It’s All Uphill at the Critérium du Dauphiné
Written by Daniel Turner, Thursday June 10 2010
Janez Brajkovic appears comfortable captaining the Radio Shack team in the Critérium du Dauphiné. He finished today in third place at the conclusion of the fourth stage which introduced the mountainous portion of the course. Brajkovic will spend two more days in the Alps, but he may not complain if he continues at his current pace.
He earned the yellow jersey after stage four while losing no time against Alberto Contador (Astana) and gaining ground on David Millar (Garmin-Transitions) and Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Columbia) who started the day second and third respectively.
Brajkovic battled a tough head wind while keeping time with Contador. He claimed satisfaction at being able to maintain his rivals pace. Additionally he was excited about the Radio Shack team escorting him. He feels good about the team saying he was concerned for his health coming off of a bout of illness after the Tour of California. However, today’s mountain climb convinced him he is in full form.
Although confident, Brajkovic is not ready to claim the race. He is aware that he must best Contador on L'Alpe d'Huez. However, they will enter the queen’s stage of the race on equal footing since neither rider has ever been on this Alp. It is not part of the Tour de France and it is included for the first time in the Dauphiné.
Brajkovic is new to the French Alps and confesses they appear difficult, but if day one in the mountains is an indication, he could prove to be the captain that leads Radio Shack to victory.
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