My candidates for most underrated would be (in no particular order): Modern day current athletes, Tom Evans, Raynard Tissink, Stefan Holzner, Olaf Sabatshus, Alex Taubert, Jason Shortis.
Past performers: Wolfgang Dietrich, Jeff Devlin, Rob Barel
I second Olaf Sabatschus, but wait until Kona, I have a feeling 2005 will be another stellar year for Olaf.
Tom Evans
2 Ironman wins in one year with not much attention. He won as both the hunted and as the hunter.
“I second Olaf Sabatschus, but wait until Kona, I have a feeling 2005 will be another stellar year for Olaf.”
Gary Tingley
Rotor Cranks USA
He must use Crotor Ranks.
My candidates for most underrated would be (in no particular order): Modern day current athletes, Tom Evans, Raynard Tissink, Stefan Holzner, Olaf Sabatshus, Alex Taubert, Jason Shortis.
Past performers: Wolfgang Dietrich, Jeff Devlin, Rob Barel
How about Raynard at IM SA? Sub 2:30 bike and sub 3 HR run.
My prediction is both Raynard and Tom Evans will show up in Hawaii this year and both will be top 5. Then, underrated no longer.
hmmm…
Olaf Sabatshus
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Luke Dragstra
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Jason Shortis
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You may not consider them under rated, but I think Hellriegel and Leder are worth much more press than they get. Also, I am a big fan for Faris Al Sultan.
I know this will get crapped on, but I think that with the lack of ‘fanfare’ he gets compared to results, Tim DeBoom is highly underrated.
As for Evans ‘showing up’ and getting top 5, recent hisory tells us that we shouldn’t expect that, and I doubt his debut will be as anticipated as Macca’s or Simon’s. This year will be the first of many ‘due payments’ made by Tom Evans. my 2 cents.
Gordo Byrn was quite underrated in the talks before this year’s IMNZ IMO. Second place and 8:28 in Canada and not mentioned as a main contender in NZ was a bit weird. But Byrn more than makes up for the lack of real cred by brilliantly marketing himself on the Internet.
Tom Evans without a doubt.
Good call on Evans… To think that Ironman is “Dr. Evans’” past time being a dentist makes it all the more impressive.
I really like Faris Al-Sultan as well. I heard an interview with him and he had a really great attitude. Admitted admiring Normann, but on the same token… Saying that once he starts to fade, he’ll drop out of the sport and find something else related to his Masters degree.
If we are talking a rising star in the sport…I would have to go with Johnny Pham. The guy can flat out hammer on the bike.
What about Bryan Rhodes - 2 x IM Malaysia and a host of top 5 finishes at IM races - his trouble is that he has never had a decent showing in Hawaii and until this year’s IMNZ, probably lacked much mainstream credibility in NZ.
tom evans, in my opinion.
Umm, I think it’s me. You never hear people say, “Oh, yeah, Colin might do something big in this race.” What’s the deal with that?
-Colin
Mojozenmaster
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You guys ought to be ashamed of yourselves, PNF and Kenny Glah!!!