I've followed cycling for about 20 years, but I can't ever remember there being anything close to the amount of talent. Both in classics and in GTs, but especially that there is so many great young riders in almost all types of races (perhaps except more pure sprinters) than it has been the last couple of decades. But who is the greatest talent and who will dominate the most in the coming years? Below I've divided some of the biggest talents into two levels. The top level is the riders I believe have the potential to win 5-6-7 GTs or monuments or more. That is at least on par with riders like Gilbert, Boonen, Cancellara, Contador and Froome which are some of the greatest after 2000. The second level I also believe can win a lot, but doesn't have the talent IMO of the top four guys.
Level 1:
Here Pogacar is the obvious choice. I'm not sure if he is a bigger talent then for example Van der Poel or Remco, but he seems like a more safe choice. The two Vans probably need to drop or downplay their CX (and MTB) racing to achieve their full potential in road racing. In addition Van der Poel needs to improve tactically and Van Aert should probably not try to win all kind of races. Pogacar on the other hand seems to have it all. He already wins GTs in an impressive manner. He is good tactically, has sharper priorites than the two Vans and wins almos every type of race he aims for. Remco is the dark horse here. This season has been hampered due to the crash in Lombardia last fall, and it's possible that I already next summer will place him higher in this ranking.
Level 2:
Bernal have already won 2 GTs, and might end up with several more. But I think he well have trouble repeating the TDF victory against Pogacar (and Roglic the first few years) and perhaps also Evenepoel in not . Pidcock is a great and versatile talent, but I can't see that he has the same maximum potential as Van Aert and Van der Poel in the classiscs. And Almeida will/could win both GTs and monuments, but probably not in as great numbers as the riders on "level 1" could do.
And of course you have Alaphillipe..........
Level 1:
- Tadej Pogacar
- Mathieu van der Poel
- Wout van Aert
- Remco Evenepoel
Here Pogacar is the obvious choice. I'm not sure if he is a bigger talent then for example Van der Poel or Remco, but he seems like a more safe choice. The two Vans probably need to drop or downplay their CX (and MTB) racing to achieve their full potential in road racing. In addition Van der Poel needs to improve tactically and Van Aert should probably not try to win all kind of races. Pogacar on the other hand seems to have it all. He already wins GTs in an impressive manner. He is good tactically, has sharper priorites than the two Vans and wins almos every type of race he aims for. Remco is the dark horse here. This season has been hampered due to the crash in Lombardia last fall, and it's possible that I already next summer will place him higher in this ranking.
Level 2:
- Egan Bernal
- Tom Pidcock
- Jose Almeida
- Marc Hirschi
Bernal have already won 2 GTs, and might end up with several more. But I think he well have trouble repeating the TDF victory against Pogacar (and Roglic the first few years) and perhaps also Evenepoel in not . Pidcock is a great and versatile talent, but I can't see that he has the same maximum potential as Van Aert and Van der Poel in the classiscs. And Almeida will/could win both GTs and monuments, but probably not in as great numbers as the riders on "level 1" could do.
And of course you have Alaphillipe..........