Palmares confrontation II :The greatest sprinters (1990-)

[Mozart92]

The numeration doesn't mean anything, it's not my personal preference.

1 Mario Cipollini (1989-2005, 2008)

3 stages at the Vuelta, 12 stages at the Tour, 6 days in yellow, one world championship (2002), one Milan-Sanremo, two Gent-Wevelgem and the astonishing record of 42 stage wins at the giro plus three points classifications. Overall 191 victories that gained him the nickname of "Lion King".

2 Mark Cavendish (2005-)

26 stages at the Tour, 15 at the Giro, 3 at the Vuelta and a points classification in each of the Grand Tours. Add to his palmares a world championships, a Milan-Sanremo and you get the picture. The "Manx-Missile" is one of the most succesfull riders of today and although he might not be as victorious as he used to be, his incredible palmares of 133 wins could still increase.

3 Erik Zabel (1993-2008)

Six consecutive points classification at the Tour plus twelve stages, 8 stages at the Vuelta and three points classifications. Four time winner of the Milan-Sanremo, plus Three Paris-Tours, one Amstel Gold Race and one Hamburg Classic. his consistency set records that have not been beaten yet. He was also two times second on the world championship, the last time at the age of 36.

4 Oscar Freire (1998-2012)

He might not have a huge amount of GT stage wins (4 at the Tour plus one points classification and 8 at the Vuelta) but he won the Milan-Sanremo and the World Championships on three different occasions.

5 Alessandro Petacchi (1996-2015)

183 wins, 6 at the Tour, 20 at the Vuelta and 22 at the Giro. Numbers that speak for themselves, add to this that he was the first sprinter to win the points classification on all the three Grand Tours. Petacchi also won the 2005 Milan-Sanremo and a Paris-Tours. His career is one of the longest in modern cycling, his last victory came at the age of 40.

Honorable mentions:

Robbie McEwen (12 stages at the Tour, 12 at the Giro)
Thor Hushvod (10 stages at the tour and two points classifications, 1 stage win at the Giro, 3 at the Vuelta plus one World Championships)
Andre Greipel (10 stage wins at the Tour, 3 at the Giro, 4 at the Vuelta)

Sagan, Kristoff, Kittel, Degenkolb are still too young to be considered.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Well Freire and Zabel aren't really the same types of sprinters as Cav, Cipo and Petacchi, so when deciding between the 5, it will be partially based on personal preference eg is 5 stage wins at the TdF more impressive than the green jersey that year.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

The 1990- timeframe means we do have to think about Abdou as well, even if it's just as an honourable mention.

 

[BigMac]

Re: Palmares confrontation II :The greatest sprinters (1990-

André Greipel, best sprinter and best person.

 

[jsem94]

Voting Cipo, but Cav is really close and could surpass him still, but he doesn't seem to be as dominant now as he was a few years back so I reckon it will be quite difficult.

 

[Tonton]

Re:

The 1990- timeframe means we do have to think about Abdou as well, even if it's just as an honourable mention.

Yep. It should be a Cippo, Pettachi, Abdou, Cav poll. Zabel, Jaja, BigThorHushovd are not pure sprinters in the sense that they were a bit slower but displayed a lot more skills than just being a rocket launched off a train. Freire is different and my favorite, because what he lacked in train and top-speed, he made up with the best sense of placement and savvy that I've ever seen. A magician. All things being equal, Cav would win, but on any given day, Freire can prevail. Not a good thread tho'. It's going to end up in a pi**ing contest, I'm afraid. Who knows, and who cares? They're all in their own right the bests of their generation.

 

[jsem94]

I agree Hushovd shouldn't be on this list. He is a poor man's Boonen, but never realized his full potential on cobbles.

Freire shouldn't be on here really either. He's twice the rider of either of them, but in terms of sprinting alone it's not even close.

 

[jens_attacks]

Cipollini for me.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Cipollini for me as well.

 

[MatParker117]

Cav, best sprinter in the last ten years in my opinion.

 

[del1962]

You need to be able to get to Paris or you might as well give it to a track sprinter like Hoy

 

[Alexandre B.]

Robbie McEwen is my personal favorite. It was such a joy to see him navigating through the lead-out trains.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Cipollini just from Cav, both incredible and i could give it to either to be fair.

 

[Billie]

1. Cipollini
2. Petacchi
3. Zabel

 

[DFA123]

Zabel and Freire are head and shoulders above the rest in terms of a 'palmares confrontation'.

Cipollini was the most entertaining and impressive - probably the best out and out sprinter - although I think Kittel is probably the fastest road sprinter of all time in terms of top end speed and power.

 

[jens_attacks]

Re:

Zabel and Freire are head and shoulders above the rest in terms of a 'palmares confrontation'.

Cipollini was the most entertaining and impressive - probably the best out and out sprinter - although I think Kittel is probably the fastest road sprinter of all time in terms of top end speed and power.

I have no proof but i think in the 90s, the sprinters were faster than nowadays. Cipo at his best would beat kittel. Just a guess.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Petacchi. Slightly ahead of Cipo.

 

[SafeBet]

Cipo but Cav is closing in.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Zabel and Freire are head and shoulders above the rest in terms of a 'palmares confrontation'.

Cipollini was the most entertaining and impressive - probably the best out and out sprinter - although I think Kittel is probably the fastest road sprinter of all time in terms of top end speed and power.

I have no proof but i think in the 90s, the sprinters were faster than nowadays. Cipo at his best would beat kittel. Just a guess.

That would be a great battle to see. 150km dead flat stage - straight road with no obstacles in the last 5km. Both riders with a first choice lead out train and on top form.

I think Kittel would just shade it. But then he's racing on stiffer, more aero equipment with gears that can fairly reliably shift under heavy load - perhaps Cipo would have been faster if he had the same.

 

[Volderke]

Jalabert. Hands down!

 

[SafeBet]

Ivan Quaranta would win such a stage

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Jalabert. Hands down!

If Jalabert is a sprinter, then Boonen certainly is. And then this discussion is over.

 

[Txrt]

I voted Cipollini.

 

[Red Rick]

Hard to distinguish between pure sprinters, and all riders who have won bunch sprints. Also hard to hard to distinguish between races that were actually won in a sprint or not, but that depends on what you want to rank.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Hard to distinguish between pure sprinters, and all riders who have won bunch sprints. Also hard to hard to distinguish between races that were actually won in a sprint or not, but that depends on what you want to rank.

This is very true. However, in, as the OP suggests, a palmares confrontation between the riders mentioned, then surely Freire wins by a significant margin.

Three WCs and three MSR wouldn't be matched by 100 TdF stage wins. Quality over quantity every time.