Question Who is the third best GT rider?

[Peyroteo94]

Since we are in the silly season and this is one of the most controversial discussions here, who, do you think, is the third best GT rider right now?
Right now = if we started a GT tomorrow, who would be third behind Pogacar and Vingegaard?

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Evenepoel

 

[YavorD]

In a perfect conditions (meaning with a good preparation, avoiding crashes etc), Evenepoel.,

 

[Netserk]

 

[AmRacer]

In a perfect conditions (meaning with a good preparation, avoiding crashes etc), Evenepoel.,

Right now,

 

[Cookster15]

Remco, just like in the 2024 Tour. I think this year was an anomaly. But we know for sure in 2026.

I am not convinced in Del Toro yet, too much hype and too little data. He did show weakness in the Giro but on the other hand he is so young. But Del Toro still has it all to prove.

I think Rogla is in early decline but still capable of a good performance when it matters - like 2023 Giro.

 

[Cycling111]

In a perfect conditions (meaning with a good preparation, avoiding crashes etc), Evenepoel.,

Yes, and no. Pogacar and Vingegaard have arrived at two Tours without the best conditions, and even if they didn't win the Tour, they were at the top and at most second.

Pogacar has been on the podium in all his GT races, like Merckx and Hinault, except for a few very rare occasions (first Giro and in the decadence).
Remco isn't even fighting for the podium in the Vuelta that Kuss won. That's unimaginable for the best GT riders.

Obviously, to win it, everyone has to be in good conditions, but even if they're not that good, they're always at the top.

For me, Remco is better in his best shape, but Almeida is the most consistent on that list. Remco will win more GTs than Almeida, and Almeida won't win any, but he will always have good GTs.

 

[YavorD]

Right now,

Yes, right now. Lipowitz is dropping time in every hilly stage, add the TT's and he is minutes behind Evenepoel. And Evenepoel in top shape isn't a worse climber.
Almeida has similar issues.
Roglic is on the way down IMO.


The issues with Evenepoel aren't abilities or top level, but availability (being able to avoid everything). That's why I said "in a perfect conditions".

 

[YavorD]

Remco isn't even fighting for the podium in the Vuelta that Kuss won. That's unimaginable for the best GT riders.

Almeida wasn't fighting for the podium in that Vuelta as well, so by that logic he isn't there yet?

Lipowitz was less than a minute ahead of Onley and Onley isn't even considered top 10, so it's not like we have a clear option ahead of Evenepoel, whos top level is really high.

 

[Cycling111]

Yes, right now. Lipowitz is dropping time in every hilly stage, add the TT's and he is minutes behind Evenepoel. And Evenepoel in top shape isn't a worse climber.
Almeida has similar issues.
Roglic is on the way down IMO.


The issues with Evenepoel aren't abilities or top level, but availability (being able to avoid everything). That's why I said "in a perfect conditions".

Remco's problem is that he could finish third or he could be irrelevant to the overall , as he did in the Vuelta 2023.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

All of them at their very best: Evenepoel
In a median GT (which I think is more relevant to the question): Almeida

 

[Cycling111]

Almeida wasn't fighting for the podium in that Vuelta as well, so by that logic he isn't there yet?

Lipowitz was less than a minute ahead of Onley and Onley isn't even considered top 10, so it's not like we have a clear option ahead of Evenepoel, whos top level is really high.

Remco lost half an hour in a stage... even though he was one of the favorites. I've already told you that, in my opinion, Almeida and Lipowitz are worse, but Almeida is consistent GT rider.

Remco is third or irrelevant; heseems to have no middle ground he's not a rider who has done four great consecutive GTs demonstrating consistency.

I would answer Remco, but if Del Toro or Seixas, or Lipowitz , take a step forward, it´s most likely that they will be the third one if they have the consistency that he lacks.

Remco is a third who raises questions, so the answer may be ambiguous. To win, yes, he's third, but to finish third more times, probably not.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Remco, just like in the 2024 Tour. I think this year was an anomaly. But we know for sure in 2026.

I am not convinced in Del Toro yet, too much hype and too little data. He did show weakness in the Giro but on the other hand he is so young. But Del Toro still has it all to prove.

I think Rogla is in early decline but still capable of a good performance when it matters - like 2023 Giro.

What about 2023?

 

[AmRacer]

Remco, just like in the 2024 Tour. I think this year was an anomaly. But we know for sure in 2026.

I am not convinced in Del Toro yet, too much hype and too little data. He did show weakness in the Giro but on the other hand he is so young. But Del Toro still has it all to prove.

I think Rogla is in early decline but still capable of a good performance when it matters - like 2023 Giro.

2024 was an anomaly.

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Roglic. Won a GT in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023 (robbed of a second), and 2024. Nearly beat Remco in 2022 despite crashing out of the Tour with broken vertebrae. He was right there with Remco in 2024 and his form was trending up. Crushed the opposition in 2025 Catalunya. The crash in the 2025 Giro, which was not his fault, ruined both his Giro and Tour results. Despite his prep being a horror show, he was better than Lipowitz on multiple mountain stages (and, of course worse in others).

Remco flopped in the 2021 Giro, won in 2022, flopped in 2023, got third 9.5 minutes behind in 2024 (trotted out as a heroic achievement of historical levels), flopped in 2024. Come on.

Peak Roglic beats peak Remco, average Roglic beats average Remco, poor Roglic beats poor Remco. Unless he crashes out.

 

[Peyroteo94]

2024 was an anomaly.

Remco has an up and down trajectory in GTs.

2021 - bad
2022 - good
2023 - bad
2024 - good
2025 - bad
2026 - ? (Probably good)

 

[Rockestar_33]

Rogla
Lipo
Remco
Almeida

 

[CyclistAbi]

I voted for Primož Roglič.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Would be interesting if the poll was about who is second best or the best GT rider. But lately we get polls with half the options missing and hence best to work with what you get.

I guess.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Would be interesting if the poll was about who is second best or the best GT rider. But lately we get polls with half the options missing and hence best to work with what you get.

I guess.

You must be joking. Tell me who is missing?

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Interesting list of riders. I wonder if any of them won a grand tour this year and if so did they win with a legendary raid on the biggest climb in the calendar?

 

[Netserk]

Interesting list of riders. I wonder if any of them won a grand tour this year and if so did they win with a legendary raid on the biggest climb in the calendar?

Does the MTT on Gallina count as a raid?

 

[CyclistAbi]

You must be joking. Tell me who is missing?

Two riders are missing that i would put behind Rogla. But OK, this time Rogla was at least included.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Hypothetically, if Rogličes GT season would went optimally, lets say Giro win and at minimum Tour podium was at play. In that case if Pogi would crash out of Tour or Jonas out of Vuelta. Would any of them take Rogličes place in this poll? If yes, then OK, if not, then i rest my case.

 

[Rockestar_33]

Hypothetically, if Rogličes GT season would went optimally, lets say Giro win and at minimum Tour podium was at play. In that case if Pogi would crash out of Tour or Jonas out of Vuelta. Would any of them take Rogličes place in this poll? If yes, then OK, if not, then i rest my case.

I love how much you love Rogla, but he's clearly behind the pair. He probably races the Tour in support of Lipo/Remco and then tackles the Vuelta to get to 5.