Who is the most talented rider of the XXI century?

[Angliru]

When I think "talented", I picture a young guy coming onto the scene, like he was born to race a bike. That, to me is talent. Nothing to do with record: Evans doesn't qualify. More of a blue collar, hard work pays off. I would argue that his first attack was at the WC and he turned around, surprised, and kept going. Not a "natural" IMO. Not Eddy or Hinault, or LeMond, or some who didn't quite fulfill their huge potential, yet had HUGE talent: Fons De Wolf, Frank VDB...

Yes his hard work paid off, but many points support the idea that Evans was one heck of a talented bike rider. You just have to look at the 2005 TDF with all the convicted dopers ahead of him to realise that.

I don't think anyone is disputing that Evans was a talented rider, that was exhibited early in his career when he went into the final week of the Giro wearing the leaders jersey only to lose it in specatcular fashion. As far as his being any different than the riders you reference in the 2005 TdF, well I think you may be a bit naive in your hopes about Evans.

 

[markene2]

In my opinion i would say Valverde, no question.

In terms of profesionalism and being a 100% dedicated to the sport, then i would say Rebellin no doubt.

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

If we are talking talent not skill or results what about Andy Schleck? He's been up there with the best while also accused of mental weakness and lack of dedication.

 

[ray j willings]

If we are talking talent not skill or results what about Andy Schleck? He's been up there with the best while also accused of mental weakness and lack of dedication.

Schleck obviously had something. He was crap at going downhill and nearly as bad a bike handler as Wiggo.
On form and flying he was a super climber as good as it gets. He never really reached the peak's he could have. If he looked at the long term goal he could have worked harder on his ITT and worked on his descending and bike handling skills. Such a tragedy that he had to retire so early.

 

[Dramaturgia]

In terms of climbing skills and recovery none other than Andy Schleck. Lautaret 2011 as an example.

 

[ItalianJoe]

Armstrong and Ullrich. How quickly people forget.... Both were exceptional talents, especially Ullrich. With Armstrong, it was difficult to judge his talent, but he was clearly the best performer in a field of riders who had access to all the same unfair advantages. I don't think any rider since them has had the same all around talent.

Seriously, people, leaving them out is like saying Pete Rose was no good at baseball.

 

[greenedge]

When I think "talented", I picture a young guy coming onto the scene, like he was born to race a bike. That, to me is talent. Nothing to do with record: Evans doesn't qualify. More of a blue collar, hard work pays off. I would argue that his first attack was at the WC and he turned around, surprised, and kept going. Not a "natural" IMO. Not Eddy or Hinault, or LeMond, or some who didn't quite fulfill their huge potential, yet had HUGE talent: Fons De Wolf, Frank VDB...

Yes his hard work paid off, but many points support the idea that Evans was one heck of a talented bike rider. You just have to look at the 2005 TDF with all the convicted dopers ahead of him to realise that.

I don't think anyone is disputing that Evans was a talented rider, that was exhibited early in his career when he went into the final week of the Giro wearing the leaders jersey only to lose it in specatcular fashion. As far as his being any different than the riders you reference in the 2005 TdF, well I think you may be a bit naive in your hopes about Evans.

Your'e probably right, but I can hope. And my point was that everyone else was a convicted doper- for now nothing proves Evans doped.

 

[Escarabajo]

Re:

Armstrong and Ullrich. How quickly people forget.... Both were exceptional talents, especially Ullrich. With Armstrong, it was difficult to judge his talent, but he was clearly the best performer in a field of riders who had access to all the same unfair advantages. I don't think any rider since them has had the same all around talent.

Seriously, people, leaving them out is like saying Pete Rose was no good at baseball.

When Armstrong did not have all that help from Ferrari in the 90's he was a very regular rider. Sometimes a regular for the Gruppeto. Not the same with Ullrich.

 

[chiocciolis_calves]

Re:

Armstrong and Ullrich. How quickly people forget.... Both were exceptional talents, especially Ullrich. With Armstrong, it was difficult to judge his talent, but he was clearly the best performer in a field of riders who had access to all the same unfair advantages. I don't think any rider since them has had the same all around talent.

Seriously, people, leaving them out is like saying Pete Rose was no good at baseball.

Depends on how you define "talent." If it's merely, "Who has the biggest engine," you may be correct.

Ullrich was a poor descender/bike handler, didn't have much of a sprint and didn't have any innate tactical sense. For me, someone who has a talent specifically for cycling has numbers one and three.

 

[cellardoor]

I feel that talent is bursting onto the scene and winning at an early age and looking like you're going to dominate the sport for the next decade in your particular domain. In this respect, Boonen for me is the obvious choice.

 

[Fernandez]

What rider in the world can fight for the win in almost every kind of race all year long? What rider in the world has 6 medals in world championships? What rider in the world can climb, timetrial, sprint, descent, etc., as well as almost everyone? And what rider in the world is more well looking on a bike than Alejandro Valverde? One of the most talented riders in history of clycling.

 

[LaFlorecita]

What rider in the world can fight for the win in almost every kind of race all year long? What rider in the world has 6 medals in world championships? What rider in the world can climb, timetrial, sprint, descent, etc., as well as almost everyone? And what rider in the world is more well looking on a bike than Alejandro Valverde? One of the most talented riders in history of clycling.

He can do many things at a decent level but excels in almost nothing.

 

[Mr.White]

What rider in the world can fight for the win in almost every kind of race all year long? What rider in the world has 6 medals in world championships? What rider in the world can climb, timetrial, sprint, descent, etc., as well as almost everyone? And what rider in the world is more well looking on a bike than Alejandro Valverde? One of the most talented riders in history of clycling.

He can do many things at a decent level but excels in almost nothing.

You really don't like him, do you? He can do many things at top level and certainly is one of the most talented riders of XXI century, if not the most talented one. Only Boonen is close to him, and maybe Kwiatkowski of the younger generation, but he has prove himself in coming years.

 

[LaFlorecita]

What rider in the world can fight for the win in almost every kind of race all year long? What rider in the world has 6 medals in world championships? What rider in the world can climb, timetrial, sprint, descent, etc., as well as almost everyone? And what rider in the world is more well looking on a bike than Alejandro Valverde? One of the most talented riders in history of clycling.

He can do many things at a decent level but excels in almost nothing.

You really don't like him, do you? He can do many things at top level and certainly is one of the most talented riders of XXI century, if not the most talented one. Only Boonen is close to him, and maybe Kwiatkowski of the younger generation, but he has prove himself in coming years.

Tell me then, where does Valverde rank among the sprinters? TTers? Climbers? Descenders? Because Fernandez' post reads as if Valverde is one of the top 5 sprinters, TTers, climbers and descenders which is obviously not true.
About him being the most talented rider: that is, as has been stated many times, a subjective question. For me, the most talented rider doesn't have to be the most versatile.

 

[Mr.White]

What rider in the world can fight for the win in almost every kind of race all year long? What rider in the world has 6 medals in world championships? What rider in the world can climb, timetrial, sprint, descent, etc., as well as almost everyone? And what rider in the world is more well looking on a bike than Alejandro Valverde? One of the most talented riders in history of clycling.

He can do many things at a decent level but excels in almost nothing.

You really don't like him, do you? He can do many things at top level and certainly is one of the most talented riders of XXI century, if not the most talented one. Only Boonen is close to him, and maybe Kwiatkowski of the younger generation, but he has prove himself in coming years.

Tell me then, where does Valverde rank among the sprinters? TTers? Climbers? Descenders? Because Fernandez' post reads as if Valverde is one of the top 5 sprinters, TTers, climbers and descenders which is obviously not true.
About him being the most talented rider: that is, as has been stated many times, a subjective question. For me, the most talented rider doesn't have to be the most versatile.

Well he is top 5 among climbers and descenders for sure. His sprint is outstanding, especially for a light rider, he's maybe in top 20-30 which is great for a climber. In fact he's one of the fastest climbers of all-time. He is top sprinter among the climbers, and top climber among the fast guys. His TT, not so great when flat and long, but in middle length TT, especially hilly he is top class. He's also top class in prologues. In one-day races he's one of the very best, which is a rare thing for a GT contender and winner, especially nowadays. And versatility IS TALENT.

 

[Jspear]

What rider in the world can fight for the win in almost every kind of race all year long? What rider in the world has 6 medals in world championships? What rider in the world can climb, timetrial, sprint, descent, etc., as well as almost everyone? And what rider in the world is more well looking on a bike than Alejandro Valverde? One of the most talented riders in history of clycling.

He can do many things at a decent level but excels in almost nothing.

You really don't like him, do you? He can do many things at top level and certainly is one of the most talented riders of XXI century, if not the most talented one. Only Boonen is close to him, and maybe Kwiatkowski of the younger generation, but he has prove himself in coming years.

Tell me then, where does Valverde rank among the sprinters? TTers? Climbers? Descenders? Because Fernandez' post reads as if Valverde is one of the top 5 sprinters, TTers, climbers and descenders which is obviously not true.
About him being the most talented rider: that is, as has been stated many times, a subjective question. For me, the most talented rider doesn't have to be the most versatile.

Well he is top 5 among climbers and descenders for sure. His sprint is outstanding, especially for a light rider, he's maybe in top 20-30 which is great for a climber. In fact he's one of the fastest climbers of all-time. He is top sprinter among the climbers, and top climber among the fast guys. His TT, not so great when flat and long, but in middle length TT, especially hilly he is top class. He's also top class in prologues. In one-day races he's one of the very best, which is a rare thing for a GT contender and winner, especially nowadays. And versatility IS TALENT.

I don't think he is amongst the top 5 climbers. He sits right outside of that category. AC, Froome, Quintana, Nibbes, Pinot, Peraud, and probably even Aru are all better climbers than him.

Also Flo wasn't denying that versatility is talent. All she said was "For me, the most talented rider doesn't have to be the most versatile." And she is right versatility (while it is one measure of talent) is not the only measure of talent...definitely a subjective question because there is multiple genres of talent.

 

[LaFlorecita]

He's a top 5 climber on a good day, when the course suits him (single-climb stage etc). Top 5 descender? No way. Top class in middle length hilly TTs? Has he ever won let alone podiumed such a TT? Everything taken into account, I'll be generous and say a top 5 climber. Top 30 sprinter, top 30 TTer, top 15 descender.

Versatility is talent? I'd rather say: versatility is a talent. Tony Martin is an extremely talented TTer. In other disciplines he is not as great. Does that mean he is not a talented cyclist? Please.

For the record, Valverde would be on my list of most talented cyclists. However, I think it's downright ridiculous to say he is one of the best cyclists in every discipline, which is what Fernandez posted.

 

[Gigs_98]

I think Cancellara

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

He's a top 5 climber on a good day, when the course suits him (single-climb stage etc). Top 5 descender? No way. Top class in middle length hilly TTs? Has he ever won let alone podiumed such a TT? Everything taken into account, I'll be generous and say a top 5 climber. Top 30 sprinter, top 30 TTer, top 15 descender.

Versatility is talent? I'd rather say: versatility is a talent. Tony Martin is an extremely talented TTer. In other disciplines he is not as great. Does that mean he is not a talented cyclist? Please.

For the record, Valverde would be on my list of most talented cyclists. However, I think it's downright ridiculous to say he is one of the best cyclists in every discipline, which is what Fernandez posted.

I stand by my statement, can't see those 15 better than him.

I remember a couple of TT's he had won, Dauphine 08, Murcia 08 where he beat Contador, and a couple of ones he podiumed, in Pais Vasco and Vuelta.

He is of course, but he is one-dimensional. Versatility gives you variety, and you can target and be a contender in a wider range of races, which brings us to Valverde's I would say unique talent. no other rider has a similar skillset and can contend in such wide range of races.

And for the record I agree that Fernandez exaggerated a bit.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

He's a top 5 climber on a good day, when the course suits him (single-climb stage etc). Top 5 descender? No way. Top class in middle length hilly TTs? Has he ever won let alone podiumed such a TT? Everything taken into account, I'll be generous and say a top 5 climber. Top 30 sprinter, top 30 TTer, top 15 descender.

Versatility is talent? I'd rather say: versatility is a talent. Tony Martin is an extremely talented TTer. In other disciplines he is not as great. Does that mean he is not a talented cyclist? Please.

For the record, Valverde would be on my list of most talented cyclists. However, I think it's downright ridiculous to say he is one of the best cyclists in every discipline, which is what Fernandez posted.

I stand by my statement, can't see those 15 better than him.

I remember a couple of TT's he had won, Dauphine 08, Murcia 08 where he beat Contador, and a couple of ones he podiumed, in Pais Vasco and Vuelta.

He is of course, but he is one-dimensional. Versatility gives you variety, and you can target and be a contender in a wider range of races, which brings us to Valverde's I would say unique talent. no other rider has a similar skillset and can contend in such wide range of races.

And for the record I agree that Fernandez exaggerated a bit.

You can't see 15 better descenders? Seriously? Plenty of classics riders and sprinters are great descenders. Valverde might be good but I doubt he is "excellent".

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

He's a top 5 climber on a good day, when the course suits him (single-climb stage etc). Top 5 descender? No way. Top class in middle length hilly TTs? Has he ever won let alone podiumed such a TT? Everything taken into account, I'll be generous and say a top 5 climber. Top 30 sprinter, top 30 TTer, top 15 descender.

Versatility is talent? I'd rather say: versatility is a talent. Tony Martin is an extremely talented TTer. In other disciplines he is not as great. Does that mean he is not a talented cyclist? Please.

For the record, Valverde would be on my list of most talented cyclists. However, I think it's downright ridiculous to say he is one of the best cyclists in every discipline, which is what Fernandez posted.

I stand by my statement, can't see those 15 better than him.

I remember a couple of TT's he had won, Dauphine 08, Murcia 08 where he beat Contador, and a couple of ones he podiumed, in Pais Vasco and Vuelta.

He is of course, but he is one-dimensional. Versatility gives you variety, and you can target and be a contender in a wider range of races, which brings us to Valverde's I would say unique talent. no other rider has a similar skillset and can contend in such wide range of races.

And for the record I agree that Fernandez exaggerated a bit.

You can't see 15 better descenders? Seriously? Plenty of classics riders and sprinters are great descenders. Valverde might be good but I doubt he is "excellent".

I can't really. He was good always, but after his comeback he become a real master. Maybe you're right about sprinters but we rarely have an opportunity to watch them in key descents

 

[Fernandez]

I just would say that denie that Valverde is a tremendous gifted rider its just hate to him. The guy can win in almost every terrain, all year long, for the past 10 or 12 years. Which rider you can relate that has been more consistent than Valverde in the last decade? Oh please, he is the rider with more medals in worlds in history plus two top tens. It means 8 top tens in worlds. Six podiums in Vuelta de España including one victory. His worst result in Vuelta is a fifth!!!!!! Four top tens in Tour de France. Three times UCI Pro Tour number one. Stages everywhere. One week races. A miriad of victories and podiums in classics. He is 34 or 35 and still winning like he was 25. Riders like Valverde should be studied in cycling academies and being cloned when they retire.

 

[Tonton]

Re:

I just would say that denie that Valverde is a tremendous gifted rider its just hate to him. The guy can win in almost every terrain, all year long, for the past 10 or 12 years. Which rider you can relate that has been more consistent than Valverde in the last decade? Oh please, he is the rider with more medals in worlds in history plus two top tens. It means 8 top tens in worlds. Six podiums in Vuelta de España including one victory. His worst result in Vuelta is a fifth!!!!!! Four top tens in Tour de France. Three times UCI Pro Tour number one. Stages everywhere. One week races. A miriad of victories and podiums in classics. He is 34 or 35 and still winning like he was 25. Riders like Valverde should be studied in cycling academies and being cloned when they retire.

The highlighted would start a great thread in The Clinic

Valverde is hugely talented. How talented? Asterisks...

BTW, to make it to the pros, all riders have to be talented. So I'm a bit surprised when I see the reactions to my take on Cuddles. He is talented. But is, or who are the MOST talented is the question. I don't think that wins say it all. Some of the biggest talents have somewhat underachieved. I like to take Fons De Wolf, back in the early '80s as an example. Ooops. that's not the 21st century.

Lots of Berto, Piti, some Schlecks, where is Froome in the discussion BTW? Interesting...

And of course,there's always the Vino option

 

[Miburo]

Valverde is a straight up beast.

He's made of a special caliber unlike anyone. That's at least what i think of him.

He performs at a really really good level every season. He never has meh moments in any race, he's always there and in very different races aswell. No one else can say that.

His nickname during his junior races says it all.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

I just would say that denie that Valverde is a tremendous gifted rider its just hate to him. The guy can win in almost every terrain, all year long, for the past 10 or 12 years. Which rider you can relate that has been more consistent than Valverde in the last decade? Oh please, he is the rider with more medals in worlds in history plus two top tens. It means 8 top tens in worlds. Six podiums in Vuelta de España including one victory. His worst result in Vuelta is a fifth!!!!!! Four top tens in Tour de France. Three times UCI Pro Tour number one. Stages everywhere. One week races. A miriad of victories and podiums in classics. He is 34 or 35 and still winning like he was 25. Riders like Valverde should be studied in cycling academies and being cloned when they retire.

No one is denying he is a gifted rider, however it is downright ridiculous to say he is one of the best sprinters and TTers in the peloton. As for his results, I'll just say winning big races is definitely NOT one of his talents. So many top 5's, so little wins. In that regard he can definitely learn a thing or two from other riders