Top 10 All Rounders

Clemson Cycling
Clemson Cycling Posts: 49
edited February 2011 in Pro race
Who do you guys feel are the top ten all around riders right now

Here is my list
1. Alberto Contador- Astana
2. Levi Leipheimer- Astana
3. Alejandro Valverde- Caisse d'Epargne-if he can make it through his doping scandal
4. Denis Menchov- Rabobank
5. Luis León Sánchez- Caisse d'Epargne
6. Cadel Evans- Silence-Lotto
7. Carlos Sastre- Cervelo
8. Fränk Schleck- Team CSC
9. Kim Kirchen- Columbia
10. Andreas Klöden- Astana
«1

Comments

  • richard wants a baum
    richard wants a baum Posts: 744
    Not a fan of Cadel but how can you have him at 6 thwith Levi on 2nd ? and Menchov on 4th. Cadel does pretty well at the hilly classics. He also goes pretty deep into the season with Giro di Lombardia which his always up there. Levi does what win the ToC every year :? :wink: I would have Cadel ahead of those two, not to say id have him 2nd.
    Take care of the luxuries and the necessites will take care of themselves.
  • Clemson Cycling
    Clemson Cycling Posts: 49
    Levi's won two of the biggest stage races this year and has been really quick in the time trials this year, and finished last year with an impressive run in the Vuelta. I think right now he has the best shot at the tour for a rider not name Alberto. Sastre has been riding really bad this year, I don't know what is up there. Cadel really only has one big stage race win, for as successful as he has been.
  • csp
    csp Posts: 777
    If you define allrounder as one who does well on different kinds of races I would say Sylvain Chavanel is good.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Your list is predominantly GT riders who 'might' do well in a 1-day classic - only Valverde and Sanchez have actually won 1-day races of any note, so your 'all-rounder' moniker is somewhat false - in fact the lack of aggression from the majority of these riders would probably make them 'the most boring riders'. Damiano Cunego would head my list - GT winner who has won a classic.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    What Monty said.

    Cunego is also one of the most exciting riders to watch in the current peloton.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • micron
    micron Posts: 1,843
    Agreed, Cunego is a true all rounder. And Chavanel deserves to be there, especially after his Classics and P-N rides. You can hardly call Contador an all rounder when he never rides the Classics and won't reappear now until June.

    With all due respect to Leipheimer - ToC and CeL are hardly the 'two biggest stage races of the year'. P-N and T-A would have a lot to say about that assessment :wink:
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    10 All Rounders?
    Only 3 of that list for me.
    Valverde
    Schleck
    Kirchen....though dodgy cred, in both senses.

    Cunego
    Devolder
    Samu Sanchez
    Di Luca

    That's about it, for me, unless I forgotten someone. All the above have won 1+ classic and placed well or won a GT.

    If you included TTing, the list is no list. Maybe Samu?

    I hate to say it, but of the rest, Cadel is the most likely to get elevated to all rounder status.
    2nd to Kirchen in the "Arrow". Could he go one better in the next fortnight?
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,908
    odd list these guys have no all round credentials at all

    Alberto Contador- Astana
    Levi Leipheimer- Astana
    Denis Menchov- Rabobank
    Cadel Evans- Silence-Lotto
    Carlos Sastre- Cervelo
    Andreas Klöden- Astana

    I think you mean best stage race riders (which implies all round capability in the eyes of some)
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,908
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    10 All Rounders?

    Cunego
    Devolder
    Samu Sanchez
    Di Luca



    still waiting for devolder to do something in a stage race
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    mididoctors wrote:
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    10 All Rounders?

    Cunego
    Devolder
    Samu Sanchez
    Di Luca



    still waiting for devolder to do something in a stage race


    .... That isn't the Tour of Belgium
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • moray_gub
    moray_gub Posts: 3,328
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    What Monty said.

    Cunego is also one of the most exciting riders to watch in the current peloton.

    Yep agree with that i am a big fan of the Little Prince, i think if he dropped this idea that he can win GTs outright i think he would win more hilly classics and hilly stage wins in the GTs.
    Gasping - but somehow still alive !
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,908
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    mididoctors wrote:
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    10 All Rounders?

    Cunego
    Devolder
    Samu Sanchez
    Di Luca



    still waiting for devolder to do something in a stage race


    .... That isn't the Tour of Belgium

    :wink:
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • moray_gub
    moray_gub Posts: 3,328
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    mididoctors wrote:
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    10 All Rounders?

    Cunego
    Devolder
    Samu Sanchez
    Di Luca



    still waiting for devolder to do something in a stage race


    .... That isn't the Tour of Belgium

    Also if Devolder has won Flanders twice through some great riding but primarily due to tactical circumstances and who he rides for if he rode for Lotto then he wouldnt have won it on those occasions imo. That might seema bit harsh on Devolder but he has benefited greatly from the Tom Boonnen factor.
    Gasping - but somehow still alive !
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    Devolder definitely merits being in that list; yes, his GT classements are not that impressive, but he climbs well on a good day, and there's nothing wrong with his TT. And he's the only one able to combine some GC abilities with the cobbles.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    Admittedly, Devolder only scrapes in, with his GT credentials. One decent Vuelta an almost Tour of Switzerland and an OK Tour.......until the mountains.

    In this age of "specialising", the plain fact is, there are virtually no great all-rounders.
    Cunego and Di Luca come the closest as long as you don't mention the word "trialing". :wink:

    Contador has the potential to be the best all-rounder, but Bruyneel will never let him.

    I suppose the other rider, not yet mentioned would be Basso.
    Mr 2nd place in his one day years. Certainly could take the LBL , but wont.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,908
    FJS wrote:
    Devolder definitely merits being in that list; yes, his GT classements are not that impressive, but he climbs well on a good day, and there's nothing wrong with his TT. And he's the only one able to combine some GC abilities with the cobbles.

    hmmmm nnnnuhhhhhmmmmmmmmm

    ok granted (just) but he is on borrowed time as far as GC potential goes in my book
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • bobtbuilder
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    What about Andy Shleck? Already finished 2nd at the Giro at a very young age, and has also finished 4th at L-B-L.

    How about Cancellara? Time trial beast, and winner of two very different Classics.

    You have to laugh at the inclusion of Leipheimer on an "all rounders" list! Does he even turn up to the Classics?
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,908
    bobtbuilder wrote:

    How about Cancellara? Time trial beast, and winner of two very different Classics.

    I wouldn't put him in that cat.... however Tirreno-Adriatico > tour of Belgium
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • eh
    eh Posts: 4,854
    Top 2: Cunago and Di Luca

    A bit behind: Valverde and Samuel Sanchez


    IMO I think Kloden could have been one of the best riders of his generation, but he just doesn't ever seem to be bothered until his contract is nearly up ,then puts in a decent TDF ride. Oh well his life and choice I suppose.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    The only people who can climb, time-trial and sprint are Valverde and Kirchen

    DiLuca and Cunego get reasonably close
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • sing_for_absolution
    sing_for_absolution Posts: 1,908
    Shouldn't this thread be top 10 Grand Tour riders? I thought an all-rounder was someone who can climb hills decently, but also sprint amongst the specialists as well as ride the cobbles? I'm thinking Bettini, Pozzato, Gilbert etc.
  • afx237vi
    afx237vi Posts: 12,630
    1. Cunego
    2. Valverde
    3. Di Luca
    4. Frank Schleck
    5. Ballan
  • teagar
    teagar Posts: 2,100
    Ballan :? ?

    Not sure about that one.
    Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.
  • Clemson Cycling
    Clemson Cycling Posts: 49
    Sorry I went with the wikipedia classification of Rider

    There is All-Rounder- GC contenders (climbers, and ITT)
    Riders- 1 day threats
    Sprinters- beat you to the line
    Climbers- we they can go uphill
  • dave_1
    dave_1 Posts: 9,512
    cunego's GC performances at GTs were half a decade ago...he is a one day man it seems

    Contador would be if he would ride Liege and Fleche, Amstel...he'd win one , no? I'd say he is the best and by far IF he would ride the classics and Lombardy. Bruyneel is the prob
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKBacb2V ... ata_player
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    Clemson Cycling wrote:
    Sorry I went with the wikipedia classification of Rider

    There is All-Rounder- GC contenders (climbers, and ITT)
    Riders- 1 day threats
    Sprinters- beat you to the line
    Climbers- we they can go uphill
    Well, as we know, wikipedia is written and edited by people like you and me, and you and me can be wrong. In this case wikipedia is wrong, or at least uses an ambiguous term. As the entry states itself being a GC contender depends pretty much on how well you climb and time trial, not how fast your sprint is, how you are going over the cobbles, and whether you've mastered classics tactics. And manage to produce results in other months than July.
  • afx237vi
    afx237vi Posts: 12,630
    teagar wrote:
    Ballan :? ?

    Not sure about that one.

    A world champion who is great on cobbles and can also win high-mountain stages in grand tours. His TT is a bit lacking, fair enough.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    Didn't Ballan win that Vuelta MTF from a break? In which case, he wasn't hanging with the climbing contenders.

    Not an all-rounder in my book.

    CC's list is a GT list of prime suspects. Not much to argue about there.

    Someone who can climb and time trial im a three week race.
    Hey! What about Michael Rasmussen? :shock: :roll:
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • DaveyL
    DaveyL Posts: 5,167
    Freddie Flintoff
    Le Blaireau (1)
  • ms_tree
    ms_tree Posts: 1,405
    Definitely Cunego and I would add Valverde as someone who is better at classics than GTs. Also Chavenel (Sylv) . Bettini was great - will miss him at Liege this year. Not sure about Shelck Major. Think LL Sanchez is an exciting prospect.
    'Google can bring back a hundred thousand answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.'
    Neil Gaiman

Categories