Is Simon Gerrans the best ever Australian roadie?

[BigMac]

I may have made to look a bit silly considering today's result but I don't see wheelsucking as a overly great quality to win the overall of a bike race.

Can you drop the fanboyism please? Cadel failed.

 

[Gloin22]

That's preety stupid to say though, if he had Hermans and Bookwalter with him at Willunga he would have at LEAST finished with Gerrans and Ullissi.

It wasn't the case and OGE played it well, so kudos to them.

 

[Ferminal]

It will be fun to see this question put to bed tomorrow on Wilunga.

Not sure why you stooped to the level of suggesting races in January make you awesome!

The question was put to bed for probably a decade at least, in July 2011.

 

[jaylew]

According to L'Équipe Evans' form weight is 68kg and Stybar's is 67kg.

Not buying that at all. Besides, I think Evans is closer to the 64kg I usually see listed.

 

[Ferminal]

sdfasdfdsafasfsafsa

 

[darwin553]

Can you drop the fanboyism please? Cadel failed.

A bit ironic that Cadel lost to a rider who adopted the very same race tactics that he is famous for.

 

[42x16ss]

Froome (future results will elevate him) and Menchov then. The Shlecks are also great climbers/ were competing against Evans in both 2008/2011.

No Basso

I recommend you double check the palmares of the riders I listed - Anderson was riding in a mini "golden era". Hinault, Lemond, Kelly, De Vlaeminck and Fignon would make just about everyone's all time top 20 riders...

 

[42x16ss]

A bit ironic that Cadel lost to a rider who adopted the very same race tactics that he is famous for.

But when Cadel was using those tactics he was still only coming second

 

[movingtarget]

I recommend you double check the palmares of the riders I listed - Anderson was riding in a mini "golden era". Hinault, Lemond, Kelly, De Vlaeminck and Fignon would make just about everyone's all time top 20 riders...

Evans is way out in front and Anderson is way clear of the rest. Gerrans has won one monument, national titles, TDU 3 times and GT stages. To compare him to the other two is just ignorant.

 

[greenedge]

I recommend you double check the palmares of the riders I listed - Anderson was riding in a mini "golden era". Hinault, Lemond, Kelly, De Vlaeminck and Fignon would make just about everyone's all time top 20 riders...

Yeah, you are right, I was sort of playing Devils advocate. However my point is we just can't dismiss the current/ ex GT riders because they are not as multidimensional as not being greats.

 

[willbick]

I would say Gerrans and Evans are very similar ability-wise. Different types of rider of course. Gerrans will never win a GT coz he cant climb and TT well enough but that doesnt make him neccessarily a worse rider than a GT winner, just different.

 

[Echoes]

However my point is we just can't dismiss the current/ ex GT riders because they are not as multidimensional as not being greats.

Yes we can. We even should.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I may have made to look a bit silly considering today's result but I don't see wheelsucking as a overly great quality to win the overall of a bike race.

You do recall that the reason Cadel got labelled unfairly with the wheelsucker tag from 2009-2011 was that he lost several GCs he could have won due to doing it in the period up to 2009? It's not like you didn't support Cuddles back then.

If you want to argue that wheelsucking is not an admirable way to win a bike race, I will agree with you. If you want to argue that Cadel Evans has been unfairly labelled a wheelsucker at any point since he won the rainbow jersey, I will agree with you. If you want to argue that Simon Gerrans will never be a better cyclist than Cadel Evans, I will agree with you.

But if you want to say that you have seen wheelsucking as producing unworthy victors, yet have been so upset about the GCs that Evans lost in his Lotto days, I will scratch my head and admit confusion.

 

[Pippo_San]

But when Cadel was using those tactics he was still only coming second

Huh that was cruel

 

[badboyberty]

Is Gerrans Australia's best ever cyclist? NO.

Was staying in a group while climbing into a strong headwind on Willunga Hill a smart move? YES.

Is Adam Hansen Australia's greatest ever cyclist? YES

 

[movingtarget]

You do recall that the reason Cadel got labelled unfairly with the wheelsucker tag from 2009-2011 was that he lost several GCs he could have won due to doing it in the period up to 2009? It's not like you didn't support Cuddles back then.

If you want to argue that wheelsucking is not an admirable way to win a bike race, I will agree with you. If you want to argue that Cadel Evans has been unfairly labelled a wheelsucker at any point since he won the rainbow jersey, I will agree with you. If you want to argue that Simon Gerrans will never be a better cyclist than Cadel Evans, I will agree with you.

But if you want to say that you have seen wheelsucking as producing unworthy victors, yet have been so upset about the GCs that Evans lost in his Lotto days, I will scratch my head and admit confusion.

The GTs that Evans lost were not because of wheelsucking. He couldn't attack because he was not good enough to attack and stay away. It was telling on some of the Tour stages when he did attack, he was dropped later. Most of the time he understood that. Even when he won the 2011 Tour it was an incredible TT and his consistency on each stage that won the race for him. He did not attack which for him was the smart move. He reacted to attacks by Contador and Schleck but did not attack himself except on the Alpe when he tried to test Schleck before the TT and grab a few more seconds.

Everyone knows Gerrans would not have the TDU without the bonuses but that's racing. Gerrans is an opportunist and a smart rider no different to others and that's his job. I'm not sure if Rui Costa can win a GT but his riding style reminds me of Evans. Good at the TT, good endurance but does not attack much. Evans always rode GTs mindful of his GC position. If he thought an attack would risk a podium position he would not do it. Other riders do it differently. Riders like Vino rode on emotion but Evans is always thinking tactics and maybe sometimes too much. I do love it though when Evans does attack and for me his stage win was the highlight of the TDU.

 

[Ferminal]

trolololol

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

it boggles the mind how such a limited rider can win 2 monuments just because the peloton or some people in the peloton are stupid enough to take him to the sprint

 

[jens_attacks]

lombardia next.

 

[burning]

lombardia next.

He has no chance to win Fleche Lombardia

 

[Ferminal]

Worlds RR will be funny

1. Gerrans
2. Valverde
3. Rodriguez

 

[Afrank]

lombardia next.

Dear god, please no. I don't think I can take it.

 

[Cookster15]

it boggles the mind how such a limited rider can win 2 monuments just because the peloton or some people in the peloton are stupid enough to take him to the sprint

That's bike racing. Gerrans was obviously underestimated. I couldn't count the number of times I never saw my competition until the finish line when it was too late. I learnt from that. He may be a seasoned pro but it seems Valverde still has much to learn - starting with not underestimating Simon Gerrans.

 

[oldcrank]

Great week for Australian cycling with Gerro winning L-B-L
and Cadel winning the Giro del Trentino (I suppose you
could also add Mick being cleared as well).

 

[Jelantik]

to answer the question. For now: yes. He clearly rode smart today and outwitted the other opponent that's on paper supposedly to win this. So does with Milan-San Remo. In my book if you are an underdog or not even mention in the same breath as the other contender, and still can win the race, fair and square like that, I don't think that's just luck. So, my answer yes, is based on his result not bias or personal like or dislike. It's the fact that against all odds, he managed to win it.