The next great American rider.

[cyclingnutz]

Most of the current American Pro Tour riders are at or near their retirement age. Who will take their place in the peleton. There are a few really good riders making their way through the ranks. Do you think any of them have a chance at winning the Tour?

Short list of potential riders. Tejay Van Gardener (Columbia HTC), Peter Stetina(Garmin-Slipstream), Taylor Phinney(Livestrong), Ben King(Livestrong?)

 

[soOpOSMthanks!]

tyler farrar for sprints.

 

[El Imbatido]

You do know there are more races on the cycling calender other than the Tour? I guess i'm just saying the Tour maybe a bit ambitious. Maybe start slightly smaller with week long stage race or smaller stage races, etc

Even though i don't know much about the young guys coming through the ranks in American cycling, i believe in the next 5-10 years America will atleast develop some riders that can hold their own and possible challenge for overalls in stage races. Whether that be GTs or week long stage races or just multi-day races i'm not sure. But being a good cycling nation i am sure they will find someone.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Tejay seems to be a GT talent. TP will be great on the cobbles it seems

 

[Moondance]

I think Phinney has amazing talent and capacity, and it's going to be a question of how his capacity is moulded onto the road. Unfortunately the only think i can't see him doing is be a GT rider, he's simply too big, but he could be turned into a very good Cancellara/Hincapie type jack-of-all-trades.

 

[TRDean]

I think every one you mentioned will show well in the pro ranks in Europe. I have my eye on Ben King especially. I have a soft spot for him...don't know why. But I think there are some good young riders coming up...also, don't overlook the juniors that are coming up...they are riding very well on the international stage.

 

[TheNJDevil]

too bad Saul Raisin can't race anymore. That guy had so much potential to be a great overall contender in GT's.

 

[Clemson Cycling]

what do you guys think about Alex Howes?

 

[bikenrunnwt]

Alex Howes

I am suprised nobody has mentioned Alex Howes. Doubles at U23 Nationals and wins the queen stage, kom and 4th overall in Tour of Utah. He also impressed at the US PRO Championships.

I also think that Chris Barton (BMC) and another (North) American rider David Veilleux (Kelly Benefits/Can) will be strong classic/tt riders in the future.

 

[The_Z_man]

I think Phinney has amazing talent and capacity, and it's going to be a question of how his capacity is moulded onto the road. Unfortunately the only think i can't see him doing is be a GT rider, he's simply too big, but he could be turned into a very good Cancellara/Hincapie type jack-of-all-trades.

I remember when they said that about a certain Spaniard. His name was Miguel Indurain. It was always my impression that Phinney is more lankey than big. He seems to have his mother's build, more than his father. I'm not putting the maillot jaune on his shoulders just yet, but I'm not counting him out either.

I am a huge Phinney Phan. His old man was one of my favorites back in the day. He took Colorado crit style to the Continent, and won.

 

[flicker]

Taylor P.

Awesome talent.Taylor doesn't have constitution to put up with negative riding conditions of European road. I don't know how Farrar is so tough and consistent but the young Americans need to watch and learn from Farrar.

 

[Moondance]

Awesome talent.Taylor doesn't have constitution to put up with negative riding conditions of European road. I don't know how Farrar is so tough and consistent but the young Americans need to watch and learn from Farrar.

Didn't he win the U23-edition of Paris-Roubaix, the poster child of "negative riding condition of Europe," or whatever that last part is supposed to mean.

 

[Astana1]

Awesome talent.Taylor doesn't have constitution to put up with negative riding conditions of European road. I don't know how Farrar is so tough and consistent but the young Americans need to watch and learn from Farrar.

Farrar lives and trains in and around Ghent as opposed to Girona, Spain with the rest of the notable American riders from Garmin and Columbia.

As someone else noted Taylor won the U-23 PR and clearly does have the stuff to compete in Europe. I have my doubts that he'll be a GT overall contender but you never know.

 

[hoogerland]

I think Stetina has a future. I'm not a huge Garmin fan (to close to home) and I think he would be better served on Columbia, who seem to be good at developing talent. He looked solid at Gila, nearly beat Levi on stage 1, and beat several very good riders.

 

[Wrecktangle]

Lance Armstrong...

...who will transmogrify the sport into something you've never seen before.

...while you silly Euros squabble over stupid stuff while poorly funding the sport.

 

[flicker]

Taylor P.

Hey I didn't know T's based in Ghent. I just read his blogs and he is always complaining about being sick. I think he was sick when he crashed at tour of ute. He complains about jet lag and he does sound to me like he misses home.
Sounds like a healthy kid but hey if you think he can live out of a suitcase and ride crushing ugly European races away from the good old USA we will see Moondance.
I do not fault his accomplishments he has acheived much and makes it look easy in such an elite cutthroat pro sport. Mononucleosis and broncitis is just around the corner for all those pros.

 

[cyclingnutz]

I am suprised nobody has mentioned Alex Howes. Doubles at U23 Nationals and wins the queen stage, kom and 4th overall in Tour of Utah. He also impressed at the US PRO Championships.

I also think that Chris Barton (BMC) and another (North) American rider David Veilleux (Kelly Benefits/Can) will be strong classic/tt riders in the future.

Alex Howes has shown great promise. I'm not that familiar with Chris Barton, he is in a great program at BMC. David Veilleux is most likely destined for a great career in the states.
I'm also looking forward to seeing some of the new riders on the Livestrong team.

 

[shawnrohrbach]

Interesting names of the next generation of American cyclists here. For the "generation" beyond this group, keep an eye on a guy by the name of Steve Fisher...Here's some information on him.
http://kasanovaonline.com/sports/lure-chase-heart-collegiate-cyclist

 

[Clemson Cycling]

does anyone know anything about Bjorn Selander or Matthew Busche both recently signed by Team Radioshack