Originally Posted by flyingheel

Roche is a good pick, but also C. Boardman who won GP Eddy Merckx, plus stages of Midi Libre and Dauphine (presumably TTs) in his first year.

Also consider Abdujaparov as a neo-pro who won Ghent Wevelgem, 2 stages of le Tour and the points jersey, several stages of smaller stage races (Vuelta a Murcia, Catalunya, etc) and some smaller minor Italian classics riding for Carrera.