2008 Cycling Lowlights: Most Boring Rider, Denis Menchov

Denis Menchov has been the stage race leader of the Rabobank team over the last few seasons, but you wouldn't know it. Rarely riding at the front in races and never a good interview, Menchov is cycling's great unseen hope, a virtual phantom throughout the season. And considering that he has two grand tour wins to his credit, it is hard to believe he is able to maintain such an anonymous status in the cycling world.

Menchov is an immensely talented rider, capable of staying with the best climbers in the world in the mountains and the best time trialists in the race of truth. His steady, even demeanor serves him well in stage races, and he rarely panics. It is this even-keeled approach to the sport that can make him appear so boring.

Menchov, like rival Cadel Evans, is a conservative rider. He would rather follow wheels and limit his losses than attack wildly in hopes of opening up a significant gap. He is satisfied to merely follow until he has to attack. Then, and only then will the Russian take his chance at victory. This tactic worked well for him at the Vuelta in past years, but not at the Tour de France. In France, there are so many hungry competitors that one can't win the Tour merely riding defensively. Menchov was a solid fourth (now third) place at the Tour, but a grittier and bolder Carlos Sastre took his first Tour win behind a gutty performance on l'Alpe d'Huez. Hopefully, Menchov will approach 2009 with a bit more grit. If he does, he'll be one of the favorites for the Tour overall this season, and a far lee boring rider.