Most impressive neo-pro so far in 2011?

[Kazistuta]

I think the first two months of the season has shown a lot of future stars in the making already. I've been impressed by several of the new-comers, in various degrees.

But who do YOU think has been the most impressive neo-pro so far this season?

I've only picked riders in the current top100, who wasn't on a PT or ProCont team last year. Feel free to add your own rider, if you think it's non of the options above.

Personally I'd pick Degenkolb, I think. We knew Guardini was fast due to his huge amount of wins on the Italian u23 scene last year. Matthews showed us all in Geelong that he could sprint, and Sergent, Monsalve and Antomarchi has so far almost only shown themselves in one race.

A close second for me is Duarte, who's shown moxy and willingness to race, which I admire. His results doesn't match his effort, but he's gotta break through at some point.

Joh Degenkolb to me as a classic one-day rider with more than decent hill- and climbing abilities. I knew he packed a good finish, but to win two bunch finishes in his first two months as a pro is impressive.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I pick Duarte

 

[MADRAZO]

I think the first two months of the season has shown a lot of future stars in the making already. I've been impressed by several of the new-comers, in various degrees.

But who do YOU think has been the most impressive neo-pro so far this season?

I've only picked riders in the current top100, who wasn't on a PT or ProCont team last year. Feel free to add your own rider, if you think it's non of the options above.

Personally I'd pick Degenkolb, I think. We knew Guardini was fast due to his huge amount of wins on the Italian u23 scene last year. Matthews showed us all in Geelong that he could sprint, and Sergent, Monsalve and Antomarchi has so far almost only shown themselves in one race.

A close second for me is Duarte, who's shown moxy and willingness to race, which I admire. His results doesn't match his effort, but he's gotta break through at some point.

Joh Degenkolb to me as a classic one-day rider with more than decent hill- and climbing abilities. I knew he packed a good finish, but to win two bunch finishes in his first two months as a pro is impressive.

If we ignore the expectations I think the standout so far is Guardini, wins is the most important thing and particularly the win in Oman was in very strong competition. Degenkolb and Matthews are close runnerups Degenkolb and Matthews seems pretty even now as they also were as amateurs. All 3 I guess have had a better prostart than expected, but all 3 were also known in advance as huge talents, so its not that surpricing. The same also goes for the notesworthy Sergent, Monsalve and Talansky (Duarte is not a neo I think as he rode for a profteam earlier, but I dont know the correct definition).

If its the most surpricing (and thus impressive that way) neo, im mostly surpriced by the strong sprinting from Kittel and Pelucchi.

 

[jaylew]

(Duarte is not a neo I think as he rode for a profteam earlier, but I dont know the correct definition)..

True, he's not a neo-pro as he rode for Savio's team a few years ago, but he seems like one.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Pelucchi, sentimental pick. He's been a bit of a surprise more because he missed a lot of last season on compassionate grounds than because he hadn't previously shown the talent.

Guardini's the better rider, though.

 

[Moondance]

Wow... This was really, really, difficult. I found it very hard to choose between Degenkolb, Matthews and Guardini. Matthews did very well in both the Aussie RR and TT, and well as winning 1 stage (and barely missing a second ) as well as placing highly in the GC in WorldTour race vs. very good opposition. Degenkolb beat Farrar has duelled well with Farrar on a few occasions and gave a very good showing in Het Nieuwsblad, and Guardini has been a monster, although he 5 of the victories came against moderate opposition and only one against tough opposition. I guess I'd say 1. Degenkolb, 2. Matthews, and 3. Guardini, but really its more like 1a, 1b, and 1c in my eyes.

Duarte has also been very good, although I find it hard to compare him to those other three since he's a good three years older than Degenkolb and Guardini and 4 years older than Matthews. I mean, he won the U23 Worlds 3 season ago.

 

[Anonymous]

Dowsett, purely to be biased. No logical reason.

 

[Ryaguas]

Well... I'll go with Monsalve... He's been doing very good... a GC in Malasya, Top 15 in Lagueila and Top 20 in La Classica Sarda...

Duarte has been doing GREAT but I dont see him has a NeoPro...

 

[Anonymous]

I think it should only be first year pro's we consider as neo pro.

And whats all this about "this years thomas de gendt" ? Thomas de gendt is surely this years thomas de gendt.

 

[ergmonkey]

I'd go for Matthews so far because I've seen more 'flashes' of real brilliance from him than from anyone else--though, admittedly, I haven't seen video of every race so far this year.

It seems like when he's on, he's got outstanding physical prowess and the confidence and composure to complement the raw talent. He also seems to already be fairly versatile--solid tt, solid on rolling terrain, certainly looking like a future classics man.

I also think Degenkolb has looked extremely good, but Matthews just seems like more of a natural winner to me. Time will tell.

 

[will10]

I think it should only be first year pro's we consider as neo pro.

And whats all this about "this years thomas de gendt" ? Thomas de gendt is surely this years thomas de gendt.

Took the worlds right out of my mouth

 

[Ferminal]

Monslave
Matthews
Guardini

 

[Jukebox]

Im liking Matthews purely based on the fact that he wants to win Flanders, and that's a race I like a lot.

 

[The Amateur]

This was a difficult one. There have been plenty of impressive showings by NEOs this year.

I ended up picking Degenkolb based on the opposition he has beaten as well as the types of races he has won or done well in - the uphill sprint in Algarve (beating Farrar), the sprint in West Flanders and Het Volk. I am really looking forward to see how he develops. I think he will become a monster on the cobbles.

- The Amateur

 

[Kazistuta]

I think it should only be first year pro's we consider as neo pro.

And whats all this about "this years thomas de gendt" ? Thomas de gendt is surely this years thomas de gendt.

My point being that in 2010 De Gendt showed all year long that he wanted to attack and had the strength to do it. It seems to me that's the way Duarte wants to do things THIS year, he has been a race protagonist in some way in almost all races so far.

And yeah, Duarte actually can't be considered a neo-pro due to his stay at Serramenti in 2007 - didn't remember that (guess he wasn't exactly a prominent rider back then).

 

[unsheath]

Both of Matthews wins this year have been by wide margins and so too was his u23 worlds. When he gets it right, he looks very impressive. He will be a monster.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

BTW: this years Thomas De Gendt is Thomas De Gendt

edit: like teamskyfans already stated

 

[Njbb1995]

Sergent, He is from Nz so I had to

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

True, he's not a neo-pro as he rode for Savio's team a few years ago, but he seems like one.

although he never entered any european race for the team that year and went back to colombia frustrated and homesick within a few months. savio is not often liked in colombia...

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Degenkolb.
Excellent season so far. Been amongst the sprints + excellent debut in cobbles (this counts a lot for me).

Matthews has been impressive also.
De Gendt; brilliant so far in PN.
And Duarte has been impressive also.

 

[ergmonkey]

savio is not often liked in colombia...

Sorry to go off-topic, but could you (or anyone else) explain this for me quickly? I'm not disputing it; just curious.

From the outside, Savio seems like the one director consistently bringing Colombians and other South/Central Americans over to the big races in Europe. But, does he not treat the riders well? Pay them badly? Did Rujano's abrupt departure have anything to do with a falling out with Savio? Thanks in advance for any explanations.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

savio is often accused in colombia of extremely underpaying colombian riders and making the most of it, and abusing them because they want to come to europe, it's also the reason why the colombian cycling federation stepped away as sponsor years ago when the team was called colombia - selle italia. not only that he has also made many false promises to colombian riders about letting them ride in europe but he would never let them. alexis castro is good example of this who was a big talent and never got a chance as well as duarte. anthony brea the venezuela sprinter even retired(!) after having raced for savio that's how bitter he has become. he was also a really big sprinting talent

I would like to know more also because he is very honorable person but he must have different sides for sure. duarte absolute hates him and was nearly traumatised for his brief stay with the team swearing on his return he would never go back to europe again unless in a colombian team.

 

[Angliru]

savio is often accused in colombia of extremely underpaying colombian riders and making the most of it, and abusing them because they want to come to europe, it's also the reason why the colombian cycling federation stepped away as sponsor years ago when the team was called colombia - selle italia. not only that he has also made many false promises to colombian riders about letting them ride in europe but he would never let them. alexis castro is good example of this who was a big talent and never got a chance as well as duarte. anthony brea the venezuela sprinter even retired(!) after having raced for savio that's how bitter he has become. he was also a really big sprinting talent

I would like to know more also because he is very honorable person but he must have different sides for sure. duarte absolute hates him and was nearly traumatised for his brief stay with the team swearing on his return he would never go back to europe again unless in a colombian team.

Savio gets results though. Versus the Pro Tour super teams he still consistently has his riders making their presence felt at the Giro every year and on the Italian race calendar. Plus Rujano is back riding for him after never reaching the same heights with Quick Step, Unibet, Caisse d'Epargne etc...
It's possible some of the riders with complaints just weren't able to adapt to the change of scenary nor the upgrade in overall competition and level of racing.

 

[Jakob747]

I will look past these oblivious choices and think a little out of the box.

Therefore my honorable mention goes out to Elia Favilli.

3 years ago, Luca Scinto compared Elia Favilli with Giovanni Visconti and predicted he was in for a very bright future. As a junior E. Favilli was a resilient competitor who frequently went toe to toe with the likes of Diego Ulissi, Daniele Ratto and Alfredo Balloni for example. His potential is/was immense!

He is a very complete rider. An excellent puncheur who excels in undulating terrain. He is actually rather fast towards the finish-line as well and can in certain situations function as a more than handy lead-out man for his designated team-leader as proven in Tour de Langkawi where he delivered Andrea Guardini in perfect position up to several times.

Strong start to the year and a rider, I am certain will establish himself in the hierarchy among the professionals.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Savio gets results though. Versus the Pro Tour super teams he still consistently has his riders making their presence felt at the Giro every year and on the Italian race calendar. Plus Rujano is back riding for him after never reaching the same heights with Quick Step, Unibet, Caisse d'Epargne etc...
It's possible some of the riders with complaints just weren't able to adapt to the change of scenary nor the upgrade in overall competition and level of racing.

like I said they weren't racing in europe so how were they not able to adapt?

rujano is back and savio really swallowed his pride for this because he truly knows like no one he's the only rider he ever had that can win the giro. More so than simoni and scarponi in his team