Aging veterans: who will be best in 2013?

[Afrank]

Keeping the polls going so we have something to discuss in the off season, which of cyclings aging veterans (former GT contenders) will be best in 2013.

For this thread I would define an aging veteran as someone born before 1979 at least, who has had one or more seasons that indicates they could be in decline and aren't likely to be winning anymore of the really big races.

There is of course the possibility that the riders in the poll could improve on this last season, but I would say these are the 6 riders that can most be seen a being past their prime.

 

[The Hitch]

Sanchez should be in the poll, he is Menchov's age. Pellizoti too.

Ill go for Sanchez or maybe Evans. Menchov is dead to me and the others are too old.

And if you are counting Scarponi then Purito should be in there too, he is 3 months younger.

So in conclusion, Purito by a country mile.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Cuddle imo

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Scarponi by a mile.
Menchov will rebound a bit.

 

[Afrank]

snachez should be in the poll, he is Menchov's age.

I considered Sanchez, but his bad performance this year was mostly due to injuries. And his 2nd in Lombardia shows he may not yet be past his prime.

Purito just had a great season so I don't think he can be considered past his prime either.

Similar situation with Pellizotti, he was coming back from a ban and still had some good results this year that indicate he may not yet be past his prime.

 

[ElChingon]

Other: Contador he's no young pup anymore, and the rest on the list really should retire.

 

[Pippo_San]

RoboBasso's gonna end with one last BANG!

 

[Parker]

Sanchez should be in the poll, he is Menchov's age.

It's not the age you need to worry about, it's the mileage. Menchov has started 21 Grand Tours - two a year for the last nine years. There's a toll to be paid. He's burnt out early, just like Sastre did.

By contrast Sanchez has started far fewer GTs and has very rarely done two in one season - he's still good for a couple more years at least.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Cuddles. He will come back and surprise a lot of people, like he often does.

 

[42x16ss]

Sanchez. I also think that O'Grady and Voigt will show up a lot of guys too, even if they don't rack up any big wins. I'm expecting big final seasons from both of them.

 

[Alphabet]

Evans, I hope. Though I think Basso might still be able to pull out a podium finish at one of the GT's.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Overall performance: Evans by a country mile. I don't expect too much from him in the Tour, though.

 

[ILovecycling]

I voted Scarponi,but I think Pellizoti will be even better

 

[gregrowlerson]

Kloden

Well he wasn't too far behind Cadel in last years Tour (though admittedly Evans put in some big efforts whilst Klodi just rode annonymously). I hope that he finally gives the Giro a go, and can finish in the top ten. Then ride as handy support to Andy in July. Certainly his days of a GT podium are gone, but so might be the rest of the riders on this list.

 

[jens_attacks]

papy horner and davide rebellin will rock the pro cycling world next year

the other mentioned riders are still teenagers

 

[Ruudz0r]

Di Luca!

10 char

 

[Dazed and Confused]

papy horner and davide rebellin will rock the pro cycling world next year

the other mentioned riders are still teenagers

These old school guys without helmet.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Tiralongo will win next years giro after Nibbles crack so i'll go for him

 

[movingtarget]

Basso and Menchov seem to have gone the same way as Sastre late in his career. Don't expect much from Scarponi either. I think Evans will do well and Horner will look good in the races like TOC and the shorter stage races.

 

[trevim]

Tiralongo will win next years giro after Nibbles crack so i'll go for him

I'm not Velasco, no gifts for you!

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

I'm not Velasco, no gifts for you!

Said Tiralongo a cold winters day in the middle of december. Nibali could see it in his eyes that it was true, he hang his bike up in march 2013

 

[MagnusMagnussen]

42 years old Niko 'Rambo' Eeckhout

 

[Dazed and Confused]

42 years old Niko 'Rambo' Eeckhout

yeah, lots of single digit placements in 2012 along with two wins (UCI races). Wouldn't mind seeing him win a race in 2013.

 

[iZnoGouD]

Evans and Horner will both have an amazing season
The others should all retire

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

rebellin will have a great year