Best TdF domestique?

Kloden was the best "backup" team leader, at least for the GC. However, I think that a domestiques' main goal is to help the team leader achieve whatever goal that is...in which case "best" becomes even muddier. The Fassa Bartolo team is very good at getting Pettachi to the right sprinting position. USPS, on the other hand, time and again has gotten Lance Armstrong on the podium.

benson said:

Who's the best TdF domestique? Would it be the best rider in a subordinate role (Vino, Kloden) or a rider who is best able to ride a plan for the leader (Landis, Hincapie)?

A mix of both maybe? I'd go with the first type, a rider who can finish at a good place on the GC. Someone like Heras who lead Lance on La Mongie in 2002. And, in the same year when Azevedo (who then rode for ONCE) helped drop Lance's teammates on the climb of Mont Ventoux. Azevedo did even better this year and finished 5th overall.

Btw, hey, first post here. Nice forum.

benson said:

Who's the best TdF domestique? Would it be the best rider in a subordinate role (Vino, Kloden) or a rider who is best able to ride a plan for the leader (Landis, Hincapie)?

Of today's riders, I would say that Hincapie is hard to beat as he is strong on both the flats and for most of the mountain stages. He is also very good in the team time trial. Definitely one of the most underrated riders.

Because of the UCI points system, there are probably less domestiques today. Sean Yates was a fantastic domestique in 1980's and 1990's. Merckx's domestique, Jos Bruyere was also very highly thought of.

Here are some contenders that spring to mind......

Sean Yates
Floyd Landis
Jean-Francois Bernard (at Banesto)
Melchor Mauri
Michael Rogers
Vjatchelsav Ekimov
Neil Stephens
Gian-Matteo Fagnini (at Saeco for Cipollini)