Buffalo Soldier said:The younger the rider, the less haters
(although of course there are exceptions, cf ricco vs Voigt)
less successful the rider, the less haters (especially if rider is a hard working domestic).
I'd use the term 'top rider' in a broader sense, someone in a position to win or is an important part of placing a rider to win, for example I would include Tiralongo as a top rider that I think few would dislike or indeed Kiserlovski on the other side of the age scale