The best one week stage racers of the 21st century

[Extinction]

Worlds ok, but Valverde didn't rode for Spain in Liege...

Truth is, he was not a good finisher, and in one-day races it matters a lot. He simply didn't had a terrain to make a difference.

Right, however, at Liege he could have made the difference. If Hamilton did it, so could have Conrador. Same with Worlds on a selective enough course at peak form. I think, again, he was conditioned to not give any real effort at winning these races, not because he couldn't do it. Of course, with Valverde on the national team at Worlds it would have always been complicated.

 

[SafeBet]

In France the Midi Libre and the Critérium International used to be pretty important. Now they're off the calender. In certain years the Tour of Germany was gaining importance, and later the Tour of California, but that didn't last long.

Tour of California was the 4th GT so it hardly matters here.

 

[SafeBet]

What about best one week stage racers, who never - or very rarely - showed anything in GTs?

Spilak?

I'm not sure whether this question still refers to 21st century riders but Roger De Vlaeminck won 6 (consecutive) TA + 1 Suisse and never podiumed a GT.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Everyone taking back their Roglic votes.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Everyone taking back their Roglic votes.

This is not "the celebrate to early" thread.

 

[Red Rick]

Itzulia is only 6 days and doesn't count lol

 

[gregrowlerson]

Itzulia is only 6 days and doesn't count lol

"Even God rested on the seventh day."

The Bible, probably.

 

[gregrowlerson]

This is not "the celebrate to early" thread.

It's okay Lev; I heard that the Tour Down Under is back on, so it's possible that a declining Primoz could target that in 2023

P.S. Seriously hope that he makes it his new Vuelta, elevating the event to being the eighth wonder of the one week world.....making Richie Porte the undisputed greatest one week racer of all time.

 

[yaco]

It's okay Lev; I heard that the Tour Down Under is back on, so it's possible that a declining Primoz could target that in 2023

P.S. Seriously hope that he makes it his new Vuelta, elevating the event to being the eighth wonder of the one week world.....making Richie Porte the undisputed greatest one week racer of all time.

Luke Plapp will be the leader for Ineos at the TDU.

 

[Panda Claws]

Source: CQranking

Contador for sure even after losing a few results although Quintana might be the only 21st century rider to win a stage in each of those races.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Roglic had won 5 when the thread started, now 8.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Contador and Roglic shoulda won more of them than they did. They both got unlucky a few times. I'd have to go with Roglic because hes more versatile than Contador. Valverde at his peak was super dangerous as well, and so was Porte.

That being said, this is not even a discussion in a few years: Pogacar.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Looking at achievements, Roglic is probably the greatest one week stage-racer of the 21st century. But who's the best (in terms of level)? Not sure, when there are also guys like Pogacar and Contador.

 

[tobydawq]

Contador and Roglic shoulda won more of them than they did. They both got unlucky a few times. I'd have to go with Roglic because hes more versatile than Contador. Valverde at his peak was super dangerous as well, and so was Porte.

That being said, this is not even a discussion in a few years: Pogacar.

Or Remco.

 

[Netserk]

Roglic had won 5 when the thread started, now 8.

It was started after Paris - Nice last year, so he had won 6 by then.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

ok

Even so, any of those who didn't vote for him before reconsidering?

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

It was started after Paris - Nice last year, so he had won 6 by then.

Granted, sorry.

Now he has added three since the thread started: an extra 240 in the table I did, putting him 4th this century behind Contador, Porte and Valverde, and overtaking Costa, Kloden, Evans and Quintana; also overtaking Zulle, Ocana, Roche, De Vlaeminck, Kubler and Indurain to go 11th on the all time list by that system.
Up to nine wins now, joint 2nd with Anquetil and Rominger, with only Kelly ahead.
And he has won 6 of the 7 (never started Tour de Suisse) which is unprecedented.

Now I am reconsidering my vote.

 

[Blanco]

Primoz Roglic is the best one-week stage racer since Sean Kelly.

 

[Cookster15]

I had to vote for Contador based upon the table provided by Netserk - AC's dominance in week long stage races surprised me. Incredible when you also consider AC's Grand Tour record. Roglic's poll favoritism seems an example of recency bias. Time will tell.

 

[Netserk]

Granted, sorry.

Now he has added three since the thread started: an extra 240 in the table I did, putting him 4th this century behind Contador, Porte and Valverde, and overtaking Costa, Kloden, Evans and Quintana; also overtaking Zulle, Ocana, Roche, De Vlaeminck, Kubler and Indurain to go 11th on the all time list by that system.
Up to nine wins now, joint 2nd with Anquetil and Rominger, with only Kelly ahead.
And he has won 6 of the 7 (never started Tour de Suisse) which is unprecedented.

Now I am reconsidering my vote.

A big difference between Contador and Rogla is the podium distribution. Contador has 9 2nd places to his 7(/8) wins, Rogla has 0 2nd places to his 9 wins.

Primož has the complete toolkit in these races and a stunningly high level whenever he pins a number on his back. The only question mark is his longevity.

So yeah, I'm reconsidering as well, I'm inclined to now put Rogla at the top.