Who is the second best sprinter?

[insideout leadout]

C'mon man. No way Greipel can beat Cav in a straight flat finish.

So if Cav wins 5 and Greipel takes 2 that would make Greipel a better sprinter? (And i was kind with that 2 wins...)

I don't think The Hitch suggested that Greipel was a better sprinter, only that he could beat him. After all it only takes one beating for your statement to fall.

 

[benpounder]

Some will argue otherwise, but it seems fairly clear who the best sprinter is these days. But who is second best?

(This is about who is the best in a bunch sprint, with equivalent team mates. Not who can get over the mountains best or go well on the cobbles).

Much is made about grand tour teams built around a GC rider. It is the same for sprinters. The Saeco and Aqua-Sapone teams built around Cipo were a pleasure to watch because of how well they managed the peloton in the closing kms and impressive as all getout how fast they were going when Cipo was finally launched. While we dont have a team so myopically focused this decade, HTC recognizes that Cav is bankable. Consequently, they have spent the money to get the talent necessary to put Cav in the position to win , and with consistancy. Yet other than last years MSR, I dont remember a race he won on his own.

Because of this, it is hard to say who the second best is (on an individual basis) because I'm not sure Cav is in fact the best. Several years ago, I would have argued that McEwen was the best, even though Boonen, Hushovd, Petacchi and others were regularly winning. McEwen won races without a dedicated team.

As such, I would agree that the team of Columbia-HighRoad riding in support of Cavendish has the best sprinter, but all things being equal, Farrar is probably just as good.

(a side note, I was quite impressed with Mark's ITT performance yesterday.)

 

[pedaling squares]

That was hard to answer. I chose Farrar. No doubt he has the speed, but does he have the consistency? Injuries aside, he and his train just don't seem to click as often as they should. Pettachi might not have the same top gear any longer but he has the savoir faire. The Pettachi of 7 years ago would get my vote, no question. Greipel? Hard to say, we haven't seen him line up against the top dogs all that often. This poll highlights how very few pure sprinters are in their prime right now.

 

[usedtobefast]

whoever is behind Cav...the man you love to hate. i have to say his bunny-hop
is one of the best bike racing moments i have seen
kind of sucks to go up against him when he is on.
Farrar is good. Ale-jet is my favorite

 

[Midnite]

I believe Tyler Farrar is the 2nd best, even if he isn't he sure is the one with the biggest potential to rival Mark, well, at least for me.

 

[Scirea]

Much is made about grand tour teams built around a GC rider. It is the same for sprinters. The Saeco and Aqua-Sapone teams built around Cipo were a pleasure to watch because of how well they managed the peloton in the closing kms and impressive as all getout how fast they were going when Cipo was finally launched. While we dont have a team so myopically focused this decade, HTC recognizes that Cav is bankable. Consequently, they have spent the money to get the talent necessary to put Cav in the position to win , and with consistancy. Yet other than last years MSR, I dont remember a race he won on his own.

Because of this, it is hard to say who the second best is (on an individual basis) because I'm not sure Cav is in fact the best. Several years ago, I would have argued that McEwen was the best, even though Boonen, Hushovd, Petacchi and others were regularly winning. McEwen won races without a dedicated team.

As such, I would agree that the team of Columbia-HighRoad riding in support of Cavendish has the best sprinter, but all things being equal, Farrar is probably just as good.

(a side note, I was quite impressed with Mark's ITT performance yesterday.)

Farrar has great team support too. Millar, Zabriskie, Dean, Robbie Hunter, Murillo Fisher...

 

[Zoncolan]

Ale Jet by a country mile

 

[auscyclefan94]

petacchi is past his best so I would go griepel but griepel seems to lose his leadout train in sprints which you can't afford to do when going up against the likes of Cav, peta and farrar. I can't wait to see Griepel go head to head with cav at the giro and/or the tour.

 

[benpounder]

Farrar has great team support too. Millar, Zabriskie, Dean, Robbie Hunter, Murillo Fisher...

Please note, I admit that Farrar could have great support. I just have not seen the team ride a full race with the intention of thrusting Tyler across the finish line first - as HTC does for Cav.

 

[Jancouver]

I would vote for Peter Sagan but he was left out for whatever reason so my vote goes to Greipel.

My top 5.

1. Cav
2. Sagan
3. Greipel
4. Farrar
5. Petacchi

 

[Ferminal]

I would vote for Peter Sagan but he was left out for whatever reason so my vote goes to Greipel.

Probably something to do with the fact that he's yet to win a genuine bunch sprint.

 

[Jancouver]

Probably something to do with the fact that he's yet to win a genuine bunch sprint.

True, well, if he is doing the Tour next year, he can be the next Hushovd and challenge the green jersey for sure. He is my dark horse for the WC too

 

[taiwan]

I went Petacchi, I just feel he measures up best against Cav.

Best up and coming sprinter? Goss Is really, really good.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Petacchi, Farrar 3rd. You can't really compare Greipel to the others just yet.

However, I think that JJ Haedo is really fast but he's so inconsistant because he is really bad at positioning himself and doesn't have a train.

Hutarovich is fast too but the same can be said for him as for Haedo.

Up and comming? Well there are a lot of interesting sprinters ranging from Goss to Cardoso and Galimzyanov to even younger ones like Matthews and Degenkolb. Obviously not sprinters able to compete with Cavendish but they sure have some promise.

 

[Ferminal]

True, well, if he is doing the Tour next year, he can be the next Hushovd and challenge the green jersey for sure. He is my dark horse for the WC too

For sure, a good chance for the WC, especially with the mighty Velits pulling for him.

 

[The Hitch]

So if Cav wins 5 and Greipel takes 2 that would make Greipel a better sprinter? (And i was kind with that 2 wins...)

I don't think The Hitch suggested that Greipel was a better sprinter, only that he could beat him. After all it only takes one beating for your statement to fall.

One of these posts demonstrates common sence. One of them doesnt.

 

[El Pistolero]

1. Cavendish
2. Farrar
3. Petacchi(can chance next season in favour of Greipel)
4. Greipel (^)
5. Boonen( haven't lost faith in him even though he had a crappy season.)

 

[sublimit]

Tyler doesnt seem to have the form at the moment, maybe he's starting to feel the long season but when he's on it he beats Greiple easily.

Greiple tends to come through quite late but the top line sprinters that he tends to avoid racing against will jump him and hang on. Beating Hendo is one thing but Cav, Tyler, Pettaci, JJ Haedo are far quicker.

 

[Jux1893]

I would like to say Manuel Cardoso, but at this moment it's probably Farrar.

However, I believe it changes through out the season. In January Cav wouldn't be in the top 5.

 

[The Hitch]

However, I believe it changes through out the season. In January Cav wouldn't be in the top 5.

Under this logic Peter Velits is the best time trialer in the world, Joaquim Rodriguez is the greatest climber in the world and Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck are weak domestiques at best.

 

[insideout leadout]

But it is somewhat true though....throw in Contador tomorrow and see where he ends up. But to be fair I think everyone should be judged after their best form and not their current form.

 

[El Pistolero]

Under this logic Peter Velits is the best time trialer in the world, Joaquim Rodriguez is the greatest climber in the world and Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck are weak domestiques at best.

No, Alberto Contador is a lazy bum under this logic.

 

[Archibald]

I went Petacchi, I just feel he measures up best against Cav.

Best up and coming sprinter? Goss Is really, really good.

pt.1 - and based on performances this year in the tours

pt.2 - most definately, but may get limited chances being behind C(h)av in the pecking order at HTC... but keep an eye on Swifty

 

[nobilis]

I'd like to see how Greipel does against the big guns before commenting on him. Farrar looks best for second but he's not far ahead of the rest.

edit: severe lack of Freire.

I would also add JJ Rojas, Ventoso and Koldo Fernandez.

Among the promising sprinters, I see Sasha Modolo shining the coming seasons.

 

[Jux1893]

Under this logic Peter Velits is the best time trialer in the world, Joaquim Rodriguez is the greatest climber in the world and Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck are weak domestiques at best.

True, but you can look at it a number of ways. If you look at it without the train, It's not that obvious that Cav is the best sprinter, since there is a lot of teamwork in his wins. A lot more than in Greipel, Hutarovich, Freire or Robbie Mc wins.

At top form for him and the team, I would still say Farrar.