Best classic rider

[Krzysztof_O]

It's interesting how close are Cancellara's and MVP's stats in the monuments. Both won RVV and PR 3 times and also have MSR victories (1 and 2 respectively). In terms of podiums it's 16-15 in Cancellara's favour. Obviously MVP still has time to increase the gap between the duo. I think in terms of level they are the best cobbles riders in this century (I give an edge to MVP though).

 

[ChasingPotatoes]

Cancellara is more similar to WvA than to MvdP imho:
Big engine, elite TT, king of the peloton in the TdF, the odd good result in a 1-week race that suits them, cobbled classics and MSR and good in WC / olympic races, and always racing with a big target on the back.

You can argue all you want about one winning more than the other, but there isn't really much difference between them in terms of physique, power, talent, TT, FTP, sprint,... There are differences of course but lots of interesting similarities.

I can't find any rider now and before that I can compare with MvdP. He's one of a kind, really. Same with Pog, but in terms of 'aura' he has when starting a race, I can imagine it was similar as with Merckx.