what would you consider to be the most important attribute in competitive cycling?

[Netserk]

Good question but I feel it needs to be broken down further.

What is the most important attribute do you feel for a grand tour competitor?
What is the most important attribute for a one day classic contender ?

Cycling is so diverse in disciplines that it really depends on what you or the team want to achieve when you look for attributes in a cyclist. Stage wins in the mountains, sprints,one week races,one day races and classics and the grand tours all require different attributes depending on the nature of the race.

A grand tour winner will be the most consistent over all the disciplines, usually excelling in one. A week long race can be won by a sprinter or a climber or a tt specialist depending on the nature of the race.

So to ask in professional cycling which attribute is the best is quite a bit more complex than it seems.

GT = Recovery
Classic = Endurance

 

[Northern rider]

A large amount of disposable income for "ahem" training plans

 

[RedheadDane]

What is the most important attribute do you feel for a grand tour competitor?

Well... for that I'd say you need to be slightly mental!

 

[The Hitch]

Oh really? Must've been in the days I didn't see any cycling(2004-2009). My apologies

He also podiumed Lombardia.

But he still shows talent in hilly 1 day races these days. Not so much Ardennes cos he doesnt do them but he came 5th in Lombardia last year and won Lugano vs Duarte.

 

[El Pistolero]

He also podiumed Lombardia.

But he still shows talent in hilly 1 day races these days. Not so much Ardennes cos he doesnt do them but he came 5th in Lombardia last year and won Lugano vs Duarte.

Lombardia has always been a climber's race though, though puncheurs/hilly classic riders are also good there(Bettini, Phil, Kolobnev). It's the best classic for a (pure) climber.

All the other classics are more favored to puncheurs.

 

[9000ft]

Physical talent, mental toughness, a fanatical work ethic, the killer instinct, a solid team, and a certain amount of luck.

 

[LouieLouie]

A body which responds well to, eh, external stimuli.