Best Rider to never wear the rainbow jersey on the road

[MatParker117]

So inspired by a Velonews article I've decided to ask this forum. Who is the best rider to never win a road world title? For me Miguel, who's it for you?

 

[TheYouyou7]

Contador

 

[BeagRigh]

Probably the most surprising on that list, given there relative skillsets, is Kelly.

 

[BigMac]

Gonna go with Kelly. Because of his one-day palmares and because if there ever were riders capable of winning a WC, on whatever terrain, he was on of them.

 

[Jagartrott]

Contador

You have to participate first to have a shot.

 

[WheelofGear]

Kelly. Given that the Worlds is often a hilly classics race.

 

[Mr.White]

De Vlaeminck and Kelly because of their flawless classics palmares, it would fit perfectly. And Valverde because of that incredible streak of World's medals

 

[LaFlorecita]

Contador

You have to participate first to have a shot.

That he never gave it a shot doesn't mean he can't be the best rider to never wear the rainbow jersey on the road

 

[Valv.Piti]

Contador

You have to participate first to have a shot.

That he never gave it a shot doesn't mean he can't be the best rider to never wear the rainbow jersey on the road

But him really not caring about WC's doesnt really earn him a spot on this list imo.

 

[Armchair cyclist]

Votes are not recording. I think it needs to be deleted and reposted or something similar. Kelly for me.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Given that De Vlaeminck won 11 monuments - and all 5 of them - he's for me the most surprising. Indurain is arguable the best rider per se on that list, but not the best "WC rider".

 

[Nick C.]

I went with best rider and voted Anquetil. Poor DeVlaeminck, he might have had to battle for second best on his team most years.

 

[Red Rick]

You should've mentioned that you probably mean riders who actually aim for one day races, including the worlds.

Contador if you include stage racers

Valverde I guess if you exclude pure stage racers (not too sure, I don't know very much about cycling pre 2000, but cmon, 6 medals and no gold has to be up there)

Vino, if Vino (WHERE IS IT!!)

edit, no idea that Kelly never won one

 

[Jagartrott]

That he never gave it a shot doesn't mean he can't be the best rider to never wear the rainbow jersey on the road

I think he should have tried. He has the class, the race instinct and the team to do well. I'm sad he never aimed for it, and I think he may regret that after his carreer is over.

 

[jens_attacks]

davide rebellin

but it's not too late, cassani!

 

[jsem94]

RdV or Sean Kelly.

 

[happytramp]

Kelly given the type of rider he was is by far the most surprising..... Although technically Anquetil is probably the 'Best' rider not to win it.

 

[Irondan]

Is the poll working for anybody else?

 

[happytramp]

nope.......

 

[Irondan]

MatParker117 needs to edit the poll by following the steps laid out by bigmac in the 'Creating Polls' thread.

If you have any trouble mat let me know.

 

[blutto]

....voted Kelly....but the poll, she ain't workin' eh....

Cheers

 

[ice&fire]

Re:

Given that De Vlaeminck won 11 monuments - and all 5 of them - he's for me the most surprising. Indurain is arguable the best rider per se on that list, but not the best "WC rider".

..yet he has more WC medals than De Vlaeminck and Kelly, and one of them after giving the win away to Olano

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Considering there were no World Championships to win between 1938 and 1946, Gino isn't an option?

 

[MatParker117]

Polls working.

 

[SeriousSam]

Depends on what we mean by best. Valverde is probably the most robust answer because he'd be an acceptable answer for different criteria. Great palmares, greater talent, closest without winning.