opted for large cassettes with a big spread of gears - Sam Dansie/BikeRadar
Zipp 202 tubulars offered lightness to the Saxo-Tinkoff Bank team and its leader, Alberto Contador - Sam Dansie/BikeRadar
The first ascent into the high mountains brought an emergent order to the general classification of the Critérium du Dauphiné. Chris Froome (Team Sky) leapt into the lead after answering the attack of Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff Bank) with one of his own in the closing metres of the race to take the yellow jersey by almost a minute.
Froome’s team-mate Richie Porte claimed second on GC, while yesterday’s yellow jersey, Rohan Dennis, cracked badly in the closing kilometres but held on to third place.
At the start in Grésy sur Aix, the teams’ equipment choices signified the arduous day ahead. Many teams opted for low profile, lighter wheels and plenty of teeth on the riders’ cassettes – a 28 tooth sprocket on the back was common.
And in the same way as riders carry bar-mounted prompts warning them of approaching cobbled sections during the Classics, some riders used the same principle today and marked down the summits and the kilometre distances on whatever came to hand – medical tape was a popular choice.
Cannondale, like teams throughout the peloton opted for large cassettes with a big spread of gears : cannondale, like teams throughout the peloton opted for large cassettes with a big spread of gears - Sam Dansie/BikeRadar
Today's steep climbs called for some big sprockets at the back
Sam Dansie is a former contributor to BikeRadar. With 15 years experience working in cycling media, Sam also worked for Procycling and was a script writer for GCN.
This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
