Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quickstep)

French time trial champion Sylvain Chavanel enjoyed a successful year in 2013. Kickstarted by victory on stage six at Paris-Nice – which helped him top the points classification – Chavanel then finished fourth in the snow-disrupted Milan-San Remo before consistent rides on the cobbles. A sixth place at E3-Harelbeke was complemented by top 20 finishes at Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.

Chavanel also emphasised his ability against the clock with an impressivefifth national time trial title, while his overall victory at the Three Days of De Panne came courtesy of a storming time trial victory on the final day. Chavanel also won the individual time trial at the Eneco Tour on his way to sixth overall, helped Omega Pharma-Quickstep to world team time trial victory, and finished third at the Chrono des Nations to cap an impressive year.