Monuments

[Duke_S]

Who can win 3 or more (Different) Monuments in their lifetime?

The days of Merckx/De Vlaeminck/Kelly are long gone. Doubt anyone has the ability to win 5 monuments these days, but can anyone else in the current pro peloton hope to win at least 3 in their lifetime? This way someone who's not a leading climber can still win MSR/RVV/PR like Cancellara demonstrated, and someone who's more explosive on climbs but not cobbles still have a shot at MSR/LBL/Lombardia.

- Upcoming retirements of current champions can open the doors for 2nd tier competitors, eg. Boonen/Canc at PR?
- Course changes can make some riders who previously would have had no chance come into contention, eg. MSR.

 

[del1962]

The days of Merckx/De Vlaeminck/Kelly are long gone. Doubt anyone has the ability to win 5 monuments these days, but can anyone else in the current pro peloton hope to win at least 3 in their lifetime? This way someone who's not a leading climber can still win MSR/RVV/PR like Cancellara demonstrated, and someone who's more explosive on climbs but not cobbles still have a shot at MSR/LBL/Lombardia.

- Upcoming retirements of current champions can open the doors for 2nd tier competitors, eg. Boonen/Canc at PR?
- Course changes can make some riders who previously would have had no chance come into contention, eg. MSR.

I think Sagan could possibly win them all over his career

 

[BigMac]

Not trying to look obvious nor like the fanboy I'm not, but your list is missing Costa. And at least a couple of the names you mentioned don't belong in there.

Also, I like Kwiatkowski but there's so much hype around him at the moment. The only obvious choice from that list is Sagan.

 

[Afrank]

Sagan and Kwiatkowski. Both amazing talents, both still on the rise, both have a wide variety of strengths across many types of parcours. I could see either or both capable of winning all the monuments in their careers.

Stybar could win MSR, RVV, and PR.

 

[King Boonen]

You may want to check Gilbert's palmares...

 

[Wallenquist]

Sagan, Kwiatkowski nad Stybar are capable of winning all five but for now they have to fight for getting the first one. Long way ahead.

Valverde can win MSR with Pompeiana and GDL.
Boonen can win MSR.
Gilbert can win MSR and RVV
Vanmarcke can win MSR, RVV and PR
Demare same as above
Degenkolb same as above
Betancur can win MSR with Pompeiana, LBL and GDL

Hagen also could win MSR, RVV, PR.

 

[jaylew]

Are you asking who we think could win 3 or who (if any) we predict will win three?

Hagen also could win MSR, RVV, PR.

Cue Ryo in 3...2...

 

[Duke_S]

You may want to check Gilbert's palmares...

Who can win 3 or more (Different) Monuments in their lifetime? Better? I thought it was pretty obvious considering Boonen is also there...

Are you asking who we think could win 3 or who (if any) we predict will win three?

Will likely, thats why excluded guys like GVA, EBH etc

 

[Jspear]

Sagan could definitely win more than 3 in his career. Kwiatkowski probably could as well depending on the type of rider he develops into.

 

[karlboss]

So most likely you need 2 either LBL and GL, or PR and RVV, and then win MSR. RVV for a few might be a fourth possibility.

Sagan is obvious, as are Boonen and Cancellara. Then Rodriguez and Valverde going the other way. Gilbert if he can find form. Youngsters Kwiatkowski and Betancur.
For mine after these guys you are really stretching. Degenkolb and Demare(if you include them Kristoff looks as good/better) need negative races, and even then would struggle with Sagan/Boonen in a sprint so much so I'd regard it as getting incredibly lucky 3 times. I can't see Stybar/Van Marcke winning MSR they can't get over in a selective group, and can't win the sprint if it isn't selective.
Talking about who could win 4 or 5...everyone is a massive stretch. Sagan and Cancellara would need to improve their climbing too much and sacrifice what they already have. I'd see Kwiatkowski or Gilbert as most likely to get to 4.

 

[jaylew]

Will likely, thats why excluded guys like GVA, EBH etc

If that's the case then none of them are likely to with the possible exception of Sagan, but we haven't really seen him perform on the cobbles yet. Actually, Boonen might have the best shot - a one-time shot this year before they change MSR. Gilbert and Valverde have outside shots but I don't think it'll happen.

I think the poll should have been riders who've actually shown something at a monument. Preferably a podium but at least a top 10. How can you predict someone will win 3 when they have yet to show they even have an aptitude for these races?

Kwia's best performance is a 40th place and Demare's is a 24th so I wouldn't even consider either of them at this point.

Purito has won 2 GdL, has 2 LBL 2nds and could possibly win MSR with the future inclusion of the Pompeiana.
Nibali has already has a 3rd, 2nd, and 5th in 3 different monuments.

How are Kwia and Demare here above either of those guys?

And no way we can leave GvA out of the poll. In the entire peloton, I'm sure no one's "worst-best" result is better:

Gdl - 12th
RVV - 4th
PR - 4th
LBL - 7th
MSR - 9th

 

[jaylew]

Sagan is obvious, as are Boonen and Cancellara. Then Rodriguez and Valverde going the other way.

Canc already has his 3.

 

[karlboss]

Canc already has his 3.

Yes of course, forgot MSR...it was so long ago.

 

[alspacka]

It's a tall order... Wouldn't be surprised to see Gilbert or Boonen win MSR before retirement. With riders like them, Cancellara, Rodriguez and Valverde all towards the end of their careers, there is a possibilty that Sagan will win all 5.
Not sure anyone else is strong enough on both hills and cobbles. Possibly Stybar or Degenkolb. I reckon Betancur will win MSR, LBL and GDL though.

Maybe I missed something, but when did Kwiatowski show his pavé prowess?

 

[happytramp]

Dan Martin should be on the list. He's already got a L-B-L and a 2nd place finish in Lombardia, so two is quite likely. He may struggle with the others though.

 

[the asian]

Gilbert has the best chance obviously. He has a very good chance of winning MSR to complete his 3 different monuments.

Boonen- If Pompeiana is included from next year, this year will be his last chance.


Sagan will have very strong chances of winning MSR and Ronde. He might win LBL later in his career. Highly unlikely he will win GDL on this course.

For others, the key will be the Course of MSR.

If there is no Pompeiana for the coming years, the cobbled classics riders like Degenkolb, Vanmarcke, Demare,Stybar will have high chances.

If they include Pompeiana in the coming years, then obviously the explosive climbers like Betancur will have higher chances of winning all 3.


Regarding Kwiat- He'll have a good chance of winning LBL and MSR (with Pompeiana). Not sure whether he can win GDL on the current course.

 

[Guybrush]

yes he could: Sagan, Kwia, Betancur
maybe: Boonen, Vanmarcke
no: Gilbert, Stybar, Demare, Degenkolb
15 monuments podiums: Valverde

 

[VeloHuman]

Not trying to look obvious nor like the fanboy I'm not, but your list is missing Costa. And at least a couple of the names you mentioned don't belong in there.

Also, I like Kwiatkowski but there's so much hype around him at the moment. The only obvious choice from that list is Sagan.

Gotta agree. Can't just ignore Liege and Lombardy. Costa has to be here. Dan Martin could definitely pick up 2+ wins of these races as well, he's only 27.

 

[jaylew]

Duke_S, you should have phrased the poll question the way you said meant it in your later post - who will likely win 3 monuments, rather than "who can win 3" as it's made the results ridiculous and a total joke if thought of the former way.

Of course, only 4 of these riders would even deserve to be in a poll phrased the way you intended, imo.

Still, the fact that the guy in 2nd is a guy with 40th as his best placing who may never even target any of these races doesn't say much for our cycling knowledge. Kwia ahead of Boonen, Gilbert, and Valverde

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

And no way we can leave GvA out of the poll. In the entire peloton, I'm sure no one's "worst-best" result is better:

Gdl - 12th
RVV - 4th
PR - 4th
LBL - 7th
MSR - 9th

Wow, that is impressive indeed.

Gilbert in form has it to win all five tbh...

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Gilbert in form has it to win all five tbh...

You think he can win RVV and PR? I don't know about that...

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

RVV: obviously. Was close already.

PR: this is the hardest one, but looking at the way he won the Omloop het Volk about 6 years ago, I think he can, yes. If he aims for it.

 

[fraserhughes]

Are you asking who we think could win 3 or who (if any) we predict will win three?

I read it as who could win, ie. who has the talent/skillset rather than who we predict will.

On that basis I voted Sagan, Kwia and Valverde.

Actually, the first two I think probably will win 3 over their respective careers. Valverde I suspect won't win any

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Don't see Gilbert winning RVV or PR anymore. Better riders are emerging imo. Missed the window.

I can see Sagan winning 3 different monuments, but I think Kwia could beat him with 4.

Exciting times with excellent riders and champions from one generation getting solid competition from a new one.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

I don' see Sagan winning anything else than RVV and MSR.

All of the climbers who have a decent sprint on the flat have a shot at winning LBL, GdL and MSR. So that's Valverde, Betancur, especially if they make the parcours harder, but they'll just have to be really lucky with the right break, because I don't see them either dropping or outsprinting Sagan. So a no for them as well.

Kwiatkowski has a great sprint on the flat, climbs well enough for LBL and GdL, and goes well on the cobbles. In fact, he's the only current rider I'd give a chance to win all 5, though that will be very difficult. So I voted for him.

Stybar is a bit of a mystery for me, but he can certainly with PR and RVV. He's also shown instances where he climbs pretty well and he beat a mass sprint two times last year with a late attack. Who knows what's possible with this guy. I don't know, but I voted for him anyway eventhough I think he'll struggle to win even one monument, at least he's versatile enough.