Who does everyone think were the biggest winners and losers of 2011? Who shined and who flopped?
Winners:
Contador - Even though he lost at the Tour, his Giro performance was quite the memorable one. He showed everyone who the top dog was and defeated his rivals physically and mentally. He showed that nobody is in his league when he's at his best. He did get humbled a little by not winning both GT's.
Froome - From nobody to possible GC contender within 3 weeks. Good times for him.
Philippe Gilbert - Did just about everything aside from winning the World Championships. Had one of the better years that I can remember in recent times. 2011 was the year of Gilbert.
Cavendish - Finally got the elusive green jersey and got a World Championship.
Evans - Never thought he would pull it off but he did. He had luck in his corner and did what needed to be done at the right time.
Steven Kruijswik - Had a better first half of the season, but he really made a name for himself this year and should have a bright future ahead.
Wilco Keldermann - He had a great year and looks like a future star. I'm really excited to see what he can do in the pro ranks someday.
TGBM - He showed what he could do and just narrowly missed a podium. Rabobank had a heck of a year and I can't to see what they do with their crew.
Losers:
Riccardo Ricco - Finally got back to where he was before and now may never race again.
Andy Schleck - Had a great performance on the one stage at the tour, but blew it on a tour that was pretty much built for him.
Dennis Menchov - Not a bad year, but let's face it, he sucked in the Giro for the most part and ended up being a domestique for Cobo. Not to mention that he missed the Tour.
Filippo Pozzato - He became a joke for commentators at the Vuelta. It was not a good year for him and it was definitely not a good team for him.
Winners:
Contador - Even though he lost at the Tour, his Giro performance was quite the memorable one. He showed everyone who the top dog was and defeated his rivals physically and mentally. He showed that nobody is in his league when he's at his best. He did get humbled a little by not winning both GT's.
Froome - From nobody to possible GC contender within 3 weeks. Good times for him.
Philippe Gilbert - Did just about everything aside from winning the World Championships. Had one of the better years that I can remember in recent times. 2011 was the year of Gilbert.
Cavendish - Finally got the elusive green jersey and got a World Championship.
Evans - Never thought he would pull it off but he did. He had luck in his corner and did what needed to be done at the right time.
Steven Kruijswik - Had a better first half of the season, but he really made a name for himself this year and should have a bright future ahead.
Wilco Keldermann - He had a great year and looks like a future star. I'm really excited to see what he can do in the pro ranks someday.
TGBM - He showed what he could do and just narrowly missed a podium. Rabobank had a heck of a year and I can't to see what they do with their crew.
Losers:
Riccardo Ricco - Finally got back to where he was before and now may never race again.
Andy Schleck - Had a great performance on the one stage at the tour, but blew it on a tour that was pretty much built for him.
Dennis Menchov - Not a bad year, but let's face it, he sucked in the Giro for the most part and ended up being a domestique for Cobo. Not to mention that he missed the Tour.
Filippo Pozzato - He became a joke for commentators at the Vuelta. It was not a good year for him and it was definitely not a good team for him.