Shortlist for 2013 cyclist of the year

It's December: The Christmas tree is up, the countdown to the arrival of Santa is on, cheesy festive tunes are pumping out of the radio, the early winter snow fall is already melting due to a brief warm spell but hopes are high it will return before the big day because the worst spell of winter is still to come. And yet, professional cyclists across the globe are already back training with their attentions fully tuned on 2014. No rest for the wicked, especially those wanting to build on their successes of 2013.

With that in mind, and ahead of a review of the year article I hope to find time for between bouts of Christmas shopping, I've drawn up a shortlist of the best ten riders of 2013. There are some who (if they actually read this) might feel aggrieved at being left out, but I couldn't find a better ten and, after much deliberation and hair pulling, I will pick a winner come that year end review. So here we go (in alphabetical order!)…



Fabian Cancellara: Skipped the Tour and focused on the spring classics winning the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, finishing third at Milan-San Remo. Took an individual time-trial stage win at the Vuelta and also won the E3 Harelbeke.

Rui Costa: Won the Tour of Switzerland, then went to the Tour de France and won two stages. Capped off a great season by winning the World Road Championships in Florence in terrible conditions much like in one of those Tour stages.

Chris Froome: Became the first African born rider to win the Tour de France, doing so by almost five minutes, and took three stage wins along the way. Also won the early season stage races of Oman, Critérium International, Tour de Romandie, and Critérium du Dauphiné.

Chris Horner: Won the Vuelta a Espana (including two stage wins) aged 42, yes FORTY-TWO!! Enough said.

Marcel Kittel: Took four stage wins at the Tour de France, knocking Mark Cavendish off his throne as reigning Spring King. In all Kittle won 15 races on the season.

Dan Martin: First at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a stage win at the Tour de France, and first overall at the Volta a Catalunya, including a stage victory.

Vincenzo Nibali: Won the Giro d’Italia, including two stage victories, came second overall at the Vuelta, won at Tirreno–Adriatico, and was forth at the Worlds after a brilliant effort following a late crash.

Nairo Quintana: Won the Tour de France King of the Mountains title including second overall in GC and took a stage victory, all in his first go. Won the overall classifications at the Tour of the Basque Country and Vuelta a Burgos.

Joaquim Rodriguez: Finished the season as the UCI's number one ranked cyclist. Won the Giro di Lombardia, Was 2nd at the World Championships and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, third overall at the Tour de France, and forth overall in the Vuelta (including a stage win).

Peter Sagan: First in Gent-Wevelgem and Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal (in front of me!), stage win at Tour de France and Green jersey winner, four stage wins at USA Pro Challenge, three stage wins at Tour of Alberta, two stage wins at Tours of Switzerland, California, Oman and Tirreno-Adriatico, and second at Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders and Strade Bianche.