Best All-Rounder Rider Today?

[El Pistolero]

Hes in the poll. From the poll Valverde is clearly the best all rounder.

Hes missed his last race. Hes got a team, hes got plans for the coming races, hes preparing for next season just like all the other riders, as far as im concerned hes back, and thats why a plurality of cycling fans see him as the best all round rider in the peloton today.

Unless he's been taking massive doping during his ban he's not the best today

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

hm... Leiphemer but no Vino...? world is gone mad

 

[greenedge]

I don't get why Wiggins and Levi are in this. Valverde has not raced for a while so he should not be considered "TODAY"

Scarponi should be in this he's great up climbs, and has a good uphill sprint. If Levi and Wiggins are in here for GC why not PG for his qualities that let him win all the Ardennes or Cancellara who we saw drag everyone up to Contador on stage 16 TDF and also rides everyone off his wheel at Cobbles.

I'll go with Evans because Valverde is not in yet, Contador cannot win sprints ( stage 4 TDF ) and EBH might not be able to ever challenge at a GT. Nibali, Contador 2nd and 3rd.

 

[Anonymous]

It's hardly an indication of him being a future classics star. Even Farrar got third(or fourth) once in the Ronde van Vlaanderen.

In Mass Sprint, with no selective group, complete different Ronde that this one, not comparable. Well, Thomas is definitely one for me But there's no point arguing the case

maybe Thomas shouldnt be on the list, but Froome... He isnt even the best all rounder at Sky, in fact, hes not even the third best all rounder at Sky...

Thomas, Wiggins, Boasson Hagen, are all ahead of him.

 

[karlboss]

Analytical

I think being an allrounder is largely dependant on what length of effort suits (10 seconds-3 hours +)and repeatability. Then bike handling skills. I consider uphill, and flat as just being suited to lighter or heavier riders.

Ignoring Valverde's form before the ban, and that he is still banned hence shouldn't be on the list, and is too obviously the winner. I think the list becomes different.

Cancellara, Boassen Hagen. Are probably the most rounded I can think of.

I really don't differentiate too much between climbing and TTing both are long efforts.

 

[airstream]

Sorry, how come Valverde is considered to be a great descender? What did he won on the decends? I saw him only losing the Vuelta over there.

 

[cineteq]

I think Geraint has the potential, I think Tony Martin, Vino and Phil Gil are the closest to being all rounders at the moment. None of whom are on your list.

I agree, they have the potential to be there too. I just stuck to the question "TODAY" and based the criteria on the definition of what a good all-rounder should be. In short, they should be able to win GTs and Classics.

I can easily see why Nibali, Wiggins and Froome are not a choice for many of you. I can see a case for the ones TeamSkyFans mentioned, especially Vino, and even Sagan. Sorry but these guys: S. Sanchez, Cunego, Hushovd, Cancellara and Gadret are far from meeting the criteria.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Sorry, how come Valverde is considered to be a great descender? What did he won on the decends? I saw him only losing the Vuelta over there.

He didn't lose the Vuelta to Samuel Sánchez on one. Samu tried to get rid of Valverde, but quickly gave up; he wasn't going anywhere. If anything, he's a better technical descender than Samu. The Caisse d'Epargne unit descending in 2009 was breathtaking at times, with the whole team stringing the group out. Also, how about the descent into Jausiers in the 2008 Tour - Valverde cracked near the top of the Col de la Bonette and crossed the summit with Kirchen, about 40 seconds down on the heads of state. Samuel Sánchez put the pressure on that group on the way down for a while but ultimately didn't gain anything, except that Menchov was distanced and fell into the Kirchen group. Valverde left them behind and caught the heads of state group very quickly.

The problem with Valverde is that because he can usually guarantee to win a sprint from the elites, there are a few skills of his that we don't see as often as we perhaps should, as he figures, why not wait for the sprint.

 

[Parera]

I think Contador is a bit underrated believe it or not. Too bad money (like everyone else in pro cycling) drives his annual race program.

 

[The Hitch]

I agree, they have the potential to be there too. I just stuck to the question "TODAY" and based the criteria on the definition of what a good all-rounder should be. In short, they should be able to win GTs and Classics.

I can easily see why Nibali, Wiggins and Froome are not a choice for many of you. I can see a case for the ones TeamSkyFans mentioned, especially Vino, and even Sagan. Sorry but these guys: S. Sanchez, Cunego, Hushovd, Cancellara and Gadret are far from meeting the criteria.

And just what GTs has Levi Leipheimer won?

Also what 1 day races has he won?

BTW Cunego has won both a gt and a monument. Even your beloved Cuddles hasnt done that.

That was 3 years ago you say?

So again, what is Levi doing on this list.

Under your bizzare definition of all rounder - gt rider who tries the Ardennes, Andy Schleck and Samu deserve to be there above everyone but Valverde and Evans.

 

[The Hitch]

Oh yeah and Peraud lol.

In short, they should be able to win GTs and Classics.

And you think the inclusion of Cunego, Sanchez and Gadret is ridiculous

 

[El Pistolero]

And just what GTs has Levi Leipheimer won?

Also what 1 day races has he won?

BTW Cunego has won both a gt and a monument. Even your beloved Cuddles hasnt done that.

That was 3 years ago you say?

So again, what is Levi doing on this list.

Under your bizzare definition of all rounder - gt rider who tries the Ardennes, Andy Schleck and Samu deserve to be there above everyone but Valverde and Evans.

"should be able to win a GT" is not the same as "has won a GT."

Leipheimer came close to win the Tour in 2007 and the Vuelta in 2008.

 

[airstream]

He didn't lose the Vuelta to Samuel Sánchez on one. Samu tried to get rid of Valverde, but quickly gave up; he wasn't going anywhere. If anything, he's a better technical descender than Samu. The Caisse d'Epargne unit descending in 2009 was breathtaking at times, with the whole team stringing the group out. Also, how about the descent into Jausiers in the 2008 Tour - Valverde cracked near the top of the Col de la Bonette and crossed the summit with Kirchen, about 40 seconds down on the heads of state. Samuel Sánchez put the pressure on that group on the way down for a while but ultimately didn't gain anything, except that Menchov was distanced and fell into the Kirchen group. Valverde left them behind and caught the heads of state group very quickly.

The problem with Valverde is that because he can usually guarantee to win a sprint from the elites, there are a few skills of his that we don't see as often as we perhaps should, as he figures, why not wait for the sprint.

I mean the Vuelta 2006. 40 sec? You're joking, probably. 15 is maximum. Valverde dropped only on the final 400 meter ramp and very quicky caught Schleck, who started the descend being the first from the main pack and no way hurried. Then me also paid attention to how brave Alex was on the downhill but with all due respect I dont see him next to Samu and Contador on the descend from Colle Pra Martino. Very likely, that one was the most technically (sure, if we treat that equally) difficult descend for the last years.

 

[roundabout]

Yeah. It was about 10 seconds or so. But he did well considering he was pedaling squares up the last km of the Bonette.

 

[Altitude]

I agree, they have the potential to be there too. I just stuck to the question "TODAY" and based the criteria on the definition of what a good all-rounder should be. In short, they should be able to win GTs and Classics.

I can easily see why Nibali, Wiggins and Froome are not a choice for many of you. I can see a case for the ones TeamSkyFans mentioned, especially Vino, and even Sagan. Sorry but these guys: S. Sanchez, Cunego, Hushovd, Cancellara and Gadret are far from meeting the criteria.

Just admit your choices sucked.

 

[The Hitch]

"should be able to win a GT" is not the same as "has won a GT."

Leipheimer came close to win the Tour in 2007 and the Vuelta in 2008.

I know, but if I had said that cineteq would have argued that if you haven't won a gt then you are not "able" to win a gt.

BTW Werent you the one screaming at the top of your lungs about the importance of the word "today"? Valverde cant be included on 2010 form. Hence Levis 2008 results don't do him any good either.

Besides, this shows once more how ridiculous cineteqs attempts to justify the exclusion of Sanchez, are.

Your nemesis Andrew has btw shown himself to be able to win both a monument and a gt in the last 6 months alone.

 

[El Pistolero]

I know, but if I had said that cineteq would have argued that if you haven't won a gt then you are not "able" to win a gt.

BTW Werent you the one screaming at the top of your lungs about the importance of the word "today"? Valverde cant be included on 2010 form. Hence Levis 2008 results don't do him any good either.

Besides, this shows once more how ridiculous cineteqs attempts to justify the exclusion of Sanchez, are.

Your nemesis Andrew has btw shown himself to be able to win both a monument and a gt in the last 6 months alone.

But Levi didn't have a bad year this year. Just had a lot of bad luck at the Tour. Besides I'm not making a case for Leipheimer here, just saying that he is able to win Grand Tours and that isn't the same as having actually won one. I wouldn't include Leipheimer for the obvious reason he hasn't done anything at one day races.

As for Andy, he can't descend, can't time trial and can't sprint. Ergo he is not all-rounder. It takes the skills of a good climber to be good at a race like LBL. Doesn't mean he's all-round.

 

[cyclopeon]

Yeah. It was about 10 seconds or so. But he did well considering he was pedaling squares up the last km of the Bonette.

Well, if he's pedalling squares he can't be an all-rounder, can he?!?!

Contador, for me: he hasn't done many northern races but did well in those few. Sprints? well he'll only go full out if there's a gap opening or one to close or if there are bonifications available. There's more to his game than we see in the Tour, but his priorities are masking them.

 

[The Hitch]

But Levi didn't have a bad year this year. Just had a lot of bad luck at the Tour. Besides I'm not making a case for Leipheimer here, just saying that he is able to win Grand Tours and that isn't the same as having actually won one. I wouldn't include Leipheimer for the obvious reason he hasn't done anything at one day races.

As for Andy, he can't descend, can't time trial and can't sprint. Ergo he is not all-rounder. It takes the skills of a good climber to be good at a race like LBL. Doesn't mean he's all-round.

But the definition was that they have to merely be able to win a classic and a GT.

Andy doesnt have to be able to descend or tt or change gears.

He is able to win a gt and a monument, hence hes in.

Also you don't need to lecture me about Levis abilities, I was one of the few who enjoyed his epic win in Suisse and have always argued that he was 1 of the best in his golden years of 07 and 08.

 

[karlboss]

Well, if he's pedalling squares he can't be an all-rounder, can he?!?!

Contador, for me: he hasn't done many northern races but did well in those few. Sprints? well he'll only go full out if there's a gap opening or one to close or if there are bonifications available. There's more to his game than we see in the Tour, but his priorities are masking them.

Any time I've seen Contador sprint to a line he's been beaten...by Evans, but I guess he could win a classic.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I mean the Vuelta 2006. 40 sec? You're joking, probably. 15 is maximum. Valverde dropped only on the final 400 meter ramp and very quicky caught Schleck, who started the descend being the first from the main pack and no way hurried. Then me also paid attention to how brave Alex was on the downhill but with all due respect I dont see him next to Samu and Contador on the descend from Colle Pra Martino. Very likely, that one was the most technically (sure, if we treat that equally) difficult descend for the last years.

Valverde would out-descend Contador no trouble. He just normally doesn't have to rely on that to win, and we don't see him going balls-out near-the-knuckle descending that often.

In 2006 he was coming back from injury after the Tour, so it's not surprising that he might have been a bit more circumspect than normal. Cadel Evans is normally a better descender than he showed on the Mortirolo in 2010, too. Sometimes people have an off day. Sometimes riders do things tactically. After all, Contador could stick with Samuel Sánchez on Colle Pra Martino this year, but last year he didn't drop Andy freaking Schleck on the way down the Col de la Madeleine. Similarly, Nibali flew down Monte Grappa, then had to ride slowly and try not to sigh too audibly as Basso descended like an old lady on the Mortirolo. Maybe those tactics weren't correct sometimes.

Maybe teaming with Luís León Sánchez and David Arroyo made him look less adept downhill than he is, but the guy is very good downhill.

 

[Anonymous]

I would also add Andy Schleck, can climb, can challenge in classics and once JB has finished with him will be putting a minute or two into cancellara and martin in the time trials.

 

[cineteq]

Just admit your choices sucked.

If you can read between the lines, I have already admitted that some of my choices "might haved" sucked.
But common guys, now you're saying A. Schleck should be there, give me a break

I think Contador is a bit underrated believe it or not. Too bad money (like everyone else in pro cycling) drives his annual race program.

The guy's won, almost all GTs after 2007 and people are talking about Gadret, Schleck, Cunego, blah blah blah...
Contador and Evans are the best all-rounders in the market today, bar none! Valverde is not, but I'm looking forward to watching him next year.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

If you can read between the lines, I have already admitted that some of my choices "might haved" sucked.
But common guys, now you're saying A. Schleck should be there, give me a break



The guy's won, almost all GTs after 2007 and people are talking about Gadret, Schleck, Cunego, blah blah blah...
Contador and Evans are the best all-rounders in the market today, bar none! Valverde is not, but I'm looking forward to watching him next year.

The point of being an all-rounder is to have all skills to some degree.

Evans does.

Contador does not.

Contador is versatile; Evans is an all-rounder.

 

[El Pistolero]

The point of being an all-rounder is to have all skills to some degree.

Evans does.

Contador does not.

Contador is versatile; Evans is an all-rounder.

Really, what skills does Evans have that Contador does not?