Naturally, I’ve chosen three of the riders with the most panache to follow in 2013. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to comment on the Velvet Samurai, a.k.a. the Incredible Hulk, a.k.a. the Terminator, Mr Peter Sagan after a 2012 season in which he collected stage wins en masse and won the coveted Green Jersey at the Tour de France. I’ll also be keeping my eye on an ageing Thomas Voeckler, who showed he still had it in 2012 after his brilliant Tour of 2011. Finally, I’ll be watching Dutch national champion Niki Terpstra play his role on the most talented Classics squad in pro cycling, Omega Pharma-Quick Step.

Peter Sagan (Cannondale)

Age: 22 (but only just, as he turns 23 on January 26th).

Nationality: Slovakian.

Role: All-around bad-ass. [What’s that in French? – Ed]

2012 WorldTour ranking: 8th, 351 pts.

2012 highlights:

• Won five stages at Tour of California, 1st in points classification.
• Won four stages at Tour de Suisse, 1st in points classification.
• Won three stages at Tour de France, 1st in points classification.
• Won stages at Tour of Oman and Tirreno-Adriatico.
• One-day Classics: 2nd at Gent-Wevelgem, 3rd at Amstel Gold, 4th at Milan-San Remo, 5th at Tour of Flanders.
• Slovakian national road race champion.

Why I’m following him:

Everyone wishes they were following Peter Sagan but only a few can hold his wheel. I hope to see Peter vault from stage collector to one-day Classics collector. He has the ability to wreak havoc on both the cobbles in the future and in the hilly Ardennes now. He is the future Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara or Philippe Gilbert. Maybe the future is now?

Thomas Voeckler (Europcar)

Age: 33.

Nationality: French

Role: All-rounder, Europcar team leader.

2012 WorldTour ranking: N/A. 17th in UCI Europe Tour, 282 pts.

2012 highlights: 

• Two stage wins at Tour de France, 1st in mountains classification.
• Won Brabantse Pijl.
• One-day Classics: 4th at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, 5th at Amstel Gold, 8th at Tour of Flanders.
• 7th in Road World Championships road race.
• Winner of the VeloVoices Sartorial Elegance Award. [Obviously this one should go at the top – Ed.]

Why I’m following him: 

Thomas Voeckler is one of the most entertaining riders to watch when he goes on the attack – which is quite often. His tongue flaps around and his face winces as he desperately tries to escape the peloton. His bibs are the perfect length and his Colnago bicycle is the epitome of style. I hope he’ll surprise us again this year with some stunning victories in 2013, maybe at Flanders or Liège or on the island of Corsica. I look forward to seeing him in person at the Tour de France.

Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)

Age: 28.

Nationality: Dutch.

Role: Attacker, breakaway specialist.

2012 WorldTour ranking: 31st, 160 pts.

2012 highlights:

• Won the trade team time trial at Road World Championships (as part of OPQS team).
• One-day Classics: Won Dwars door Vlaanderen, 3rd at Paris-Tours, 5th at Paris-Roubaix, 6th at Tour of Flanders.
• 3rd overall at Eneco Tour.
• Dutch national road race champion.

Why I’m following him:

Niki is the type of rider I would like to be. He is a great teammate and loyal domestique but he’s also the master of the well-timed solo attack for victory. As the time of writing, 2013 has already seen him win the Six Days of Rotterdam on the track with teammate Iljo Keisse. It is the first win of 2013 for OPQS.

Websites: Peter Sagan, Thomas Voeckler, Niki Terpstra

Twitter: @nikiterpsta