Male Cyclist of the year (2014)?

[Netserk]

And the only reason some might even consider Gerrans' classics season as good as Valverde's is because Gerrans won 2 WT classics (or should I just call them one-day-races) in Canada. If Valverde had participated there, he'd have podium'ed atleast, and nobody would even compare the two.

Gerrans' number of monument/GT/WC wins this year: 1

Valverde's number of monument/GT/WC wins this year: 0

And no it wouldn't have mattered at all if Valverde got an additional third (and a second) in those two one-day races. Wins are what matters.

 

[hfer07]

setting aside any biased preferences- We must recognize that Alejandro Valverde has been extremely consistent throughout the entire year-like him or not. His early campaign was superb, and considering his busy schedule, he did somewhat well on the GT's.

 

[Netserk]

setting aside any biased preferences- We must recognize that Alejandro Valverde has been extremely consistent throughout the entire year-like him or not. His early campaign was superb, and considering his busy schedule, he did somewhat well on the GT's.

I agree.

Best: Contador
Most consistent/performed throughout the season: Valverde
Biggest single performance/race: Nibali
Honourable mentions to: Gerrans & Kristoff.

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

Im surprised we are even allowed to discuss the concept that mere mortals could be compared to his holiness the great AC.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Im surprised we are even allowed to discuss the concept that mere mortals could be compared to his holiness the great AC.

Agreed, it should be forbidden

 

[Mellow Velo]

The fact that in every one day race in which they both competed Gerrans finished ahead of Valverde might be why most people will come to the correct conclusion that Gerrans had a better classic season

Except he didn't.

 

[nobilis]

Gerrans' number of monument/GT/WC wins this year: 1

Valverde's number of monument/GT/WC wins this year: 0

And no it wouldn't have mattered at all if Valverde got an additional third (and a second) in those two one-day races. Wins are what matters.

According to what standards?

 

[nobilis]

The fact that in every one day race in which they both competed Gerrans finished ahead of Valverde might be why most people will come to the correct conclusion that Gerrans had a better classic season

Gerrans DNF in CSS while Valverde actually won it.
One should take into account that, despite his performances there, one-day races are rather secondary objectives for Valverde, knowing that his primary season objective was without any doubt winning or at least podium at the tour.

 

[Akuryo]

(...) his primary season objective was without any doubt winning or at least podium at the tour.

And he did not reach that goal. Even with Froome and Contador sidelined...
Like some others said, what counts is winning. And the only races that really matter in Valverdes 2014 palmares are Fleche and San Sebastian. Valverde was constant, but coming in 2nd or 3rd on a constant basis is not that great.

Contador once said: "It does not matter if I'm 2nd or 10th, I've lost the race!"

 

[Echoes]

Yeah! That's why his seasons are so short. If he raced a little more throughout the year he'd lose races, poor kid. What a detestable character. No panache. How glorious is it winning races when you only races for 50 or 60 days a year when the others are exhausting themselves for 80 days.

 

[Netserk]

If Contador hadn't crashed out of the Tour he'd have the same number of race days as Valverde or more...

 

[cineteq]

If Contador hadn't crashed out of the Tour he'd have the same number of race days as Valverde or more...

Would have he ridden La Vuelta if he'd finished the Tour?

 

[Netserk]

Would have he ridden La Vuelta if he'd finished the Tour?

Ofc. He planned from the start of the season to do the Tour-Vuelta double.

 

[Electress]

Yeah! That's why his seasons are so short. If he raced a little more throughout the year he'd lose races, poor kid. What a detestable character. No panache. How glorious is it winning races when you only races for 50 or 60 days a year when the others are exhausting themselves for 80 days.

But maybe if they won more races, they wouldn't need to race so many days to keep the sponsors happy?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Yeah! That's why his seasons are so short. If he raced a little more throughout the year he'd lose races, poor kid. What a detestable character. No panache. How glorious is it winning races when you only races for 50 or 60 days a year when the others are exhausting themselves for 80 days.

... yeah he's a detestable character because he doesn't race 100 days a year and ignores the classics so clueless

 

[LaFlorecita]

Bottom line is top of the UCi, CQ, PCS rankings agree on who came out tops.

And Alberto gets the journalist award for best rider of the year

 

[Netserk]

And Alberto gets the journalist award for best rider of the year

I'm sure Mellow Velo also thought Purito had a better season in 2012 than Boonen and Wiggins...

 

[RownhamHill]

Where is Marcel Kittel on that list, the Manx Missile slayer.

I thought that was Simon Gerrans?

 

[Mellow Velo]

I'm sure Mellow Velo also thought Purito had a better season in 2012 than Boonen and Wiggins...

And I'm sure this is your concession on who had the better "classics" season.

 

[Mellow Velo]

And Alberto gets the journalist award for best rider of the year

Good that the journos are holding the Vuelta such high esteem.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Good that the journos are holding the Vuelta such high esteem.

Yeah, that's the reason he got it

 

[Dr. Juice]

Good that the journos are holding the Vuelta such high esteem.

They don't consider only " Nibali and Contador both 1 GT but Nibali the more important one" but they have to take other races into consideration.
Otherwise you can give the Velo d'Or after the Tour. Rarely a TdF winner has done so badly the rest of the season (only Armstrong a couple of times).
Contador won 1 GT and was 1st or 2nd in every other stage race he entered. Great form in the Tour but unlucky crash. It's more a general perception of who was the best rider over the season and I think we can agree it was Contador.

 

[Miburo]

Good that the journos are holding the Vuelta such high esteem.

Piti standed out in always being up there with the best but barely won races. Contador standed out in every race he rode and was most of the time the best. Then he came back from a broken leg and won the vuelta.

The best rider of the year isn't the one who fell short most of the time despite being always up there. Piti failed many times this year, i don't know why that should be rewarded.

 

[Jspear]

Good that the journos are holding the Vuelta such high esteem.

Thank god they realize that there are other races in the season other than the Tour. Having a great Tour doesn't mean you had a great season. They recognize that AC not only did well in the Vuelta, but in the entire season.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Thank god they realize that there are other races in the season other than the Tour. Having a great Tour doesn't mean you had a great season. They recognize that AC not only did well in the Vuelta, but in the entire season.

Mellow Velo believes Valverde should have won the award.