Peter Sagan (Cannondale)

The rouleur’s rouleur, Slovakian national champion Peter Sagan enjoyed another year to remember. Having delivered Cannondale team-mate Moreno Moser to victory in the early-season Strade Bianche, he then enjoyed an outstanding classics campaign – second at Milan San Remo, E3 Harelbeke and the Ronde, either side of winning Gent-Wevelgem. He took his form into the hilly Classics too, earning a slightly disappointing 12th at La Fleche Wallone, before turning attention to his Tour de France preparation. It speaks volumes for Sagan’s ability that he starts among favourites on the cobbles and during Ardennes Week.

His all-round ability, coupled with a mean sprint and gritty determination marked him as favourite to defend the Tour de France green jersey he won in 2012. The Slovak star never looked like relinquishing it, and while pure sprinters like Mark Cavendish and Marcel Kittel took the lion’s share of the bunch sprints, Sagan was always at the sharp end – finishing second in four stages and third in a further two. He came into his own on the punchy stage seven parcours too, and while his main sprinting rivals all found themselves languishing in the grupetto, Sagan sprinted to stage victory. Having also won the GP de Montreal and finished sixth at the Worlds, he finished the year ranked fourth in the world – ahead of Giro d’Italia champion Vincenzo Nibali.