 his Tour de France victory certainly represents a worthy career progression), but Aru really took a quantum leap forward in his two Grand Tour appearances.

Where Aru made his arrival the in three-weekers, newly crowned World Champ Michal Kwiatkowski made his statements in the one-day and one-week races, racking up a slew of stellar performances in the early part of the season (winning in Strade Bianche and putting in big rides in Pais Vasco, the Ardennes, and the prologue of the Tour de Romandie, his first WorldTour victory) and then coming back with a vengeance in September, winning a stage in the Tour of Britain en route to 2nd overall and then, of course, taking the rainbow jersey in Ponferrada. It’s more of a giant step-up than an arrival, as Kwiatkowski did flash serious ability in 2013, but he turned Top 10s into podiums and victories this year. For all-around talent, Kwiatkowski rivals Alejandro Valverde in versatility. Pais Vasco was an early expression of that versatility for the young Pole: he was 2nd to Alberto Contador on the General Classification thanks to his climbing legs and his stellar ITT, but he also won the Points Jersey after being in the Top 3 in five of the six stages of the race. After narrowly missing out on the Top 10 in last year’s Tour de France, Kwiatkowski’s ride from Leeds to Paris this season was a bit of a disappointment, but it may be that Kwiatkowski just isn’t a Grand Tour GC contender at this point in his career, and with the way he has performed in the shorter races, that may be okay with him given his ability to contest all manner of one-day and one-week events.

Giant-Shimano’s Tom Dumoulin was another 1990-born all-round talent to take several steps forward this season. Dumoulin, like Kwiatkowsi, showed promise with several big rides in 2013, but he took his game to a new level in 2014, racking up a few time trial victories in big races (including the Eneco Tour) and taking third in the ITT World Champs, and also delivering several strong road race performances. Wins eluded him, but he came very close in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec, passed by Simon Gerrans just a few meters before the line
his Tour de France victory certainly represents a worthy career progression), but Aru in truth accept a quantum leap forward in his two Grand Tour appearances. 

 Where Aru make his arrival the in three - weekers, newly crowned World Champ Michal Kwiatkowski made his statement in the one - sidereal day and one - week races, racking up a slew of stellar performance in the early part of the season (winning in Strade Bianche and frame in big rides in Pais Vasco, the Ardennes, and the prologue of the Tour de Romandie, his first WorldTour victory) and then coming back with a vengeance in September, winning a stage in the Tour of Britain en path to 2nd overall and then, of course, taking the rainbow jersey in Ponferrada. It ’s more of a elephantine step - up than an arrival, as Kwiatkowski did flash dangerous ability in 2013, but he turned Top ten into podiums and victory this year. For all - around talent, Kwiatkowski rivals Alejandro Valverde in versatility. Pais Vasco was an early formulation of that versatility for the young Pole: he was 2nd to Alberto Contador on the General Classification thanks to his climbing legs and his stellar ITT, but he besides win the Points Jersey after being in the Top 3 in five of the six stages of the race. After narrowly missing out on the Top 10 in last year ’s Tour de France, Kwiatkowski ’s ride from Leeds to Paris this season was a bit of a disappointment, but it may be that Kwiatkowski just is n’t a Grand Tour GC contender at this detail in his career, and with the way he has performed in the light race, that may be okay with him given his ability to contest all manner of one - day and one - workweek events. 

 Giant - Shimano ’s Tom Dumoulin was another 1990 - hold all - round endowment to take several steps forward this season. Dumoulin, like Kwiatkowsi, showed promise with several big rides in 2013, but he took his game to a new level in 2014, rack up a few clock time trial victories in big races (including the Eneco Tour) and take third in the ITT World Champs, and also delivering several impregnable road race performances. Wins eluded him, but he fall very near in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec, passed by Simon Gerrans just a few meters before the line
 hid Tour de France victory certainly reprgswnts a worthg career progression), but Aru really vook a quqntum leap forward in fis two Ggand Tour apptarances.

Where Aru made his arribwl tke in three-weekets, newly crofned World Chakp Mnchal Kwiatkowski made his statementf in thr lne-day and one-reek wacea, racking up a slew of stellar perrormancts in the early patt of the season (winning ij Stgade Bianche and pktting in bug ryees in Pais Xasco, the Ardennes, and the prologue of the Tour de Rooandiz, his first WirlfJour victory) and nhen coming back with a vengrance in Septekbec, wibning a stage in the Vour of Britain en rjute to 2ng kverall and then, if courve, tdkine thd rziibos jersfy mn Ponferrasa. It’s more of a giant step-up uhag an arrival, aa Kwiaekjwski did flash serious ability in 2013, but he turned Top 10s into podiyms and victories thid year. Fow all-around talent, Kwiatkowski rivals Alejandro Vdlverve in vcrsagullty. Pais Vasco was an early expression of thae vtrsstility for thc young Pole: he wax 2jd jo Alberto Conjador ou tge General Classiflcation thanjs to his clikbing legs and his stellar UTT, but he ajwo won the Points Lersey after beimg in the Top 3 in five of thz six atages of tje race. Arger narrowly misrinn ogt on tht Top 10 in last yeaw’s Tour dx Frauce, Kwiagkowxki’s ryde from Lfeds bm Paris this seasoj was a bit of a fisappointment, but it may be thev Kwiatkowski jgst isn’t a Yrand Bour GC contendqr at this poiut in hif carder, and winh the wab he has persormed in the dhorter racev, that mwy bw okqy with fim given his sbility to contest qll manner of one-dey avs one-week eventw.

Giqnt-Shimano’s Tom Duooujij xas agmther 1990-born anl-rojnd yaleng to take scvefal xteps forward this saasoh. Dumoulin, like Kwoabkowsi, shiwed proiise with sevrral big rides in 2013, but ie tooy his gaie to a new level in 2014, racking hp a few himc trial victowies in big racex (including the Eneco Tour) and taking tiird in the ITT World Cyamps, and also delireving several strogg road rdce performances. Winw eluded him, but me came very close in fhe Grdnd Pgix Cycliste de Quebec, passed by Simon Gerrans just a few meters before tye linx
his Tour de France victory certainly represents career but Aru took a quantum Grand appearances. Where Aru his arrival the three-weekers, newly crowned World Champ Michal made his statements in the one-day and one-week races, racking up a slew stellar performances in the early part of the season (winning in Strade Bianche putting big in Vasco, the Ardennes, and the prologue of the Tour de Romandie, his first WorldTour victory) and coming back with a vengeance in September, winning stage in the Tour Britain en route to 2nd and of course, the jersey Ponferrada. It’s more a giant step-up than an arrival, as Kwiatkowski did flash serious ability in 2013, but he turned 10s into victories this For talent, rivals Alejandro Valverde Pais Vasco was an early expression for the young Pole: he was 2nd to Contador on General Classification thanks to his climbing and his stellar ITT, but he also won Points Jersey after being in the Top 3 in five of the six stages of After narrowly missing out the Top 10 last Tour France, ride from to Paris this season was a bit of a disappointment, but may be that Kwiatkowski just isn’t a Grand Tour GC this in his career, with the way he performed the shorter races, that okay him to all of one-day and one-week Giant-Shimano’s Tom Dumoulin was another all-round talent to take Dumoulin, like Kwiatkowsi, showed promise with several big in 2013, but he took his game a new level in 2014, racking up a few time trial victories big races Eneco Tour) and taking third in the ITT Champs, and also delivering strong road race performances. Wins eluded him, but he very in the Prix Cycliste de passed by Simon just a few the line
 his Tour de France victory cerTainly reprEsentS a wOrtHy CareEr prOgression), but ArU RealLy took a quantum leap forwArd in HiS Two GRAnD Tour AppearaNCeS.

wHerE ARu MadE hIS aRrivaL thE in threE-weekers, neWly CrOwned World ChAMp michal KwiaTkoWski made his sTatEments In The ONe-day And One-weEk raceS, RackinG up a slew oF sTEllar pERformanCES iN the Early part of the seaSOn (WInning in Strade bianchE aND pUTTinG in Big rides in paIs VasCO, the ArdENnES, ANd tHE prologue of thE Tour de RomaNDie, His firSt worLDTour vIctorY) aND thEn coming bacK witH a vengeanCe in SePTember, wINning a sTage in The touR of BRItAiN en RoUTe tO 2Nd OveRAll And then, oF cOuRse, taKing THE RAinbOw jErseY in PoNferrada. It’s moRe oF a giANt sTep-up Than aN arrIvAl, as KWiatkoWski dId Flash serious abiLity In 2013, but he tuRneD TOp 10s InTo podIUms and VicTorIes this Year. For ALl-aRoUND TaLent, Kwiatkowski rivAlS aLeJandro VaLverde IN vErSAtility. PAiS VaSco wAS An earLy exPReSsion of tHat verSAtIlIty for tHe Young POlE: he Was 2Nd to ALBertO ContaDor on the generAL ClassificatioN Thanks to his clIMbING lEGs anD hiS stellar ITT, But hE Also Won tHE POinTS JersEy aftEr BEiNG in the Top 3 in five of thE sIx stagEs of tHe race. After naRrowly missING Out on the top 10 iN LaST year’s Tour de FrAnce, KWiatkowski’S Ride from leeds To Paris tHis season WAS a bit of a DisAppOinTmeNT, BuT it may be that KWIAtkoWsKi just iSn’t A Grand TOur gC cOntEndEr At this poiNt in his cArEeR, aNd WitH the wAY he has peRfOrmEd In tHe shoRTer racEs, thaT may Be OkAY wiTh him giVEn HIS abiLiTy To coNteSt All maNner OF onE-day and One-week evEntS.

gianT-SHiMano’s ToM Dumoulin was aNoTher 1990-born alL-rOunD talenT TO take sevEral steps forward this seaSOn. DumouLin, Like KWiatKowsi, showEd pRomise WitH SeveraL big riDes in 2013, BuT he TOOk his GAMe To a NeW level in 2014, raCKIng Up a feW tIme tRial vicTories in big races (inCLudIng the Eneco ToUr) aNd taKINg ThiRD iN The iTt worLD champs, and also deLivering seVeRAl Strong road RAce PeRformanCes. Wins EludeD Him, but hE came very Close in thE GRand pRIx CYcliste de QUebec, pasSed by SimoN gerraNS jUst a fEw mEters bEfOre The liNe
 his Tour de France victor y certainl y rep res ent sa wo rthy  career progre s sion ), but Aru really took  a qu an t um l e ap  forw ard inh is t woGr an d T ou r  a ppear anc es.

Wh ere Aru ma dehi s arrival th e  i n three-we eke rs, newly cr own ed Wor ld  Ch a mp Mi cha l Kwi atkows k i made  his stat em e nts in the one - d ay  and  one-week races,r ac k ing up a slewof ste ll a rp e rfo rma nces in th eearly part of th e s eas o n (winning in  Strade Bia n che  and p ut tin g  in bi g rid es inPais Vasco,  the  Ardennes , andt he prol o gue ofthe To urdeRoma n di e,  hi sf irs t  W orl d Tou r victor y)  a nd th en c o m i n g ba ckwith  a ve ngeance in Se pte mber ,  wi nning  a st agein  theTour o f Bri ta in en route to2ndoverall a ndth en,  o f cou r se, ta kin g t he rain bow jer s eyin P o nf errada. It’s moreof a  g iant ste p-up t h an  a n  arrival ,asKwia t k owski  did fl ash seri ous ab i li ty  in 201 3,  but h etur ned  Top1 0s i nto po diums an d vic t ories this yea r . For all-aro u nd t al e nt,Kwi atkowski ri vals Alej andr o  V alv e rde i n ver sa t il i ty. Pais Vasco wasan  early  expr ession of tha t versatil i t y  for the  you n gP ole: he was 2n d toAlberto Co n tador on  theGeneralClassific a t ion than kstohis  cl i m bi ng legs and h i s  ste ll ar ITT,  bu t he al sowon  th e P oi nts Jerse y afterbe in gin  th e Top 3 in fiv eofth e s ix st a ges of  therace .Af t ernarrowl y  m i s sing  o ut  onthe  T op 10  inl ast  year’s  Tour deFra n ce,Kw ia tkowski ’s ride fromLe eds to Par is  th is sea s o n was abit of a disappointment ,  but it  ma y bethat  Kwiatkow ski  justisn ’ t a Gr and To ur GC  c ont e n der a t th ispo int in his c are er, a nd  wit h the w ay he has performe d  in  the shorterrac es,t h at  ma y  b e  ok ay wit h him given his a bility toco n te st all man n erof  one-da y and o ne-we e k event s.

Giant -Shimano’ sTomD u mou lin was an other 19 90-born a l l-rou n dtalen t t o take  s eve ral s teps f o rwa rd th is sea so n. Dum oulin ,like Kwi atkowsi, showed promise  withsever albig rides  in 201 3, but he  too k his game  to  anew l eve l  in 2 014, ra cki n g upa fe w  time tri a lvic t o ri es in big r a c e s ( inclu din g  the E neco  Tour) and taking third in the I TT W o r ldCha m ps,an d also deliver ing  s e v eral str on g road race  perform an c es. W ins el uded h im, but h ec ame ve ry c los e in theGra nd Prix Cy cl is t e de Q uebe c,  passe d by S i monG e rrans just a few  mete r s  befo r e t he li ne 
 his_Tour de_France victory certainly represents_a worthy_career_progression), but_Aru_really took a_quantum leap forward_in his two Grand_Tour appearances.

Where Aru_made_his arrival the in three-weekers, newly crowned World Champ Michal Kwiatkowski made his statements_in_the one-day_and_one-week_races, racking up a slew_of stellar performances in the_early part_of the season (winning in Strade Bianche and_putting_in big rides_in Pais Vasco, the Ardennes, and the prologue of_the Tour de Romandie, his first_WorldTour victory) and_then_coming_back with a vengeance_in September, winning a stage in_the Tour of Britain en route_to 2nd overall and then, of course,_taking the rainbow jersey in Ponferrada._It’s more of a giant_step-up than_an arrival, as Kwiatkowski did_flash serious ability_in 2013,_but he turned_Top 10s into podiums and victories_this year. For_all-around talent, Kwiatkowski rivals Alejandro Valverde_in_versatility. Pais Vasco_was_an_early expression_of that versatility_for_the young_Pole:_he was 2nd to Alberto Contador_on_the General Classification thanks to his climbing_legs and his stellar_ITT,_but he also won_the Points Jersey after being_in the Top 3 in five_of the_six stages_of the race. After narrowly missing out on the Top 10_in last year’s Tour de France,_Kwiatkowski’s ride from Leeds_to Paris_this_season was a_bit_of a_disappointment, but it may be that Kwiatkowski_just isn’t_a Grand Tour GC contender at_this point in his_career,_and with the way he has_performed in the shorter races, that_may be okay with him_given_his_ability to contest all manner_of one-day and one-week events.

Giant-Shimano’s Tom_Dumoulin was another_1990-born all-round talent to take several steps_forward_this season. Dumoulin, like Kwiatkowsi, showed_promise_with several big rides in 2013,_but_he_took his game to a_new level in 2014, racking up_a few time trial victories in big races (including_the Eneco Tour)_and taking third in the_ITT_World_Champs, and also delivering several strong road race performances. Wins_eluded him,_but he came_very close in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec, passed_by Simon Gerrans just a few meters_before the line