Runner 1

Just wondering if there's a website or something that lists the top time trialists, in order, in the US or world.

Thanks

rogwilco

Well, it depends on the type of course (hilly/flat, straight/tricky, short/long, etc) and what form they're in. To get a feel, check out the top10 in the Olmpic TT, World Championship TT and the TTs in TdF, Giro and Vuelta.

I would say if everybody "peaked" top 5 could be

1 Fabian Cancellara
2 Tony Martin
3 David Millar
4 Alberto Contador
5 Gustav Larsson

Maybe Contador could be higher if that was his primary goal.

Namenda

1. F. Cancellara
2. T. Martin
3. everybody else

Stefan Schumacher was an excellent time trialist prior to his ban, and could be again, as he's still relatively young. Contador always seem to put in a top effort which, combined with his climbing ability, is why he's so dominant in GT's. Dave Zabriskie was a world-class TT'er, but seems to be off the pace a bit now. David Millar is strong, but a little inconsistent at times.

For a definitive list, do as rogwilco said, and check the latest Olympic results, or the UCI World Champ results from the last few years. The names are fairly consistent.

Keith99

I guess one could count it as course or form, but I'd add the setting, E.g. part of a stage race or stand alone. Doing a TT with a weeks rest before and after is far different than between 2 other stages one of which always seems to be a hard mountian stage.

OrionKhan

If AC does not end up getting banned and he doesn't ride the Vuelta, I'd love to see him at the ITT world championships. Would be very interesting to see where he comes out.

colombo357

You guys forgot Lance Armstrong, best cyclist the world has ever seen!

Most of you silly kids probably don't remember him, but he was dominant way back in 1999 through 2005.

Keith99

Yea, and most of us also remember some obsure Belgian that has more Major Tour wins than anyone, more wins in the 5 monuments than anyone, is tied for the most world championships and broke the hour record.

Lance was a one trick pony. He never won 2 Major tours in one year, he never won multiple Jerseys in a single Tour, he never won any of the monuments.

Lance is not even close to breaking into the top 3 of all time.

There is an active rider who just might.

harlond

Heckuva trick, though. I can't see him in the top two, but the argument that he's third is not unreasonable.

OrionKhan

Most of us believe the OP meant current riders. If not, I'd put Big Mig in before Lance.

colombo357

True, but Lance is the wealthiest rider of all time. Money is EVERYTHING.

Thulsadoom

please God, make it stop...

Kayce

There is also Zabriskie and Wiggins to add to the list

caloso

I think the obscure Belgian might be wealthier than Lance too.

collegeskier

I doubt that and certainly when they finished racing Lance had him beat. That obscure Belgian was still showing up at fairs to make money.

collegeskier

Mick Rogers. Not turning them in like he used to but certainly has to be on the list.

Keith99

Money isn't everything. And Fausto got the woman in white.

Keith99

If Lance had not won his one worlds anyone knowing cycling history would also. Anyone who knows the placing of that race and the other results for that year would know why.

Keith99

I don't think most of us are capable of reading the 'best cyclist the world has ever seen!' as refering only to current riders.

Keith99

One can make such an argument, especially if one weighs the TDF as being twice as important as any other race.

But I have trouble putting him ahead of a rider with 10 Grand tour wins who is also one of only 3 riders to win all three and also the worlds and Paris Roubaix. Or putting him ahead of the first rider who won the Tour and Giro (which was considered impossible by most until he did it) and still and likely forever the only rider ever to win both the GC and KOM in the Tour and Giro in the same year.

On pure numbers the second of those riders often falls 4th or 5th all time, but considering he lost 4-5 years out of the heart of his career through no fault of his own makes using pure numbers seem a bit unfair.

USAZorro

How did we jump from talking about top time trialists, to top all-around riders?

While Lance did focus on the TdF to the exclusion of almost all else, he was often considered the guy to beat in the ITT's during the Tour. At his best, I would rate his TT ability a little bit ahead of what I've seen from Contador so far. If we're talking about current riders, Wiggins definitely slots into the top 5.

Wheater

Spartacus. Everyone else is racing for 2nd.

SouthFLpix

Fabian Cancellara is the most consistent. Then you have a 2nd tier of guys like Tony Martin, Dave Zabriskie, and Bradly Wiggins (and a host of others) who can win on days when they are 'in the zone'.

In addition to those guys, there is another group of guys who do well when the time trial is hilly. I would put Contador in this category.

OrionKhan

Huh? What does Lance winning the road world championship have to do with the OP's question about top time trialists?

Yes, I know LA won and Indurain was second to LA that year. Note that Indurain won the Giro/Tour double that year and the year prior. The following year Indurain won the world ITT title and broke the hour record. He won an ITT in the TdF by over 3 minutes one year. Big Mig also won gold in the ITT in the Olympics.

So what does your point about Lance winning the world road race championship over Big Mig have to do with individual time trial rankings?

Keith99

Conversations and threads move. The topic had drifted. Learn to deal with it.

DMF 

+1

Anyone recall an ITT up Alpe d'Huez? Anyone recall who won it?