Who are your favorite current pro tour riders and why?

[panicfc]

Okay here is my list:

1) Tom Boonen - I like the bigger riders, who can finish with a bit of flash. Seems like a nice guy, plus I like the Belgians on the whole. They give everything for cycling. His only negative was the cocaine issue, and that's a big neg - but can be over come.

2) Dave Zabriskie - he's funny, has potential, but he's one of the few riders I truly believe is riding clean. His old website description of the "taint" was very funny.

3) Big Phil Gilbert - best when pronounced like he's an American instead of Belgian. The guy just works his butt off, tries to win everything and never really does. He mocked Cadel Evans and I think that's funny.

Brief interlude:

http://assets.comics.com/dyn/str_strip/000000000/00000000/0000000/200000/80000/0000/700/280713/280713.full.gif

4) Jens Voight - the guy is a worker. Seems like a classy guy.

5) Daniele Bennati - up and coming, and mostly already here sprinter.

6) Sylvain Chavenel - guy seems primed for a good year.

[aveslacker]

Just saw this (I have this bad habit of only checking subscribed links) and have to chime in.

1) Chris VanDeVelde - the lead GC rider for my favorite team.
2) George Hincapie - the cursed one
3) Tyler Farrar - a bit of an underdog when it comes to sprinting compared to Cavendish, but he's one of the few people to beat him this year.
4) Cancellara - Really liked the way he took his unfortunate failure at Flanders. Picked up his chain, hung it around his neck, posed for pictures with some fans and walked down the Koppenberg.
5) Lance.

[Gorando]

My 5 favorites

1) Phillipe Gilbert: Seems to finish in the top 10 in every race he rides in, always attacking giving max effort. He's still young, with more experience he will rack up a bunch of wins. Also a very likeable guy, always friendly in interviews and even speaks Dutch.

2) Tom Boonen: I don't care that he likes to sniff some coke. Great rider, a real winner. One of the most talented riders ever.

3) Flecha: never wins something, but he tries so damn hard lol. One of the few spaniards who likes the Flemish classics.

4) Freire: This guy is too damn cool.

5) Rob Mc Ewen: Awesome guy all around. Amazing sprinter in his prime.

[aveslacker]

My 5 favorites



3) Flecha: never wins something, but he tries so damn hard lol. One of the few spaniards who likes the Flemish classics.


Totally on board with this one. I really like Flecha's spirit. There's a great quote of his that describes why he likes the cobbled races so much. The town in Argentina where he grew up had cobbled streets and as a boy he dreamed of riding on them.

This is where everything began, and when I say everything I mean my love for the "pavé." Strange, isn't it? I lived at 248 Lebensohn Street, a cobbled street, and every time I went out cycling, whether for training or transportation, I had to ride a good stretch of these stones. Furthermore, the bedroom in which my sister Emilia and I slept was at the front of the house, and my bed, of course, was the one right beside the window. So I could hear the unmistakable sound of the passing cars, I could hear the cobbles even when I was sleeping, I could hear them in my dreams.

[panicfc]

That's a great quote from Flecha. Very cool.

Stijn Devolder moves up into my top 6.

Its just fun to say his name.

[cjump]

Christian Vande Velde- the guy is finally getting credit and is an outstanding rider who walked in lance's shadows for too many years. Arguably the best American rider currently.
DZ- 'nough said.
Big George- a Carolina native with the utmost loyalty to his team leader. Class act who never can catch a bit of luck in the spring classics.
Jen Voigt- The definition of a super domestique. amazing rider who needs more credit.
Andy Schleck- the next big thing. Great talent and seems to have a humble personality. Probably the first guy i look for in the stage results. he and his brother will rule the world soon.
Mark Cavendish- his arrogance and talent make him super fun to watch.

favorite teams- Garmin and Columbia (go america!)

[Belgian guy]

Stijn Devolder. Always attacks, yet a very humble guy. Personality-wise there is a huge contrast with team mate Boonen.

[Dead Fingers]

Stijn Devolder. Always attacks, yet a very humble guy. Personality-wise there is a huge contrast with team mate Boonen.

I wholeheartedly agree.

I am not sure I have a top ten list, but there are people I do like to watch and see how they develop over time...same with teams.

I am interested to see how some Garmin (though I prefer Columbia) guys develop.

I want to see the Dutchman Martijn Maaskant do a bit better during the Spring Classics...AND how Garmin support him.

[panicfc]

I like the Garmin idea, I like Jon Vaughters, and also Columbia - but Garmin's kits look better.

;)

[Dead Fingers]

I like the Garmin idea, I like Jon Vaughters, and also Columbia - but Garmin's kits look better.

;)

This year they do, but that's because anything looks better than that horrible jersey. The blue Columbia ones from last season rock.

I like what Vaughters is doing as well.
-----

I think a couple people mentioned Phillipe Gilbert, who I like as well.

[panicfc]

This year they do, but that's because anything looks better than that horrible jersey. The blue Columbia ones from last season rock.

I like what Vaughters is doing as well.
-----

I think a couple people mentioned Phillipe Gilbert, who I like as well.


have to agree on last year's Columbia colored Columbia kits - very cool.


Big Phil Gilbert - one of my faves. He's a funny racer, just does some crazy stuff.

[aveslacker]

I wholeheartedly agree.

I am not sure I have a top ten list, but there are people I do like to watch and see how they develop over time...same with teams.

I am interested to see how some Garmin (though I prefer Columbia) guys develop.

I want to see the Dutchman Martijn Maaskant do a bit better during the Spring Classics...AND how Garmin support him.

If you look at the VS commentary of the Ronde, you can see that Maaskant is in every break and big move - the commentators just didn't really mention it. I like that guy a lot, and I think that Garmin have the coolest kits in the peloton this year. If they didn't cost $90 I would buy one.

I'm really bummed about the VdV injury. It's not like Garmin were riding for the GC in the Giro or anything, but it sucks to see them practically shut out during today's stage (with the impressive exception of Wiggins). I think they're saving their energy for stagehunting and helping Farrar win a few sprints this Giro.

Who knows, maybe if VdV isn't completely up to speed for the Tour, he'll skip it and focus on the Vuelta instead. The team can ride for DZ or Wiggins.

[Dead Fingers]

If you look at the VS commentary of the Ronde, you can see that Maaskant is in every break and big move - the commentators just didn't really mention it. I like that guy a lot, and I think that Garmin have the coolest kits in the peloton this year. If they didn't cost $90 I would buy one.

True...and I even predicted that he would be the highest finishing Dutchman in Flanders.:p I was thinking more of P-R.


I'm really bummed about the VdV injury. It's not like Garmin were riding for the GC in the Giro or anything, but it sucks to see them practically shut out during today's stage (with the impressive exception of Wiggins).

I'm still bummed by his fall at last year's TDF. :(:p

[cjump]

I like that guy a lot, and I think that Garmin have the coolest kits in the peloton this year. If they didn't cost $90 I would buy one.


they don't...
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=c8551
and the employee price is even better! i have a few Garmins in my closet. one from last year and two from this year. thats the only pro team kit i will ride in with the exception of Columbia.

[panicfc]

Good find.

You work for Garmin or Probikekit?

[cjump]

no. i work at a shop that sells pearl izumi and garmin products. i have no business connections with any of those companies. just love the product and team. (shame about CVV)

[panicfc]

you work at a shop - might need to talk to you about opening a shop. Would that be okay?

[cjump]

sure..... to pm's

[panicfc]

Okay here is my list:



3) Big Phil Gilbert - best when pronounced like he's an American instead of Belgian. The guy just works his butt off, tries to win everything and never really does. He mocked Cadel Evans and I think that's funny.

Brief interlude:

http://assets.comics.com/dyn/str_strip/000000000/00000000/0000000/200000/80000/0000/700/280713/280713.full.gif.

STAGE WINNER!

Big Phil!!!

[HuntKop]

I'm totally new to the game here, but I thought I'd throw in the riders (so far) that are emerging as my favorites:

1. Ted King. This guy is funny, positive, and seems to be a good cyclist. Plus he rides for Cervélo, which is emerging as my favorite team (philosophy, etc.), and rode for Bissel, which is my favorite domestic team.

2. Levi Leipheimer. Good rider, good guy (seems like).

3. Ivan Basso. I know, I know. But I'm rooting for him to come back clean, and strong. We'll see.