Tony Martin and the others of the new generation

iainf72

Cuddly Bob is talking him up as the next Ullrich. He's strong but it will be interesting to see how he develops in the mountains. I'm shocked to say it, but he's a rider I really like even though he's on *spit* Columbia *spit*

I'm also becoming a big fan of Roman Kreuziger. He looks ace on the bike and is very very strong. Definately will win a grand tour. And Basso echoed those thoughts today, even though Roman upset him with some of his remarks.

There's obviously Edvald BH too but who else do we think will be placing high in the future GT's? (aside from Andy Schleck)

That Saxo chap who comes from mountain biking?

andyp

Fuglsang? He looks very promising. It'll be interesting to see what he does in the Vuelta this year.

I don't know if Edvald BH is cut out for GTs, he strikes me as more of a classics rider, he has a burst of speed that will serve him well there.

I think Gesink will be a GT winner in the future, he can climb well and his timetrialling is improving. I think he was 6th overall in the Vuelta last year?

Nibali has a lot of fans in Italy but I have my doubts, he doesn't seem very adept at reading races.

Kléber

Yes, Martin's got it all going for him. He's helping Cavendish but doing the work of two riders. And yes, Kreuziger seems very strong, he rides like someone with a lot of experience.

As for the others, don't forget Gesink. Stapleton's got Lovkquist too. Seeldryers is one to watch, white jersey in Paris-Nice and the Giro I think. There are the Brits like Kennaugh but that's perhaps too early to say, Dan Martin has shown some promising moments, watch out for him in the Vuelta. Caisse have a young rider called Jeannesson and Astana DS Alain Gallopin's son Tony is meant to be good.

In general a rider can be promising from an early age but if they are really on course to become a champion they start to collect placings and wins within a year or two of turning pro.

frenchfighter

Tony Martin escaped my gaze although his performance in the TdS made me look into his performances and they are very impressive:

2008.
2nd Tour of Poland.
1st Tour of Germany stage 8 (TT)
1st Tour de l'Ain stage 3 (TT)
3rd Saschen Tour
1st Ster Elektrotoer stage 1 (TT)
128th Giro!

2009
1st Paris-Nice mountains classification
1st Crit Int. stage 3 (TT)
1st Tour de Romandie stage 3 (TTT)
1st Bayern Rundfahrt stage 4 (TT)
1st Tour de Suisse stage 8 (Crans-Montana)
2nd overall Tour de Suisse
1st Tour de Suisse mountains classification

Pro since 2005.

By the looks of things he can TT very well and is good in the mountains - great GC potential.

afx237vi

What about Rigoberto Uran? He seems to have been around for a long time already, but is still only 22 (currently the youngest rider in the Tour).

Some impressive results for such a young guy:

2009

5th, Tour de Romandie

2008

2nd, Vuelta a Catalunya
3rd, Giro di Lombardia

2007

9th, Tour de Suisse, plus a stage win
1st, stage of the Euskal Bizikleta

Currently riding for Caisse d'Epargne, which I think is a good fit for a rider with his characteristics.

secretsqirrel

Lars 'Sonic' Boom

Valentin Iglinskiy

frenchfighter

Martins was right up there today.

Feillu was very impressive and he may well be top-draw material in the future. He is almost as skinny as Wiggins.