Originally Posted by brent_dube

Well, a lot of sprinters are less of a cyclist than the rest. All they can do is perform a huge sprint after cruising in the peloton for a while. They get nailed on basically ANY other type of racing. Including races as flat as Milan-San Remo.
Though all sprinters vary, and they aren't all like that. Zabel, for example, has shown in the past some very versatile skills.



You know, he did win a few other events besides the Tour. Numerous stage races. And he also raced before 1999, and won quite a few one-day events.
Unless you consider 'spotty at best' to mean 'regularily reach the podium of the most prestigious races in April'.