Best rider of this year (2012)?

[Tyler'sTwin]

My arguement for why Purito was better than wiggins is because he did well in GT's and classic races. Where Wiggins only did well in stage races, more specifically the TT's.

GT's and TT's are different races you know. When was the last time someone was the best stage racer AND the best TT'er? Lance, I guess. So Wiggins did well in 2 different types of races and by "did well" I mean DOMINATED both. Now, when you say J-Rod "did well" in stage races, you mean he almost won something. Bit of a difference, don't ya think?

By saying Wiggins never had to dig deep to preserve his lead I meant 2 things, 1. that the races he won were well adapted to him (especially the tour) and 2. the guys he was competeing with weren't at the same level as the guys that Purito had to compete with. Purito's competition was much better and IMO stronger than Wiggins competitors (I'm talking mostly about the Vuelta here so don't start talking about guys like Nibali or Froome vs. Hesjedal or De Gendt ).

Why should Valverde be rated a level higher than Nibali in GT's? The latter has better results. What races did J-Rod win that did not suit him? Even the GT's he did not win were perfect for him.

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

But he only lost to Valverde and Contador because of his and Katusha's tactical mistakes on stage 17. he beat Valverde and Contador on stage 6,9, 12, 14, 16, and 20. And for the majority of the Vuelta Rodriguez lead both of them in the GC. There is no denying Purito was right next to Contador the strongest in the Vuelta.

Valverde flat *** dropped J-Rod on stage 17 and rode away from him by 2 minutes. Keep in mind Piti also lost a minute due to a crash.

 

[Afrank]

GT's and TT's are different races you know. When was the last time someone was the best stage racer AND the best TT'er? Lance, I guess. So Wiggins did well in 2 different types of races and by "did well" I mean DOMINATED both. Now, when you say J-Rod "did well" in stage races, you mean he almost won something. Bit of a difference, don't ya think?

There wasn't a lot of competition to "dominate" in the TT's. Yes wiggins did good in stage races this year, I never said he didn't but getting on the podium in 2 GT's in a single season is by no means a bad accomplishment either. And the only reason Wiggins dominated stage races were because he could TT better than everyone else and because of the route (for the tour at least).

Why should Valverde be rated a level higher than Nibali in GT's? The latter has better results. What races did J-Rod win that did not suit him? Even the GT's he did not win were perfect for him.

What races did Wiggins win that did not suit him . And the Giro I would say was far from perfect for him. Until this year Rodriguez usually had trouble in the high mountains and had at least one bad day in them, this year he did very well in the high mountains which he has never been suited to like he has been to steep hill finishes.

Valverde flat *** dropped J-Rod on stage 17 and rode away from him by 2 minutes. Keep in mind Piti also lost a minute due to a crash.

Whats your point? I said he lost to Valverde and Contador because of stage 17.

 

[usedtobefast]

i have to give it to Wiggins even though he is kind of boring and my least favorite riderr on that list. Sagan was my favorite this year.
Wiggins had the best season all in all.

 

[Richeypen]

Probably for you, but not for most people. .

What a remarkably stupid comment. Wiggins and Jrod entered the races to win them, not to be exciting and make the fans happy. They are paid money by sponsors to win a race. Wiggins and Bonnen were very good at it this year, Jrod not as good. This is not a 'who was the most exciting rider' poll it is who is the best rider and that goes to who got the best results in the biggest races and that simply isnt Jrod. Its a real shame you cant be objective, especially where Wiggins is concerned.

 

[cineteq]

What a remarkably stupid comment. Wiggins and Jrod entered the races to win them, not to be exciting and make the fans happy.

Exactly. You might need to clean you *ears*. I was talking about fans/people, not riders.

PS: I've been kind enough not to call your comments stupid, just saying.

 

[Leonardus]

Overall, Vos of course.

Just men's racing.
1st Wiggins. 3 WT stage races, Tour and Olympic Gold, all high quality wins
2nd Purito, great season but failed to win a GT, most constant rider of the season.
3rd Boonen, by far the strongest one day rider this season.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

I can't believe Purito is even included in this debate. In 20 years time, Wiggo 2012 and Boonen 2012 will still be talked about as lgendary seasons. Purito's will be long forgotten.

 

[johnnycash]

Come on Purito fanboys, it has to be Wiggo.

Rodriquez was clearly strong but he won what, 2 monuments and some stages of the Giro and Vuelta. What he 'almost' won doesn't matter.

Wiggo only got beaten once, and he was riding for Porte there, everything he and Sky went for, they cleaned up.

Boonen 2nd as his wins are more signfiicant than Puritos.

 

[cineteq]

Wiggo only got beaten once, and he was riding for Porte there, everything he and Sky went for, they cleaned up.

Yes, it's been said already. Sky is the rider of 2012.

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

There wasn't a lot of competition to "dominate" in the TT's.

But the competition at the Fleche and Lombardia was legendary?

Yes wiggins did good in stage races this year, I never said he didn't but getting on the podium in 2 GT's in a single season is by no means a bad accomplishment either.

It's not even in the same dimension as winning the P-N, Romandie, Dauphine and TdF quadruple.

And the only reason Wiggins dominated stage races were because he could TT better than everyone else and because of the route (for the tour at least).

The only reason Roddy was best or 2nd best LOSER in a few stage races is because he could kick in the last 500 m and pick up 4s + bonus.

What races did Wiggins win that did not suit him .

You're the one who claimed Brad didn't win any races that didn't suit him, as if Rod did.

And the Giro I would say was far from perfect for him.

There were several nice & short MTF's and the one 'long' ITT was pretty short and technical.

Until this year Rodriguez usually had trouble in the high mountains and had at least one bad day in them, this year he did very well in the high mountains which he has never been suited to like he has been to steep hill finishes.

Do you really wanna go down this road? Wiggans used to climb with the autobus, FGS!

Whats your point? I said he lost to Valverde and Contador because of stage 17.

Yeah, because they were stronger, not because of lousy tactics.

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

I can't believe Purito is even included in this debate. In 20 years time, Wiggo 2012 and Boonen 2012 will still be talked about as lgendary seasons. Purito's will be long forgotten.

Exactamundo.

 

[johnnycash]

While I'm pro-Wiggo on this, I can see the arguement for Purito. If he had a stronger team, better tactics and a little luck, we could be talking about a 2 x GT and 3 x monument winner, which would be mighty impressive.

Two questions above, one race that Wiggo won that didn't suit him was the bunch sprint in Romandie was it?

And I think its harsh to say Valv and AC had the measure of Jrod in the vuelta, he was strong enough but blew it through bad recovery management and lack of concentration on one phase of one stage. He paid a big price for some variables not going his way, other races on other days, AC's attack wouldn't have stuck. It just wasn't his year.

 

[MellowJohnny]

I would edge for Wiggins (Not just because I'm British) but because he achieved his objectives, the Tour and a Gold Medal, that said many could assume Boonen did also, a one day race is much harder perhaps because you don't have the chance to come back the next day,

J Rod deserve a big mention (though he's a distant 3rd) on the basis of a great all round showing, Remember Boonen couldn't win the Tour nor Wiggins a Cobbled Classic.

Don't think Vino should be in this though

 

[gustienordic]

I would edge for Wiggins (Not just because I'm British) but because he achieved his objectives, the Tour and a Gold Medal, that said many could assume Boonen did also, a one day race is much harder perhaps because you don't have the chance to come back the next day,

J Rod deserve a big mention (though he's a distant 3rd) on the basis of a great all round showing, Remember Boonen couldn't win the Tour nor Wiggins a Cobbled Classic.

Don't think Vino should be in this though

Apparently you have never come across the ardent Vino fans on this forum. Vino is a favorite and appears in every poll. Since you appear to be new here, i'll give you a little warning: many people here bash those who think Wiggins is great, and most dislike the Schlecks to the very core.

 

[johnnycash]

Vino is hero-worshipped on here for some reason, can't see why.

He only won the olympics because no-one marked him as he wasn't considered a threat, possibly

Schlecks however - can't stand them either and can wholly understand it.

 

[MellowJohnny]

Apparently you have never come across the ardent Vino fans on this forum. Vino is a favorite and appears in every poll. Since you appear to be new here, i'll give you a little warning: many people here bash those who think Wiggins is great, and most dislike the Schlecks to the very core.

Thank Gustienordic

I have no allegiance to any riders past or present (despite the Username)

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Vino is hero-worshipped on here for some reason, can't see why.

He only won the olympics because no-one marked him as he wasn't considered a threat, possibly

Schlecks however - can't stand them either and can wholly understand it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZCdDNk2V4Q&feature=related - need no explaining
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TsMpNWkXJ8 - Vino is a beast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9LBsWCNE9I - best tt of the decade

just a couple of examples of why he is clearly a god like creature

 

[gustienordic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zcddnk2v4q&feature=related - need no explaining
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tsmpnwkxj8 - vino is a beast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9lbswcne9i - best tt of the decade

just a couple of examples of why he is clearly a god like creature

heheheheh :d

 

[the asian]

Come on Purito fanboys, it has to be Wiggo.

Rodriquez was clearly strong but he won what, 2 monuments and some stages of the Giro and Vuelta. What he 'almost' won doesn't matter.

.

Purito won only one monument. if he had won 2 monuments along with 2 GT podiums he would clearly be the Best rider of the year.

Boonen, on the other hand won 2 monuments.

 

[the asian]

Vino is hero-worshipped on here for some reason, can't see why.

He only won the olympics because no-one marked him as he wasn't considered a threat, possibly

Schlecks however - can't stand them either and can wholly understand it.

If you are a fan of attacking riding you will be a fan of Vino.

Ofc I perfectly understand why a fan of Wiggo wouldn't understand why Vino is hero- worshiped here.

 

[Afrank]

But the competition at the Fleche and Lombardia was legendary?

Lombardia- Sanchez, Contador, Uran, Henao,
Fleche-Gilbert, Vanendert isn't too bad, Albasini is capable of producing some epic rides.
There was virtually no one that could beat Wiggins in the TT's because Martin and Cancellara both had seasons plagued by injuries.

It's not even in the same dimension as winning the P-N, Romandie, Dauphine and TdF quadruple.

You apperently are only looking at who had the most wins to decide who wast the best rider of 2012, I am looking at more than just who won a lot.

You're the one who claimed Brad didn't win any races that didn't suit him, as if Rod did.

Yeah, I did claim that, Wiggins didn't win any races that didn't suit him.

Do you really wanna go down this road? Wiggans used to climb with the autobus, FGS!

So are you denying that Rodriguez has in the past always had at least one bad day in the mountains in the GT's? Rodriguez made great leaps forward this year in changing himself into more of a GT contender. And not just in consistency in the mountains in the TT as well.

Yeah, because they were stronger, not because of lousy tactics

Rodriguez said he felt good on stage 17, and tactics did actually play a big part in Contadors attack just like they played a big part in Wiggins winning the tour. Like I said before Rodriguez lost the Vuelta because of stage 17.


We seem to have reached a stalemate and are now just repeating points that have already been said, so unless you have something new to say then I'm done here.

 

[Angliru]

for ****'s sake.. not bloody vos again..

Buzz Killington approves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f68VXKMZT1Q

The poll doesn't specify men or women. She is worthy of being considered. Get over it.

 

[Angliru]

Not directly of course but you can read between the lines.

Or were you clueless it was about men? Don't give me that ****.

No offense, but it's someone else's fault that you failed to specify to whom you were gearing this thread? The fact that this is the "Professional Road Racing" forum, not the "Men's Professional Road Racing" forum and that there has been multiple threads about women pro's leaves the options open....unless you're specific with your thread title and opening post. We'll accept that it is simply an oversight on your part that you didn't include Vos in your choices.

I think Zam and Libertine are simply doing a service by trying to enlighten us all about the greatness that is Vos. If they truly believe she has been the most impressive pro this year what's wrong with them saying so?

 

[guncha]

Wiggins of course.