who are the most overrated riders in the peloton in your opinion?

[theyoungest]

Hey if we add riders overrated by the TV commentators I have a whole list.

Like for example Koen de Kort, because the commentators always say he is a good time trial specialist. While the last good time trial Koen de Kort did was as an U23 rider

Is this a mistake Maarten Ducrot makes? That's not really overrating a cyclist, that's just not knowing much about the sport. He also calls Francis de Greef a time trialist.

 

[Angliru]

Did you run out of guys with light coloring to hate?

How about adding guys with freckly complexion, too? Voigt? Farrar? Klemme?

Whaaaaaat????????????????

 

[Angliru]

A podium contender at best this year but I agree with your logic. You will of course be lending the same grace to young Schleck who is less than a year older

Of course that was not my intention.

Young Schleck deserves the hype and with that comes the criticism. It goes both ways. I compare his brother's results in major week long stage races and at least he contends, competes and yet still has it in him to have something left for the Ardennes. Young Schleck's claim to fame in the major week long stage races is a KoM classification.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Is this a mistake Maarten Ducrot makes? That's not really overrating a cyclist, that's just not knowing much about the sport. He also calls Francis de Greef a time trialist.

No this is what Wuyts and Renaat say every time koen de kort is in their view.

technically de kort is/was a tt specialist, but the last good long itt he did is ancient history

 

[boomcie]

No this is what Wuyts and Renaat say every time koen de kort is in their view.

technically de kort is/was a tt specialist, but the last good long itt he did is ancient history

He still did some fairly good ones in 2008 @Astana. But not good enough to be called a specialist, you're right about that.

 

[theyoungest]

The only good Koen de Kort time trial I remember was the GP Eddy Merckx, which he won, but that was indeed as an espoir. Together with Thomas Dekker, which must have helped.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Lol, Thomas did 90% of the lead work there.

 

[movingtarget]

Has anyone ever said he can beat Contador or Gilbert in their respective strengths? I don't believe so.

If they do, then yes, that would be overrating him.

Actually some people have picked Andy Schleck to win the TDF this year. Why wouldn't they ? I don't think that is overrating him. Contador did not beat him convincingly last year but most people seemed to think Contador was below his best. This year Contador also has the Giro in his legs. This could be Schleck's best chance of beating Contador for the forseeable future. I have my doubts for the usual reason : time trialling.

If you want overrated how about Frank Schleck or Tony Martin. Considering how often, Frank is spoken about as a favourite in grand tours, I think he has underachieved. I would not include Wiggins because many seem to think he has achieved more than expected already with his fourth place in 2009 and the consensus is he won't repeat that result. Personally I would like to see Wiggins and Evans do well. Both riders cop more than their fair share of criticism.

 

[Publicus]

I wonder how to define "overrated". For example, someone mentioned Fabian Wegmann. As far as I know, he has never been expected above the "decent one-day-racer and domestique"-level. And Gerdemann - well, he used to be seen as the next Jan Ullrich, but that was a looong time ago. Same (and even worse) happened to Marcus Fothen and nobody would mention him here.

But if "overrated" means, that the winning potential credited to a rider exceeds his true potential by far, than I cannot understand why Andy Schleck so often is mentioned here. He can win the Tour without a doubt. I can't see AC being a better climber anymore. Of course, he is a better ITT-rider. But as we have seen in last year's Tour, this years's Giro and the Spanish championships, AC seems unable to reach his unnatural ITT strength of 2009 again. So Andy has a real chance to win this years Tour on the road.

If "overrated" includes a certain kind of "hype", than my choice would be Tejay van Garderen. Can't see him winning big races.

Overated (a transitive verb): to rate, value or estimate too highly.

I'm one of those that thinks he's overrated because you can't be rated as the second best stage racer in the world and have not won a stage race. Note, I didn't say hasn't won a GT. A stage race. Potential is a wonderfully dangerous thing. We can always talk about what we THINK a person can do, but at the end of the day, either he does it or he doesn't. Again, I think Andy is an immensely talented rider, but who lacks the mental discipline necessary to win a GT. That being said, I think this his is best year to win the TdF, but that has more to do with Contador riding the Giro than Andy's abilities vis-a-vis Contador.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I wonder how to define "overrated". For example, someone mentioned Fabian Wegmann. As far as I know, he has never been expected above the "decent one-day-racer and domestique"-level. And Gerdemann - well, he used to be seen as the next Jan Ullrich, but that was a looong time ago. Same (and even worse) happened to Marcus Fothen and nobody would mention him here.

But if "overrated" means, that the winning potential credited to a rider exceeds his true potential by far, than I cannot understand why Andy Schleck so often is mentioned here. He can win the Tour without a doubt. I can't see AC being a better climber anymore. Of course, he is a better ITT-rider. But as we have seen in last year's Tour, this years's Giro and the Spanish championships, AC seems unable to reach his unnatural ITT strength of 2009 again. So Andy has a real chance to win this years Tour on the road.

If "overrated" includes a certain kind of "hype", than my choice would be Tejay van Garderen. Can't see him winning big races.

He finished 3rd in this year's Giro final TT, while he was celebrating during the last kilometre. I wouldn't call that bad. In 2009 the course of the Tour ITT suited him perfectly, and he only won a lot of time on Cancellara due to the bump in the course. In the remaining part, he lost about 40s to him. That isn't unnatural. Must I remind you that AC was attracted to ONCE as a time trialist, and that he was attracted because he had won the U23 national ITT? His first win as a professional was a time trial as well.

Also, I think AC is still a better climber than AS. Andy has only once taken time on Alberto, in stage 8 of last year's Tour de France. 10 seconds. AC will always win 30s or more in an ITT.

If AC isn't too tired from the Giro, I honestly don't see Andy beating him. (Otherwise, Andy will mess up, of course.)

 

[Pantani_lives]

I would say Chris Horner is overrated. Winning the Tour of California doesn't make him a TdF favorite.

 

[ergmonkey]

Whaaaaaat????????????????

First off, that should be read as a joke. I hoped the bit about freckles might tip you off to that.

Second, I just found it interesting that a poster named "Alejandro Valverde" came up with a fairly long list of overrated riders containing only Germans and a flamboyant Italian pretty boy.

It seemed a little more than just coincidental.

 

[abbaskip]

I go back and forth on Renshaw. Still, I'm inclined to think the "world's best leadout man" title is given to him a bit too easily simply because he's most often the one leading out the world's best sprinter.

If Renshaw were leading out Farrar, I think Renshaw would probably just be "the world's most frustrated leadout man."

I think what Renshaw does clearly do much much better than most lead out men of the past, is fight his way to the front of the peleton. His positioning, and ability to ride through a bunch is great from all his experience on the track. I think he isn't as fast as some seem to imply (though on his day can sprint with most of the good sprinters), but his positioning and strength in the pack are second to none.

 

[AlejandroValverde]

I think it's just coincidental. I thought of riders who everyone hoped to achieve great results but they didn't.

I can also name for example Brajkovic, Farrar (but I like him), Krapets, Coppel as overrated cyclists. The Germans were first in my mind accidentaly but I still think that guys are most overrated

 

[theyoungest]

I think it's just coincidental. I thought of riders who everyone hoped to achieve great results but they didn't.

I can also name for example Brajkovic, Farrar (but I like him), Krapets, Coppel as overrated cyclists. The Germans were first in my mind accidentaly but I still think that guys are most overrated

I don't think he's overrated though, who rates him?

 

[Swabian Lass]

I don't think he's overrated though, who rates him?

Exactly, you've got to be rated to be overrated and I don't think anyone does.

Similarly with Gerdemann, back in 2007 he was going to save German cycling single handed, but it never quite worked out like that..... He was overrated back then maybe, but not today.

I don't think that Bradley Wiggins is overrated by anyone except the British media. Otherwise he's rated as an excellent TT man, who can hang on in the mountains, but isn't a good enough climber to be a real GC contender in the GTs.

 

[boomcie]

Exactly, you've got to be rated to be overrated and I don't think anyone does.

Similarly with Gerdemann, back in 2007 he was going to save German cycling single handed, but it never quite worked out like that..... He was overrated back then maybe, but not today.

I don't think that Bradley Wiggins is overrated by anyone except the British media. Otherwise he's rated as an excellent TT man, who can hang on in the mountains, but isn't a good enough climber to be a real GC contender in the GTs.

I seem to remember some people on these boards still rate Linus.
Can't imagine anyone still rating Karpets

 

[cawright1375]

I'd vote for Tyler Farrar as the most overrated rider currently in the peloton. Although as I've not had cable and thus had to watch a source other than Versus for my race coverage this year, I've been lucky to avoid the Phil/Paul/Bobke outpouring of praise for him. Yes, he has won stages in the Giro & Vuelta, but it seems that when it comes to the big show, he just doesn't have it, but what he does have is lots of excuses.

And yeah I'd second the notion that Renshaw would be the most frustrated lead out man if he lead out Farrar.

 

[taiwan]

I would say Chris Horner is overrated. Winning the Tour of California doesn't make him a TdF favorite.

Not just that though, it's the Pais Vasco last year (podium this year) and the top ten at the '10 Tour after being a domestique for Lance for the first part of the race.

 

[gurumuka]

Wiggins; absolutely and beyond doubt and I see no mention of Ryder Hesjedal.

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

Overated (a transitive verb): to rate, value or estimate too highly.

I'm one of those that thinks he's overrated because you can't be rated as the second best stage racer in the world and have not won a stage race. Note, I didn't say hasn't won a GT. A stage race. Potential is a wonderfully dangerous thing. We can always talk about what we THINK a person can do, but at the end of the day, either he does it or he doesn't. Again, I think Andy is an immensely talented rider, but who lacks the mental discipline necessary to win a GT. That being said, I think this his is best year to win the TdF, but that has more to do with Contador riding the Giro than Andy's abilities vis-a-vis Contador.

Respectfully disagree (Im sure you've heard that before coming from me ). While you make a good a point, he has demonstrated his ability to win. Last year would have been drastically different had that chain not slipped. Also twice finishing second to the one widely considered the world's best stage racer in the sport's most prestigious race makes for an excellent case. Besides, if not Andy, who is the second best?

To answer the original question? It's hard to say, I don't see much of the media overrating riders, but I do see fans and compatriots. As for a rider I think is universally overrated, I just can't say. Cycling is so specialized in it's focus. Maybe Andre Greipel is an overrated sprinter. Until I see him beat Cav or consistently finish within a length of him, he's not anywhere near the second best sprinter as many consider, but he has shown breakaway power which can potentially make him a good classics rider (small group sprint at Roubaix perhaps), so is he actually overrated? Know what I mean?

 

[Publicus]

Respectfully disagree (Im sure you've heard that before coming from me ). While you make a good a point, he has demonstrated his ability to win. Last year would have been drastically different had that chain not slipped. Also twice finishing second to the one widely considered the world's best stage racer in the sport's most prestigious race makes for an excellent case. Besides, if not Andy, who is the second best?

To answer the original question? It's hard to say, I don't see much of the media overrating riders, but I do see fans and compatriots. As for a rider I think is universally overrated, I just can't say. Cycling is so specialized in it's focus. Maybe Andre Greipel is an overrated sprinter. Until I see him beat Cav or consistently finish within a length of him, he's not anywhere near the second best sprinter as many consider, but he has shown breakaway power which can potentially make him a good classics rider (small group sprint at Roubaix perhaps), so is he actually overrated? Know what I mean?

What stage race did he demonstrate his ability to win a stage race, and you know, actually win it? Every stage race, be it a GT or a week long stage race is winnable by one of the top riders but for a mechanical, a crash, tactical error, food bonk, bad weather, not being in top form, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Again, not doubting the talent, but he's not actually WON a stage race. So perhaps drop that moniker until he does it. AC earned his designation of the best stage racer by actually winning.

As for who is second, I don't know, maybe an in form Menchov. It very well may be Andy if he every pops his proverbial cherry. Until he does, though he just has potential. But I think until he fulfills his potential, folks overrate him with that particular designation IMO.

 

[jobiwan]

Actually some people have picked Andy Schleck to win the TDF this year. Why wouldn't they ? I don't think that is overrating him. Contador did not beat him convincingly last year but most people seemed to think Contador was below his best. This year Contador also has the Giro in his legs. This could be Schleck's best chance of beating Contador for the forseeable future. I have my doubts for the usual reason : time trialling.

If you want overrated how about Frank Schleck or Tony Martin. Considering how often, Frank is spoken about as a favourite in grand tours, I think he has underachieved. I would not include Wiggins because many seem to think he has achieved more than expected already with his fourth place in 2009 and the consensus is he won't repeat that result. Personally I would like to see Wiggins and Evans do well. Both riders cop more than their fair share of criticism.

I was talking about Sammy Sanchez

 

[Angliru]

Actually some people have picked Andy Schleck to win the TDF this year. Why wouldn't they ? I don't think that is overrating him. Contador did not beat him convincingly last year but most people seemed to think Contador was below his best. This year Contador also has the Giro in his legs. This could be Schleck's best chance of beating Contador for the forseeable future. I have my doubts for the usual reason : time trialling.

If you want overrated how about Frank Schleck or Tony Martin. Considering how often, Frank is spoken about as a favourite in grand tours, I think he has underachieved. I would not include Wiggins because many seem to think he has achieved more than expected already with his fourth place in 2009 and the consensus is he won't repeat that result. Personally I would like to see Wiggins and Evans do well. Both riders cop more than their fair share of criticism.

I don't think Frank Schleck is ever spoken about as a favorite with the exception of the 2009 Vuelta. In the Tour he is always listed as a "contender" which to me means he is in the running for a possible podium spot or a decent placing in the top ten. Even in 2008, Andy was being touted more highly than Frank, this based on Andy's Giro performance in 2007.

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

What stage race did he demonstrate his ability to win a stage race, and you know, actually win it? Every stage race, be it a GT or a week long stage race is winnable by one of the top riders but for a mechanical, a crash, tactical error, food bonk, bad weather, not being in top form, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Again, not doubting the talent, but he's not actually WON a stage race. So perhaps drop that moniker until he does it. AC earned his designation of the best stage racer by actually winning.

As for who is second, I don't know, maybe an in form Menchov. It very well may be Andy if he every pops his proverbial cherry. Until he does, though he just has potential. But I think until he fulfills his potential, folks overrate him with that particular designation IMO.

Simple answer. The Tour last year. He had time on Contador, and was well on his way to putting more time into him. AC was at least 5 seconds back and still had not responded when Schleck dropped the chain. He appeared to be making a move (not an attack as he said since he was already behind) And judging from the furious pace with which he chased AC up the mountain, he would not have let up, bonked, whatever. In all liklihood, Schleck would have put an additional second or two that would have made the difference in TT. He had that race won.

Is the same "in form Menchov" that finished nearly a minute behind Andy last year?

You also have to figure Andy isn't always chasing a win in races he enters. That might be what differentiates him and AC.