Lombardia's over, so it's safe to do this now. Single day efforts only. Let's hear them.
1. Cadel Evans, TdF Stage 20, Grenoble ITT
After he ploughed a lonely furrow right the way through the Alps, being run ragged by the combined might of the Schlecks and just about keeping his head above water, to then come back and almost win the ITT against the likes of Martin and Cancellara was astonishing stuff. It was just his time.
2. Andy Schleck, TdF Stage 18, Pinerolo – Col du Galibier
As epic a ride in the big mountains as you could ever wish to witness. Even more impressive, it managed to earn the respect of the Cycling News Forum – well, for 1 day, at least.
3. Fabian Cancellara, Ronde van Vlaanderen
Have we ever seen so much power on a bike before? And then he bonked, big time, recovered, and then somehow managed to get away from the likes of Gilbert and Flecha again. If he’d used his head, before and during the race, as much as he used his legs, he’d have won by 10 minutes.
4. Tony Martin, World Champs ITT, Copenhagen. Beat the undisputed, greatest TTer of all time by over a minute. Nuff said.
5. Alberto Contador, Giro d’Italia Stage 9, Messina to Etna
Ever seen a GT won on the first serious mountain stage? We did this year. Not the hardest working performance or by the biggest margin, but Bertie’s win was done with such dominance and ease, that nobody, including the opposition, thought that he wasn’t going to win the Giro by however much he wanted to win by, after this.
6. British Team, World Champs Elite Mens Road Race, Copenhagen
Yep, all of them. Yeah it was flat, boring, always going to be a sprint, etc., etc. But to control from start to finish and then win a race that they only qualified 3 riders for last year was pretty extraordinary stuff.
7. Jonny Hoogerland, TdF Stage 9, Issoire – Saint-Flour
After getting knocked off your bike by a ton of wayward metal, spiralling through barbed wire and having your legs, literally, ripped to shreds, most of us would go crying to our mum and not got back on a bike again for 2 months. Jonny was picking up the polka dot jersey within 2 hours.
8. Philippe Gilbert, La Fleche Wallonne.
Phil, it’s the Mur de Huy. At least make it look like you’re working for your win a little bit next time please.
9. Mark Cavendish, TdF Stage 5, Carhaix – Cap Frehel
The Sprint of the Year. With no lead out to speak of, the likes of EBH and Hushovd already some way up the road and on a finish he had no right to win on, Cav somehow found a way to do just that.
10. Thor Hushovd, TdF Stage 12, Pau – Lourdes
An irresistible force, Thor imposed his personality, will and sheer presence on the rest. They didn’t stand a chance – he would not be denied.
1. Cadel Evans, TdF Stage 20, Grenoble ITT
After he ploughed a lonely furrow right the way through the Alps, being run ragged by the combined might of the Schlecks and just about keeping his head above water, to then come back and almost win the ITT against the likes of Martin and Cancellara was astonishing stuff. It was just his time.
2. Andy Schleck, TdF Stage 18, Pinerolo – Col du Galibier
As epic a ride in the big mountains as you could ever wish to witness. Even more impressive, it managed to earn the respect of the Cycling News Forum – well, for 1 day, at least.
3. Fabian Cancellara, Ronde van Vlaanderen
Have we ever seen so much power on a bike before? And then he bonked, big time, recovered, and then somehow managed to get away from the likes of Gilbert and Flecha again. If he’d used his head, before and during the race, as much as he used his legs, he’d have won by 10 minutes.
4. Tony Martin, World Champs ITT, Copenhagen. Beat the undisputed, greatest TTer of all time by over a minute. Nuff said.
5. Alberto Contador, Giro d’Italia Stage 9, Messina to Etna
Ever seen a GT won on the first serious mountain stage? We did this year. Not the hardest working performance or by the biggest margin, but Bertie’s win was done with such dominance and ease, that nobody, including the opposition, thought that he wasn’t going to win the Giro by however much he wanted to win by, after this.
6. British Team, World Champs Elite Mens Road Race, Copenhagen
Yep, all of them. Yeah it was flat, boring, always going to be a sprint, etc., etc. But to control from start to finish and then win a race that they only qualified 3 riders for last year was pretty extraordinary stuff.
7. Jonny Hoogerland, TdF Stage 9, Issoire – Saint-Flour
After getting knocked off your bike by a ton of wayward metal, spiralling through barbed wire and having your legs, literally, ripped to shreds, most of us would go crying to our mum and not got back on a bike again for 2 months. Jonny was picking up the polka dot jersey within 2 hours.
8. Philippe Gilbert, La Fleche Wallonne.
Phil, it’s the Mur de Huy. At least make it look like you’re working for your win a little bit next time please.
9. Mark Cavendish, TdF Stage 5, Carhaix – Cap Frehel
The Sprint of the Year. With no lead out to speak of, the likes of EBH and Hushovd already some way up the road and on a finish he had no right to win on, Cav somehow found a way to do just that.
10. Thor Hushovd, TdF Stage 12, Pau – Lourdes
An irresistible force, Thor imposed his personality, will and sheer presence on the rest. They didn’t stand a chance – he would not be denied.