Who will be the next great French GC rider?

[flatclimb]

Looking at results of the 3 grand tours there has been a drought since the days of Jalabert, Fignon, and Hinault.

Who can step up for the French and be the next great GC rider?

 

[Jamsque]

Tom Danielson

 

[roundabout]

Pinot and Sicard are probably the most likely ones.

 

[jens_attacks]

no one.open this thread in 30 years and maybe then we can talk.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

I'd say Sicard, but I want to see how he does this year. He's the best they have
I'd like to see how he does in the Vuelta. - as that's the GT where most young guns start

 

[ingsve]

Ya, Sicard is perhaps a good bet especially if we are to believe Hinault in his criticism that the french riders are lazy and don't train hard enough. Being on a foreign team who have a better track record when it comes to GTs might be a better environment to succeed in.

 

[Rocksteady]

Define great. Are we talking a multi GT winner or a one time podium rider?

Le Mevel could get a podium if the stars align within his new team.

 

[bhilden]

It is really amazing to think that the French haven't won their home race since 1985. For one entire generation of French people, they haven't had a rider capable of winning the Tour. I don't think that is going to end any time soon.

 

[WonderLance]

You cant win the TDF unless you can speek american

 

[Mellow Velo]

Who knows, perhaps someone will try to make a case for BMC's new French tour guide?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/moinard-sets-new-ambitions-with-bmc

 

[Nastyy]

Coppel, Sicard, Geniez, Pinot or Le Bon. Pinot and Geniez will atleast make for excellent climbers if not GC riders.

 

[The Hitch]

Hes not going to win the Tour but John Gadret is underated. I can see him getting in to top 10, maybe doing a CVV, Wiggins, JVDB type top 5.

Sicard hopefully.

 

[profff]

great gt rider does not mean a winner
pinot and sicard are great talent , especially the first
it is difficult to say in which way he will develop , but also le bon has talent.
i hope pinot, cycling needs a great french gt rider

 

[profff]

Hes not going to win the Tour but John Gadret is underated. I can see him getting in to top 10, maybe doing a CVV, Wiggins, JVDB type top 5.

Sicard hopefully.

you overrate a lot gadret.
at that level, roelland has more chance to do an exploit, once in a while

 

[flatclimb]

Define great. Are we talking a multi GT winner or a one time podium rider?

Le Mevel could get a podium if the stars align within his new team.

Great being a rider that attracts a lot of attention, winning big one day races, cracking top 10 potentially being on the podium in TDF.

There's a lot of those who say the French are lazy but don't a lot of great riders also come from great programs? Those who are young can come up with the guidance of coaches and gain experience quickly.

You would think it would be a major priority for France to have great riders.

 

[will10]

Gadret is rubbish over 3 weeks, so inconsistant, can string a few days together but always has at least one awful day and is a poor timetriallist also.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Gadret is rubbish over 3 weeks, so inconsistant, can string a few days together but always has at least one awful day and is a poor timetriallist also.

I don't know, he was pretty impressive in the Giro last year.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Who knows, perhaps someone will try to make a case for BMC's new French tour guide?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/moinard-sets-new-ambitions-with-bmc

Pick me! Pick me!

The guy is a strong climber, 14th at the tour, 18th at la vuelta. Not saying he will be France's next gc rider but he is a strong rider!

 

[Anonymous]

not been born yet.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Audrey Cordon

 

[Bike Boy]

I'm always amused by this discussion. Sure there's a few promising talents, as mentioned earlier in the thread. and yes Sicard could very well develope into something great but we all now it aint gonna happen.
He will succumb to the pressure soon enough.

 

[El Pistolero]

Philippe Gilbert if the situation in Belgium escalates.

Lol, sucks to be French.

 

[flatclimb]

I'm always amused by this discussion. Sure there's a few promising talents, as mentioned earlier in the thread. and yes Sicard could very well develope into something great but we all now it aint gonna happen.
He will succumb to the pressure soon enough.

+1 on Sicard

You mentioned pressure. Why do you think so?

The weight of an entire country?

 

[Izzy eviel]

Who's the best French rider at the moment?

 

[royalpig180]

I'd definitely put my money on Romain Sicard. Thing is, Euskaltel has kept him on a pretty tight leash (smart move) so we cannot really be sure yet. I'm looking forward to seeing big things from him in the future, but like I said it's too soon to say if he's the next big French GC talent. For now, Roche is improving in leaps and bounds, but his TTing is far too weak for him to ever be a serious contender.