The point I am trying to make is this current period is unusual. In the past, there have been periods where one rider, such as Hinault, was so much better than the rest that they won pretty much won every stage race they entered (barring injury/illness).Originally Posted by Witton Park
"The cycling greats won grant tours and classics. That's why Coppi, Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault, Fignon and now Pogačar are talked about so highly. Whilst Pidcock clearly has some class, he's some way behind the top five currently active grant tour contenders"
If it's a comeback at what I said I've actually only identified potential in Pidcock. I can see he's clearly behind the top five, but he's never prepped seriously, and with the will and application he could be a contender by 2025 as he seems to have fewer miles on the clock than most.
If I've done you a disservice, I apologise
There were other periods when there was no outstanding talent, and it was wide open (I'm thinking of 2011 after Bradley Wiggins crashed out).
The current time is not like either of these. For the first time in around 50 years we have three truly great grand tour winners all competing at the same time, and they are 23,24 and 26 years old. Talented as Pidcock is, it's going to be very hard for him (or anyone else for that matter) to beat these three.
In years to come this will be seen as a golden age for stage racing; enjoy what you're seeing now, as it could be another 50 years before we get an era this good again.
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