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Rank these Cycling Legends: Kristoff, Van Avermaet, Purito, Quintana, Degenkolb

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Asero831

Jan 26, 2014
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How would you rank them?
They had stellar careers but never reach Iconic Status ala Boonen, Cancellara, Contador, Froome, Valverde, Nibali, Cavendish, Gilbert, Sagan, etc.

Here's mine:
  1. Purito
  2. Kristoff
  3. Degenkolb
  4. Quintana
  5. GVA
 
Peyroteo94

Peyroteo94

Mar 20, 2022
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Purito and Quintana were underachievers, given their talent. The other 3 were massively favoured by an inconsistent Peter Sagan and he still had all eyes on him that caused the other 3 to win more
 
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Squire

Squire

Dec 28, 2010
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All of these are not quite at the level I'd consider legends, but then I guess I would use 'legends' for what you term 'iconic' riders.

In terms of results, I'd actually put Purito near or at the bottom here. But he's also probably the one who will be the most remembered out of this list. GVA, Kristoff and Degenkolb are all very similar in terms of legacy. Can't really compare Quintana and the classics riders.
 
proffate

proffate

Jul 10, 2012
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Odd list of nearly-men here...

I think the only one in this list who didn't underachieve in his career was GVA. He was rarely if ever the best but was able to consistently put himself in a position where a little bit of luck could deliver a victory. For me his Olympics was the top result that anyone on this list managed so he's at the top. You don't judge a poker player by the hand they're dealt but what they do with it.
 
S

Sciatic

Mar 4, 2011
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proffate said:
Odd list of nearly-men here...

I think the only one in this list who didn't underachieve in his career was GVA. He was rarely if ever the best but was able to consistently put himself in a position where a little bit of luck could deliver a victory. For me his Olympics was the top result that anyone on this list managed so he's at the top. You don't judge a poker player by the hand they're dealt but what they do with it.
Click to expand...
It always seemed like he never was quite at the very top, but looking at palmares he’s had a great career.
I don’t think this necessary makes them legends, but there were a stretch of years during which Nairo and Purito were the absolute best at their specialty.
 
PremierAndrew

PremierAndrew

May 9, 2014
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Purito the biggest underachiever, Kristoff the biggest overachiever
GVA at least had a period where he was arguably the best classics rider, but ultimately the only ones we're gonna remember are Nairo and Purito, even if Purito probably has the emptiest palmares

Quintana
Purito

GVA









Kristoff
Degenkolb
 
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proffate

proffate

Jul 10, 2012
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jsem94 said:
Winning GTs has to put Quintana ahead of the rest.
Click to expand...
Meh, there are 12 GTs for every one Olympics.

If you define cycling as all about having the biggest aerobic engine then fine, but then what separates it from other endurance sports? To me, versatility is the hallmark of a true legend like Merckx or Pogacar. Quintana has to be the least versatile of this entire list.
 
gunara

gunara

Dec 6, 2012
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This is random. Why no Thomas, Terpstra, Devolder or even Wiggins, Dumoulin, or Samu Sánchez.

Anyway, maybe people will remember Quintana the longest among them, then maybe Purito. Just because they are GT riders with where you don't have to be a constant winner to be in future conversation.
 
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Valv.Piti

Valv.Piti

Aug 3, 2015
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Just to expand: Purito is by far the rider I'll remember the most out of these 5. He just a joy to watch to me, and honestly I probably remember him more fondly because of what he didn't win. Vuelta 2012, those are some memories!

Quintana. Honestly, a bit meh after that start in 2013. Great career, expected more, and wasn't all that exciting to me after the first few years.

Greg, nothing compared to Gilbert's 2011 season in term of legendary status, but man he was good in 17.

Kristoff and Degenkolb, honestly I don't really care about at all. Neither excites me the slightest.
 
Gigs_98

Gigs_98

Feb 18, 2015
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Quintana
Purito
GVA
Kristoff
Degenkolb

All of them have two "major wins", but surely GT's are just a bit more prestigious so Quintana takes the cake for me. Also, while the other ones are strong riders I don't think they were ever the very best even in their own discipline (with some small exceptions). Quintana for a time arguably held the title of best climber in the world and easily could have won the biggest race in the world if things had gone just a little differently.

Purito I rate 2nd because although his wins maybe don't clearly outshine those of the other three, he's the only one among them who I think underachieved instead of overachieved. He really at least should have won that world championship and Vuelta.

The remaining three are all really hard to rate. I'd say GVA probably has the third best palmares but I also think he is the rider who most benefited from the Sagan effect. It's still baffling how often the entire peloton raced against Sagan but was absolutely willing to drag GVA to the finish although the latter was argubly the better sprinter at the end of a hard race.

Kristoff and Degenkolb, yeah I really don't know. I rated Kristoff higher because he has more Tour stage wins and I feel like that means a lot for sprinters. Also I still have a lot of respect for Kristoff actually winning the Ronde with a bit of panache.
 
Gigs_98

Gigs_98

Feb 18, 2015
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Concerning the completness of the list, if we rank aging riders with two big wins then Terpstra (as already mentioned), Kwiatkowski and Fuglsang are missing. Cavendish actually also falls into that category and I bet a few people on this forum wouldn't rate him as number 1 out of that list.
 
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skippo12

May 14, 2017
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1)Looking at Quintana his palmares doesn´t match his peak level. Add a quick decline and even two GT victories aren´t enough to match the amount of big wins or iconic moments to reach the level of the mentioned legends.

2) Purito is the biggest underachiever. Him never winning a GT still blows my mind. Getting ambushed by Contador is one thing but not being able to drop Hesjedal in the mountains is another story. Eternal second. Always finding a way to lose. But also one of the most consistent performers.

3) Kristoff gets credit for his longevity and the number of big results he produced over the years. Considering that is classic results are nearly on par with GVA he gets the nod. Even though I am really tempted to downgrade him for being the most boring to watch.

4) GVA was on pace for a Vanmarcke-like runner-up in major classics career. Thankfully he had a magical stretch in 2017. One of the best classic campaigns in recent history. ORR win is enough to put him in front of Degenkolb.

5)Degenkolb is the biggest what if. His 2015 season might be the best peak among the mentioned names but he was never the same after the accident in 2016. Even shorter prime than Quintana. Only won one WT stage since the accident. Cobbled Tour stage in 2018.
 
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