Cycling’s Finest: Comparing the Palmarès of Today’s Elite Riders, remco evenepoel, tadej pogačar, mathieu van der poel… who has the best palmares in the modern peloton?
Cycling’s Finest: Comparing the Palmarès of Today’s Elite Riders
In the ever-evolving world of professional cycling, three riders have recently distinguished themselves with extraordinary achievements: Remco Evenepoel, Tadej Pogačar, and Mathieu van der Poel.
Their accomplishments underscore not only their current dominance but also their unique contributions to the sport. Here’s a detailed look at their palmarès and how they stack up against each other.
Remco Evenepoel: A Rising Star with Historic Achievements
At just 24 years old, Remco Evenepoel has already carved out a remarkable career. His historic double gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games—winning both the time trial
He has secured podium finishes in the 2024 Tour de France and claimed eight stage wins across Grand Tours. His victories in Liège-Bastogne-Liège (2022 and 2023) and three wins in the Clásica de San Sebastián further solidify his impressive record.
Tadej Pogačar: Dominance in Grand Tours and Classics
Tadej Pogačar’s 2024 season stands out as one of the most prolific in recent memory. He clinched both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France, each with six stage wins, showcasing his versatility and endurance. Additionally, Pogačar won the Volta a Catalunya and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. His career highlights include four Grand Tour victories (three Tours de France and one Giro d’Italia), six monuments (including three Il Lombardia and two Liège-Bastogne-Liège), and numerous stage wins in Grand Tours. His consistent podium finishes across all seven Grand Tours he has entered further underline his status as a formidable competitor.
Mathieu van der Poel: A Classic Specialist and Cyclocross Legend
Mathieu van der Poel is a powerhouse in the classics and cyclocross. Although not a general classification contender, his prowess in one-day races is unmatched.
Van der Poel boasts six monuments, including Milan-San Remo, two Paris-Roubaix, and three Tour of Flanders, sharing the latter’s record with cycling legends. His world championships in both road racing and cyclocross, where he has won six titles, position him as one of the greatest in his discipline. His achievements in cyclocross, where he trails only Belgian Eric De Vlaeminck in world titles, add a unique dimension to his career.
Other Notable Contenders
Beyond these three, several other cyclists deserve mention for their remarkable achievements:
– **Jonas Vingegaard**: The Danish rider has two Tour de France wins and four podiums in Grand Tours. He has also triumphed in major one-week races such as Itzulia del País Vasco, Critérium du Dauphiné, and Tirreno-Adriatico.
– **Wout van Aert**: Known for his versatility, Van Aert has nine stage wins in the Tour de France, as well as victories in E3 Saxo Classic, Ghent-Wevelgem, Amstel Gold Race, and Strade Bianche. His cyclocross achievements include three world titles, where he has competed closely with van der Poel.
– **Primož Roglič**: Although past his prime, Roglič remains a formidable figure. He has won the Vuelta a España three times and the Giro d’Italia once. His stage victories and triumphs in major one-week races are significant, including Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice. His gold medal in the Tokyo 2021 Olympic time trial adds to his impressive resume.
– **Chris Froome**: The Briton, although no longer at the peak of his career, still holds the record for the most Grand Tour victories (seven) and is the most successful Tour de France rider with four wins. His legacy includes two Vuelta a España wins and one Giro d’Italia, along with numerous stage wins and other accolades.
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