Velo d’Or 2023

[RedheadDane]

But if we count big wins Pogacar has the edge on Roglic in 2021. It's TDF + 2 monuments + Tirreno vs Vuelta + Olympic ITT + Itzulia. Unless beating Masnada devalues that Lombardía to 1.1 level.

Surely, it enhances it to some mythical rank way above WorldTour. The "UniverseTour", perhaps.

 

[Red Rick]

But if we count big wins Pogacar has the edge on Roglic in 2021. It's TDF + 2 monuments + Tirreno vs Vuelta + Olympic ITT + Itzulia. Unless beating Masnada devalues that Lombardía to 1.1 level.

Discussion was strictly about best non Velo d'or winning years. Pog deservedly won it in 2021.

 

[Valv.Piti]

2012 was past his prime Boonen anyways. Super impressive, no doubt, but with Cancellara out the competition was definitely a bit shaky. Actually, I barely remember Tommeke in his prime (2005-2006?), what I remember about him is the Roubaixs he won in the late 00's where he probably also was in his prime, I dno, but probably not as good as he was in those two years? I wonder what he could have done in those two Flanders that Stijn won, I have always felt a bit meh about those.

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

2012 was past his prime Boonen anyways. Super impressive, no doubt, but with Cancellara out the competition was definitely a bit shaky. Actually, I barely remember Tommeke in his prime (2005-2006?), what I remember about him is the Roubaixs he won in the late 00's where he probably also was in his prime, I dno, but probably not as good as he was in those two years? I wonder what he could have done in those two Flanders that Stijn won, I have always felt a bit meh about those.

Mentioning P-R, his 2nd place debut still appears as the most crystal clear to my memory than every of his victories in this race. By the time rooting so much for Big George in a race where he finally seemed to have a winning chance, then the race really delivering its fate, then rooting for the upcomer and out-of-body experience as if it was my first bike race watch as a kid in the 70ies.

 

[BigCoward]

If we take the manner of that victory into account, its going to be tough to beat. Vingegaard has a route to beat him, Roglic maybe, remco can't with remaining races, neither can Pog.

 

[Riek s]

If we take the manner of that victory into account, its going to be tough to beat. Vingegaard has a route to beat him, Roglic maybe, remco can't with remaining races, neither can Pog.

Vdp also has the wc cross right? I think he might be ahead of everyone now. If he can redo it for mtb...

 

[Monte Serra]

I think Flanders, Sanremo and World's should be enough for Mathieu.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Going to be the hardest choice ever if Vingegaard wins the Vuelta. If not, it would be a crime not to give it to Van der Poel after today.

 

[Blanco]

Going to be the hardest choice ever if Vingegaard wins the Vuelta. If not, it would be a crime not to give it to Van der Poel after today.

If Vingegaard wins it, then I guess he will win it, otherwise I agree, it would be a crime not to give it to Van Der Poel.
Even if Roglic wins Vuelta (which I would like very much), I would give it to Mathieu.

Edit: By the way, I was the 1st vote for him in this poll.

 

[Rackham]

I think Flanders, Sanremo and World's should be enough for Mathieu.

Don't forget Lombardia.

If one of the riders who has currently won a GT this season doubles with the Vuelta + Lombardia, then VdP's exploits (as great as they are) won't quite match them.

But I can see after today how VdP has scored some points, especially with the manner of his win (huge gap + crash for extra epic factor).

 

[Monte Serra]

Don't forget Lombardia.

If one of the riders who has currently won a GT this season doubles with the Vuelta + Lombardia, then VdP's exploits (as great as they are) won't quite match them.

But I can see after today how VdP has scored some points, especially with the manner of his win (huge gap + crash for extra epic factor).

I somehow doubt that Remco will ride Lombardia. He started his season already in San Juan. And Jonas and Primož will probably also opt for some family time after two grand tours.

 

[Rackham]

I somehow doubt that Remco will ride Lombardia. He started his season already in San Juan. And Jonas and Primož will probably also opt for some family time after two grand tours.

I had Vingegaard & Rogla in mind tbh.

Giro + Vuelta + Lombardia would be crazy (ditto Tour + Vuelta + Lombardia). And I expect both Vinge & Rog to race Lombardia, as per usual (Rog only missed it last season due to his Vuelta injuries).

 

[jaylew]

Likely down to Mathieu and Jonas. I'm not sure Pog or Remco can quite get there with what's remaining. For me, Roglic would have to win the Vuelta and Lombardia and I'm not sure if he's racing GdL as he seems to have foregone one day races lately despite being really good at them .

 

[Netserk]

Going to be the hardest choice ever if Vingegaard wins the Vuelta. If not, it would be a crime not to give it to Van der Poel after today.

I think it’ll be an easy choice if he wins the Vuelta.

I think it’ll be more even if Rogla wins with Vingegaard second.

 

[dercuforever]

As a classic man, it's hard to do better than he did :
On the 6 biggests one day events, three wins and one second place.
Only thing VDP has against him is no results in "medium" races. (GT stages, WT stages, WT classics), but he still has 2nd in E3.

 

[Big Doopie]

VDP moves to the top of my list.

 

[Red Rick]

Going to be the hardest choice ever if Vingegaard wins the Vuelta. If not, it would be a crime not to give it to Van der Poel after today.

Honestly think VdP has it locked up right now.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Honestly think VdP has it locked up right now.

Even if Vingegaard surprises and wins Vuelta + Lombardia?

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Even if Vingegaard surprises and wins Vuelta + Lombardia?

Won't happen. Viengaard won't even do lombardia

 

[fbjim]

I was going for Pogacar if he won Worlds but yeah doing an illegal vote change to VDP now,

 

[Red Rick]

Even if Vingegaard surprises and wins Vuelta + Lombardia?

Then probably. But I would expect MvdP to get it Vingegaard "only" wins the Vuelta. His big wins were all spectacular, he's more popular, etc. Also CX WC and maybe some MTB results.

Roglic is never gonna get it even if he wins Vuelta + Lombardia.

 

[jaylew]

As a classic man, it's hard to do better than he did :
On the 6 biggests one day events, three wins and one second place.
Only thing VDP has against him is no results in "medium" races. (GT stages, WT stages, WT classics), but he still has 2nd in E3.

Admittedly minor considerations in this conversation but he also picked up one stage race GC and piloted his sprinter to the Green jersey and the most wins among sprinters this year.

 

[Rackham]

Then probably. But I would expect MvdP to get it Vingegaard "only" wins the Vuelta. His big wins were all spectacular, he's more popular, etc. Also CX WC and maybe some MTB results.

Roglic is never gonna get it even if he wins Vuelta + Lombardia.

If Roglič gets the Vuelta + Lombardia, it's one of the greatest individual seasons ever (especially if he keeps a 100% win rate for the rest of the year).

I mean... it would become a conversation IMO. It would be San Remo + Roubaix + Worlds versus Giro + Vuelta + Lombardia.

And is everyone forgetting the Tour de France already? I mean sure what VdP does in one day races is just 'the best' there is in pro cycling in terms of one day racing, but what Vingegaard does in a GT is also crazy.

 

[fbjim]

I am ideologically opposed to riders getting the Velo D'Or specifically for TDF results. Always been biased that way.

 

[Rackham]

I am ideologically opposed to riders getting the Velo D'Or specifically for TDF results. Always been biased that way.

It could be argued one day specialists have become the new bias of cycling followers.

It's just hard for me to reconcile Van der Poel with 'best rider of the year' after his TdF in which he did one job only: enforcer for Philipsen.

Don't get me wrong & I don't say this to be controversial or argue with anyone because VdP really is a phenomenal champion, no question, it's just he barely existed in the Tour. I have a personal bias towards GT specialists, I admit, but I think stage races in general (including one week races) get pretty hard done by cycling press & followers versus the razzmatazz of a one day showdown like the Glasgow Worlds.