Following an English-speaking article proposing a ranking of the best French people of the 21st century, we wanted to react and offer you ours. So, who are the first five names in our ranking of the 10 best French runners of the 21st century?
To carry out this classification, we were not able to carry out a 100% scale since ultimately, most French runners do not have a great track record. We therefore also took into account the emotions and the influence of the rider in the peloton to establish this ranking of the 10 best French people of the 21st century.
The 10 best French people of the 21st century (1/2)
10 – Nacer Bouhanni – 13 seasons – FDJ / Cofidis / Arkea
In the shadow of Arnaud Démare, Nacer Bouhanni was forced to leave the team that revealed him. Despite everything, he had time to add to his record on the Grand Tours, notably thanks to the 2014 Giro where he won three victories. Three is obviously his favorite number since he has also won three times in the Vuelta and Paris-Nice. During his career, the French sprinter has nevertheless accumulated 70 successes, mainly in sprints but has always failed in his quest for a victory in the Tour de France. A disappointment and a big miss on the list for a Frenchman. His numerous falls and his bad luck will be remembered by supporters.
9 – David Moncoutié – 13 seasons – Cofidis
Like many French climbers, David Moncoutié has often suffered from competition in the general rankings. Considered one of the most talented riders, he obviously suffered the situation, racing during one of the darkest periods of cycling during which the first 10 of the Tour all ended up being suspended for doping. Him never. An adventurous climber with an offensive character, the Frenchman obviously shone in France, with two victories on the Tour or on the Dauphiné but also in Spain, at the end of his career. Between 2008 and 2011, Moncoutié won a victory in each of his Vueltas, with the added bonus of being the best climber each time. Successes which made it popular both in France and beyond the Pyrenees. With his reputation as a clean runner and his successes, almost all acquired alone, in our opinion he deserved to finish ahead of Bouhanni's 70 laurels.
8 – Sylvain Chavanel – 19 seasons – Brioche / Cofidis / Quick Step / Direct Energie
First an adventurer then a chrono specialist and classicman, Sylvain Chavanel has become, over time, an extremely complete runner. Coming so close to winning the Tour of Flanders in 2011, behind Nick Nuyens, he would have deserved a major title as he was so strong during his time with Quick Step. Despite this failure, Chavanel won 46 victories during his career, including three stages of the Tour de France. His 2010 Tour de France will be remembered with his double stage victory and his yellow jersey. His number at the Station des Rousses is undoubtedly his greatest victory. He also won the GP Plouay – Bretagne Classic in 2014, a great achievement on his list. Finally, his feat of arms which made him so popular was obviously his adventure in the 2003 Tour de France, when he was taken over by the Lance Armstrong rocket.
7 – Christophe Laporte – 11 seasons – Cofidis / Visma
His career is not over and given his level, Christophe Laporte could claim to be even higher. It must be said that since his move to Jumbo Visma in 2022, the Frenchman has reached a milestone and is one of the best Flandrians in the world. Winner of Gent-Wevelgem or A Travers la Flandre, he is also a key rider in the Visma Lease a Bike collective, alongside Van Aert. Their duo works very well, as evidenced by the number on Paris-Nice in 2023. In two years, he has built up a very good track record, which, if we were solely focused on results, would allow him to be higher. He has a few more seasons to weigh but we are sure he will finish higher. At least 6th.
6 – Christophe Moreau – 10 seasons – Festina / Crédit Agricole /AG2R
Difficult to classify Christophe Moreau given that he spent part of his career in the 90s. However, how can we not place him in the ranking when he is today the last French winner of a World stage race Round ? As crazy as it may seem – but all French fans know this sad statistic – no Frenchman has won a World Tour stage race since his Dauphiné in 2007. It was then his second success in the Alpine race, ahead of Alejandro Valverde , a double winner in his turn in 2008 and 2009. 4th in the Tour de France in 2000, he was the only rider at the time capable of reaching the podium on our Grand National tour. In 2001, after his success on the Dauphiné then his victory in the prologue of the Tour, we even began to dream of a podium on the Grande Boucle. But while in the match with Beloki, he was forced to retire on the 12th stage, at the peak of his career. He will never return to such a level afterwards. In short, if he does not have the most monstrous track record, he is the one who came closest in the first decade to getting on the Tour podium and competing for the general rankings. A trace and a role which necessarily weighs when doing the accounts.
More during the day.
