"Gobsmackingly Brilliant" rides of 2000Erik Zabel---- Erik Zabel's spring campaign. A sprinter who has transformed himself into an exceptional Classics rider. By the time the spring World Cup races were done, I don't think anyone in the peloton thought they had any chance of winning the World Cup from Zabel. Jon Lested ---- Zabel - World cup victory + green jersey = STUD ---- I was there at the finish line when Eric Zabel took his stage at the Tour Down Under after a long break with Massimiliano Mori. They came in together, and right in front of me, with 50 meters to go, Z stepped on it and Mori just blew out a breath in frustrated admiration. After a brief salute Zabel wheeled around and gave Mori a big high five. I thought it was the classiest gesture I've ever seen in sport. John Yerxa ---- Zabel's 6-day results. This is impressive because of the incredible
season he had to date, from Tour Down Under stage win to World Cup with
A Green Jersey in there for good luck. In a sense this is a vote for
the whole package, of which the 6-day results are just to finishing
touch. Dan Connelly ---- Zabel's April. The man's incredible preparation was visible the entire
month. His ability to suffer over terrain that, in the past, has not
suited him well was remarkable. Particularly at Amstel Gold and the
Ronde: John M. Foster ---- Last but certainly not least: Erik Zabel. He was simply the most consistent
and thus best rider this season. A cycling season runs from January
until November, and no one did as good as he did during that period.
Wins in Milano-San Remo and the Amstel Gold, 4th in Vlaanderen and 3rd
in Roubaix tells that he had a formidable early season. Winning his
fifth consecutive (!!!) green jersey was perhaps even better, and yes,
this time he did win a stage. By the way, Romans Vainsteins is a good
second in this category and his world title a justified finish of a
great and consistent season. Ivo Habets, ---- And don't forget Zabel who rode strong all over the year. Alexander Vogt ---- The man of the year is Erik Zabel. He booked 19 (in words: nineteen!)
UCI wins, including 2 WC races, the overall World Cup, and a stage of
the TdF. Don't forget the green jersey for the fifth time in a row.
Winning races from January (Tour Down Under stage) to November (Six
Days in Dortmund) is absolutely gobsmackingly brilliant ! Michael Kubis ---- Always at front: Erik Zabel Jonas Coertjens ---- Zabel - The Powerhouse in nearly every bunch gallop Mark Windsor ---- |