Peter Sagan vs. Mark Cavendish. Who has the best palmares.

[El Pistolero]

Yes, I love making threads like this, even though they serve no real purpose other than my entertainment. :lol:

Peter Sagan:

- World Road Race Championships: 2015, 2016
- Ronde van Vlaanderen: 2016
- European Road Race Championships: 2016
- Gent-Wevelgem: 2013, 2016
- E3 Harelbeke: 2014
- GP de Montreal: 2013
- GP de Quebec: 2016
- 7 stages in the Tour de France + 5 Green Jerseys
- 4 Vuelta stages
- UCI World Tour: 2016 (only the second non-GT rider to win this competition.)

Mark Cavendish:

- World Road Race Championships: 2011
- Milan-San Remo: 2009
- 30 Tour stages + 1 Green Jersey
- 15 Giro stages + 1 Points Jersey
- 3 Vuelta stages + 1 Points Jersey

---

I'm biased as hell, so I'm going with Sagan because he won his races in a much more impressive and varied manner.

 

[Jancouver]

You are comparing apples and oranges ...

Cav = better flat finish sprinter
Sagan = better in everything else (other than track)

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

You are comparing apples and oranges ...

Cav = better sprinter
Sagan = better in everything else (other than track)

Yet Sagan outsprinted him during the most important race for a sprinter. Sagan would be better on track too if he bothered to do it.

 

[Jancouver]

Re: Re:

You are comparing apples and oranges ...

Cav = better sprinter
Sagan = better in everything else (other than track)

Yet Sagan outsprinted him during the most important race for a sprinter.

I just edited my post

Cav is better sprinter on flat (and wide) courses
Cav is also more dependable on his leadout

 

[El Pistolero]

Re: Re:

You are comparing apples and oranges ...

Cav = better sprinter
Sagan = better in everything else (other than track)

Yet Sagan outsprinted him during the most important race for a sprinter.

I just edited my post

Cav is better sprinter on flat (and wide) courses

You can't get much flatter than this year's WC course though. Positioning is part of the game for sprinters.

 

[Jancouver]

Re: Re:

You are comparing apples and oranges ...

Cav = better sprinter
Sagan = better in everything else (other than track)

Yet Sagan outsprinted him during the most important race for a sprinter.

I just edited my post

Cav is better sprinter on flat (and wide) courses

You can't get much flatter than this year's WC course though. Positioning is part of the game for sprinters.

Correct, cuz Cav is also more dependable on his leadout train

 

[kingjr]

There is no question as to who is the better cyclist. However, they are two different types of rider, so you can only really measure them against other riders of their category. Cavendish is without a doubt the best sprinter of his Generation and between 2008-2010/11 he basically was unchallenged. The same can not be said about Sagan, but the competition he has faced so far has been much stiffer than what Cavendish had to deal with during those 3/4 years. If Sagan manages to keep his level in the years to come then he will end up with a better Palmares.

 

[MatParker117]

Cav is the best pure sprinter of all time and Sagan is similar to Sean Kelly, completely different riders.

 

[Red Rick]

Comparison might be interesting if they both retired yesterday and had similar characteristics. Both aren't the case.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

You are comparing apples and oranges ...

Cav = better sprinter
Sagan = better in everything else (other than track)

Yet Sagan outsprinted him during the most important race for a sprinter. Sagan would be better on track too if he bothered to do it.

Cavendish outsprinted Sagan on the pure sprinters stages in TdF tho, 4-0. Not one time did Peter outsprint Cav as he won his stages in far more impressive fashion against Ala and Bala on a hilltop, the echelon stage and the classics-type stage to Bern.

That said, Sagan all the way. ALL THE WAY. Winning classics in all shapes and form and being that consistent throughout the whole season contesting every race he enters requires a much more likeable and impressive skill set than just winning bunch sprints over and over again. Although it must be noted that Cav's echelon-riding is very impressive for a one-trick.

 

[Anderis]

Re: Peter Sagan vs. Mark Cavendish. Who has the best palmare

At the moment I would take Cavendish palmares. I wouldn't trade 23 TdF, 15 Giro stages and Giro and Vuelta points jerseys for 1 WC, 1 Vuelta stage, 4 green jerseys and a couple of wins in minor WT races.

But there is of course a very good chance that Sagan will easily outshine Cavendish achievements if he doesn't lose form and motivation by his mid thirties.

 

[happytramp]

Re: Peter Sagan vs. Mark Cavendish. Who has the best palmare

Who has the better Palmares.... Mohammad Ali or Pele?

 

[El Pistolero]

I don't think it matters that they're completely different riders. I'm basically asking which palmares you'd rather have. I'd rather be a double World Champ, Ronde van Vlaanderen winner (MSR sucks) and 5-time Green Jersey winner (close to an all-time record).

 

[El Pistolero]

Re: Re:

You are comparing apples and oranges ...

Cav = better sprinter
Sagan = better in everything else (other than track)

Yet Sagan outsprinted him during the most important race for a sprinter. Sagan would be better on track too if he bothered to do it.

Cavendish outsprinted Sagan on the pure sprinters stages in TdF tho, 4-0. Not one time did Peter outsprint Cav as he won his stages in far more impressive fashion against Ala and Bala on a hilltop, the echelon stage and the classics-type stage to Bern.

That said, Sagan all the way. ALL THE WAY. Winning classics in all shapes and form and being that consistent throughout the whole season contesting every race he enters requires a much more likeable and impressive skill set than just winning bunch sprints over and over again. Although it must be noted that Cav's echelon-riding is very impressive for a one-trick.

I'd rather be World Champ than winning 4 Tour stages in one year. And yes, I'm serious about that.

 

[Mr.White]

For now Cav is ahead, he has WC gold + silver, MSR, 30 Tour stages (2nd all-time, 4 shy of freaking Eddy Merckx!), 15 Giro stages, 3 Vuelta stages. He's 3rd all-time in GT stages. He also has nearly 150 victories on the road, 60 of them WT level. He has points jersey's in all 3 GT's. Not really much sprinter could do...
Sagan on the other hand is way more exciting rider, and versatile. His wins are much more memorable, and I think it's just a matter of time when he's going to surpass Cav. Cav is among the very best sprinters of all-time, maybe even the best, but Sagan is on the way to enter the pantheon of cycling Gods.
So for me still Cav, but just a matter of time...

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

Comparison might be interesting if they both retired yesterday and had similar characteristics. Both aren't the case.

I'm afraid it would be too obvious as to who has the best palmares then (Sagan).

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

For now Cav is ahead, he has WC gold + silver, MSR, 30 Tour stages (2nd all-time, 4 shy of freaking Eddy Merckx!), 15 Giro stages, 3 Vuelta stages. He's 3rd all-time in GT stages. He also has nearly 150 victories on the road, 60 of them WT level. He has points jersey's in all 3 GT's. Not really much sprinter could do...
Sagan on the other hand is way more exciting rider, and versatile. His wins are much more memorable, and I think it's just a matter of time when he's going to surpass Cav. Cav is among the very best sprinters of all-time, maybe even the best, but Sagan is on the way to enter the pantheon of cycling Gods.
So for me still Cav, but just a matter of time...

Boonen is a sprinter and he won the Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix, Gent-Wevelgem and the WC RR (on a hilly route where all the other sprinters were dropped). As for the silver medal, it's kind of meaningless, no? The same goes with the points jerseys of the Giro and Vuelta. Are they really worth anything these days? Remind me again who won the points jersey in the Vuelta, I already forgot.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

You are comparing apples and oranges ...

Cav = better sprinter
Sagan = better in everything else (other than track)

Yet Sagan outsprinted him during the most important race for a sprinter. Sagan would be better on track too if he bothered to do it.

Cavendish outsprinted Sagan on the pure sprinters stages in TdF tho, 4-0. Not one time did Peter outsprint Cav as he won his stages in far more impressive fashion against Ala and Bala on a hilltop, the echelon stage and the classics-type stage to Bern.

That said, Sagan all the way. ALL THE WAY. Winning classics in all shapes and form and being that consistent throughout the whole season contesting every race he enters requires a much more likeable and impressive skill set than just winning bunch sprints over and over again. Although it must be noted that Cav's echelon-riding is very impressive for a one-trick.

I'd rather be World Champ than winning 4 Tour stages in one year. And yes, I'm serious about that.

i think I would that too, but my point is Cav generally is the faster guy on a flat stage which he showed during this year's Tour.

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

For now Cav is ahead, he has WC gold + silver, MSR, 30 Tour stages (2nd all-time, 4 shy of freaking Eddy Merckx!), 15 Giro stages, 3 Vuelta stages. He's 3rd all-time in GT stages. He also has nearly 150 victories on the road, 60 of them WT level. He has points jersey's in all 3 GT's. Not really much sprinter could do...
Sagan on the other hand is way more exciting rider, and versatile. His wins are much more memorable, and I think it's just a matter of time when he's going to surpass Cav. Cav is among the very best sprinters of all-time, maybe even the best, but Sagan is on the way to enter the pantheon of cycling Gods.
So for me still Cav, but just a matter of time...

Boonen is a sprinter and he won the Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix, Gent-Wevelgem and the WC RR (on a hilly route where all the other sprinters were dropped). As for the silver medal, it's kind of meaningless, no? The same goes with the points jerseys of the Giro and Vuelta. Are they really worth anything these days? Remind me again who won the points jersey in the Vuelta, I already forgot.

Boonen is not just a sprinter, he's one of the classics greats, you know that pretty well. He's not comparable to Cavendish, he's more complete and a better rider. You can compare Cav to Cippo, Petacchi, Abdou, Van Poppel, etc.
As for the silver medal, well it's not kind of meaningless. Everybody targets WC, it's kind of big to came 2nd. It's comparable for example with Quebec or E3 wins.
And if you mention green jersey (of which I don't have same opinion as you), you need to mention other two. I agree that they are lower rank but still... And to add that it is not easy at all to complete all three, and especially is not easy for a sprinter like Cavendish to won them knowing how mountainous are Giro and Vuelta

 

[Netserk]

Not even close after this season. Not to mention the age gap (5 years).

 

[claude cat]

Surely the answer is obvious?

 

[El Pistolero]

Re: Re:

For now Cav is ahead, he has WC gold + silver, MSR, 30 Tour stages (2nd all-time, 4 shy of freaking Eddy Merckx!), 15 Giro stages, 3 Vuelta stages. He's 3rd all-time in GT stages. He also has nearly 150 victories on the road, 60 of them WT level. He has points jersey's in all 3 GT's. Not really much sprinter could do...
Sagan on the other hand is way more exciting rider, and versatile. His wins are much more memorable, and I think it's just a matter of time when he's going to surpass Cav. Cav is among the very best sprinters of all-time, maybe even the best, but Sagan is on the way to enter the pantheon of cycling Gods.
So for me still Cav, but just a matter of time...

Boonen is a sprinter and he won the Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix, Gent-Wevelgem and the WC RR (on a hilly route where all the other sprinters were dropped). As for the silver medal, it's kind of meaningless, no? The same goes with the points jerseys of the Giro and Vuelta. Are they really worth anything these days? Remind me again who won the points jersey in the Vuelta, I already forgot.

Boonen is not just a sprinter, he's one of the classics greats, you know that pretty well. He's not comparable to Cavendish, he's more complete and a better rider. You can compare Cav to Cippo, Petacchi, Abdou, Van Poppel, etc.
As for the silver medal, well it's not kind of meaningless. Everybody targets WC, it's kind of big to came 2nd. It's comparable for example with Quebec or E3 wins.
And if you mention green jersey (of which I don't have same opinion as you), you need to mention other two. I agree that they are lower rank but still... And to add that it is not easy at all to complete all three, and especially is not easy for a sprinter like Cavendish to won them knowing how mountainous are Giro and Vuelta

His points jersey in the Giro 2013 was alright considering it was a rather hard Giro (still a decent amount of flat stages though) and the weather conditions were atrocious, but I don't think the 2010 Vuelta was all that mountainous. And I did mention them in my OP, I just don't think it's that prestigious anymore, the winners are becoming less and less impressive. Nizzolo won it twice without ever winning a Giro stage and I looked up who won it at the Vuelta this year: Felline, also without winning a single stage. The main reason for that is that many top sprinters and punchers abandon the Giro and Vuelta before the end. Nobody abandons the Tour on his free will, unless maybe during an Olympic year (and Cav could no longer win the green jersey anymore anyway).

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

For now Cav is ahead, he has WC gold + silver, MSR, 30 Tour stages (2nd all-time, 4 shy of freaking Eddy Merckx!), 15 Giro stages, 3 Vuelta stages. He's 3rd all-time in GT stages. He also has nearly 150 victories on the road, 60 of them WT level. He has points jersey's in all 3 GT's. Not really much sprinter could do...
Sagan on the other hand is way more exciting rider, and versatile. His wins are much more memorable, and I think it's just a matter of time when he's going to surpass Cav. Cav is among the very best sprinters of all-time, maybe even the best, but Sagan is on the way to enter the pantheon of cycling Gods.
So for me still Cav, but just a matter of time...

Boonen is a sprinter and he won the Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix, Gent-Wevelgem and the WC RR (on a hilly route where all the other sprinters were dropped). As for the silver medal, it's kind of meaningless, no? The same goes with the points jerseys of the Giro and Vuelta. Are they really worth anything these days? Remind me again who won the points jersey in the Vuelta, I already forgot.

Boonen is not just a sprinter, he's one of the classics greats, you know that pretty well. He's not comparable to Cavendish, he's more complete and a better rider. You can compare Cav to Cippo, Petacchi, Abdou, Van Poppel, etc.
As for the silver medal, well it's not kind of meaningless. Everybody targets WC, it's kind of big to came 2nd. It's comparable for example with Quebec or E3 wins.
And if you mention green jersey (of which I don't have same opinion as you), you need to mention other two. I agree that they are lower rank but still... And to add that it is not easy at all to complete all three, and especially is not easy for a sprinter like Cavendish to won them knowing how mountainous are Giro and Vuelta

His points jersey in the Giro 2013 was alright considering it was a rather hard Giro (still a decent amount of flat stages though) and the weather conditions were atrocious, but I don't think the 2010 Vuelta was all that mountainous. And I did mention them in my OP, I just don't think it's that prestigious anymore, the winners are becoming less and less impressive. Nizzolo won it twice without ever winning a Giro stage and I looked up who won it at the Vuelta this year: Felline, also without winning a single stage. The main reason for that is that many top sprinters and punchers abandon the Giro and Vuelta before the end. Nobody abandons the Tour on his free will, unless maybe during an Olympic year (and Cav could no longer win the green jersey anymore anyway).

And Sagan has won the green jersey without winning a stage.

 

[Brullnux]

Cavendish needs a Gent-Wevelgem then he's won all that a pure sprinter can win

 

[Pricey_sky]

As a pure sprinter Cav has done pretty much all he can, plus winning a fair amount on the track. He will be remembered as one of the very best sprinters of all time.

Of course Sagans palmares will be better as he's a much more versatile rider and can win a lot more races in the future, but he's not as good a sprinter as Cav, yes he beat him on Sunday, but there have been plenty of finishes everyone though Sagan would win easily and he finished 2nd in the past couple of years.