The age thing (ATP, Men's 100m and 10,000m, soccer, and cycling)

[uscwang]

Using some tennis fans' logic, it sucks across the board. Men's 10,000m would have won the young age competition, if the 33 y.o. Farah weren't ranked #1. Federer at 34 and #3 is bad, but wait until you see Valverde at 36 and #2. And just as you think Men's 100m would save the day for athletes-should-decline-after-27, they bombed with 34-33-31-29-33.

ATP (average 30.2)
1. Novak Djokovic 28
2. Andy Murray 29
3. Roger Federer 34
4. Stan Wawrinka 31
5. Rafael NAdal 29

Men's 100m (average 32)
1. Justin Gatlin 34
2. Asafa Powell 33
3. Michael Rodgers 31
4. Usain Bolt 29
5. Tyson Gay 33

Men's 10,000m (average 27.2)
1. Mo Farah 33
2. Geoffrey Kamworor 23
3. Paul Kipngetich Tanui 25
4. Bitan Karoko 25
5. Galen Rupp 30

Soccer, FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 (Player of the Year) finalists (average 27.7)
Lionel Messi (winner) 28
Cristiano Ronaldo 31
Neymar 24

Cycling (average 29.6)
1. Peter Sagan 26
2. Alejandro Valverde 36
3. Alexander Kristoff 28
4. Thibaut Pinot 25
5. Alberto Contador 33

 

[RSH]

I'm curious -- how effective do you think this is?

 

[ultradr]

Stop calling Federer "grandpa" !!

 

[KineticChain]

Stop calling Federer "grandpa" !!

granperer getting cranky? time for a naperer. gotta rest up for teh olumpiks

 

[NoleFam]

Good job OP. I personally think a man hits his physical and mental peak around 27. It's no surprise of the ages of these sports and you will see most of them are based on strength or endurance, or both. In the last 10 years, tennis has become much more physical because of the slower courts and you can't hit through faster courts like in the past. You have to work so much harder to win these days which is why 27-30+ year olds are rampant at the top, because they are more mature physically and mentally.

 

[helterskelter]

Excellent point: there's aging in all sports. 22 years old are really going to struggle at the highest level for a while. Things have changed.

By the way, Djokovic turns 29 on Sunday, Nadal turns 30 in early June, and Messi turns 29 in late June, so those averages are heading up in the near future.

Using some tennis fans' logic, it sucks across the board. Men's 10,000m would have won the young age competition, if the 33 y.o. Farah weren't ranked #1. Federer at 34 and #3 is bad, but wait until you see Valverde at 36 and #2. And just as you think Men's 100m would save the day for athletes-should-decline-after-27, they bombed with 34-33-31-29-33.

ATP (average 30.2)
1. Novak Djokovic 28
2. Andy Murray 29
3. Roger Federer 34
4. Stan Wawrinka 31
5. Rafael NAdal 29

Men's 100m (average 32)
1. Justin Gatlin 34
2. Asafa Powell 33
3. Michael Rodgers 31
4. Usain Bolt 29
5. Tyson Gay 33

Men's 10,000m (average 27.2)
1. Mo Farah 33
2. Geoffrey Kamworor 23
3. Paul Kipngetich Tanui 25
4. Bitan Karoko 25
5. Galen Rupp 30

Soccer, FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 (Player of the Year) finalists (average 27.7)
Lionel Messi (winner) 28
Cristiano Ronaldo 31
Neymar 24

Cycling (average 29.6)
1. Peter Sagan 26
2. Alejandro Valverde 36
3. Alexander Kristoff 28
4. Thibaut Pinot 25
5. Alberto Contador 33

 

[Goosehead]

3 of those 100m blokes are drug cheats. they don't count.

 

[metsman]

lots of word to say "noelo is beating peek fedr and ralph novack GOAT"

 

[every7]

Using some tennis fans' logic, it sucks across the board. Men's 10,000m would have won the young age competition, if the 33 y.o. Farah weren't ranked #1. Federer at 34 and #3 is bad, but wait until you see Valverde at 36 and #2. And just as you think Men's 100m would save the day for athletes-should-decline-after-27, they bombed with 34-33-31-29-33.

ATP (average 30.2)
1. Novak Djokovic 28
2. Andy Murray 29
3. Roger Federer 34
4. Stan Wawrinka 31
5. Rafael NAdal 29

Men's 100m (average 32)
1. Justin Gatlin 34
2. Asafa Powell 33
3. Michael Rodgers 31
4. Usain Bolt 29
5. Tyson Gay 33

Men's 10,000m (average 27.2)
1. Mo Farah 33
2. Geoffrey Kamworor 23
3. Paul Kipngetich Tanui 25
4. Bitan Karoko 25
5. Galen Rupp 30

Soccer, FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 (Player of the Year) finalists (average 27.7)
Lionel Messi (winner) 28
Cristiano Ronaldo 31
Neymar 24

Cycling (average 29.6)
1. Peter Sagan 26
2. Alejandro Valverde 36
3. Alexander Kristoff 28
4. Thibaut Pinot 25
5. Alberto Contador 33

Could you diagram the argument you're trying to make?

It just looks like a mixture of tables stating a simple truism that at the top of every sport is a mixture of people who are great athletes and are entering their age peak and some slightly older legends who are so great that they can stay at the top despite age.

Also, a lot of these sports rankings computers skew things strangely so the tables are not to be relied upon in terms of specifics (i.e. in which world is Usain Bolt not easily better than any 100m sprinter?)

 

[mellowyellow]

3 of those 100m blokes are drug cheats. they don't count.

add the 2 older cyclist..and would suspect Farah

 

[Deleted member 716271]

I was never a Djoker fan.
This place was hell for Nadal fans few months ago.
Djoker fans sleeping with Frderer fans.
I sorta fixed it.

All I had to do was call Federer names and the usual turds come attacking Djoker.
Then the djoker turds and Fed turds go on and on.
Too bad posters like Djokovic 2011 who want to cozy up with Fed fanatics, and other posters said things, fought with Fed idiots. Now you can't undo things you said.
You are broken forever.
As for me, not my first stint in TTw nor will be the last. I change isps every year and sign new contract with new ISP. So my IP address keeps changing every year. All I need is a fake email address.

See you guys soon in new avatar. Hell I can have one profile for free wife at Starbucks.. One for phone without wifi. As long as you miserable idiots are there to fight around, I will have fun


Please keep doing the dirty work for me.
Hopefully many won't see this post because it gets reported and taken down soon

Tennis pro
Tennis addict
Smash hit
Steve
Giroldfoot
Djoker2011
5555
And plenty other idiots.. Wait for my next avatar.. May be a Fed fan this time?

Also an idiot called first serving Tom.. He thinks I make it so easy to get back at djoker ..
Lol prodigy my arse.. You must be special kind of idiot to believe I am 12 because I said so.. Lmfao


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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

nice post, the average ages are even higher actually because all the individual ages are listed as whole numbers, so someone who is listed as 28 (Djokovic for instance here) should be listed at 28.9. Probably too much work, so not a criticism of you at all, but something to keep in mind.

I think men peak in their late 20's, around age 28, if we look at all pro sports.

 

[RF-18]

lots of word to say "noelo is beating peek fedr and ralph novack GOAT"

No that is not what is said or meant.

 

[Krish872007]

I was never a Djoker fan.
This place was hell for Nadal fans few months ago.
Djoker fans sleeping with Frderer fans.
I sorta fixed it.

All I had to do was call Federer names and the usual turds come attacking Djoker.
Then the djoker turds and Fed turds go on and on.
Too bad posters like Djokovic 2011 who want to cozy up with Fed fanatics, and other posters said things, fought with Fed idiots. Now you can't undo things you said.
You are broken forever.
As for me, not my first stint in TTw nor will be the last. I change isps every year and sign new contract with new ISP. So my IP address keeps changing every year. All I need is a fake email address.

See you guys soon in new avatar. Hell I can have one profile for free wife at Starbucks.. One for phone without wifi. As long as you miserable idiots are there to fight around, I will have fun


Please keep doing the dirty work for me.
Hopefully many won't see this post because it gets reported and taken down soon

Tennis pro
Tennis addict
Smash hit
Steve
Giroldfoot
Djoker2011
5555
And plenty other idiots.. Wait for my next avatar.. May be a Fed fan this time?

Also an idiot called first serving Tom.. He thinks I make it so easy to get back at djoker ..
Lol prodigy my arse.. You must be special kind of idiot to believe I am 12 because I said so.. Lmfao


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You got rumbled ages ago. And you had absolutely nothing to do with the way this forum has turned out over the last 1.5 years - natural effect of Djoko dominating has brought the useless Fedal fanatics together. If it ain't broken, don't fix it.
Enjoy

 

[Jonas78]

Using some tennis fans' logic, it sucks across the board. Men's 10,000m would have won the young age competition, if the 33 y.o. Farah weren't ranked #1. Federer at 34 and #3 is bad, but wait until you see Valverde at 36 and #2. And just as you think Men's 100m would save the day for athletes-should-decline-after-27, they bombed with 34-33-31-29-33.

ATP (average 30.2)
1. Novak Djokovic 28
2. Andy Murray 29
3. Roger Federer 34
4. Stan Wawrinka 31
5. Rafael NAdal 29

Men's 100m (average 32)
1. Justin Gatlin 34
2. Asafa Powell 33
3. Michael Rodgers 31
4. Usain Bolt 29
5. Tyson Gay 33

Men's 10,000m (average 27.2)
1. Mo Farah 33
2. Geoffrey Kamworor 23
3. Paul Kipngetich Tanui 25
4. Bitan Karoko 25
5. Galen Rupp 30

Soccer, FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 (Player of the Year) finalists (average 27.7)
Lionel Messi (winner) 28
Cristiano Ronaldo 31
Neymar 24

Cycling (average 29.6)
1. Peter Sagan 26
2. Alejandro Valverde 36
3. Alexander Kristoff 28
4. Thibaut Pinot 25
5. Alberto Contador 33

How old was Bolt when he set the world records? I think it is important to look at peak/prime.

 

[Krish872007]

How old was Bolt when he set the world records?

21-22 years old - his 9.69 at Beijing 2008 was eclipsed by the 9.58 he ran at the 2009 World Champs in Berlin (so roughly 6.5-7 years ago)

He did run 9.63 in London 2012 though - so he'd have been around 25 then

 

[Jonas78]

21-22 years old - his 9.69 at Beijing 2008 was eclipsed by the 9.58 he ran at the 2009 World Champs in Berlin (so roughly 6.5-7 years ago)

Exactly! I think it is important to look at peak/prime.

In fotball i think most people agree that players moslty peak between 26 and 30, this is the age of the top players having their WC of their life; Pele, Maradona 86, Zidane 98, Messi 2018 ( i hope)

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Exactly! I think it is important to look at peak/prime.

In fotball i think most people agree that players moslty peak between 26 and 30, this is the age of the top players having their WC of their life; Pele, Maradona 86, Zidane 98, Messi 2018 ( i hope)

I've read 28 is the average peak age for all pro sports

 

[Jonas78]

I've read 28 is the average peak age for all pro sports

I think thats close to the truth. I have no statistics to back this up, but I have a feeling athletes generally peak earlier in explosive sports, and later in more endurance sports. I guess tennis is something in between?!?

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Cycling (average 29.6)
1. Peter Sagan 26
2. Alejandro Valverde 36
3. Alexander Kristoff 28
4. Thibaut Pinot 25
5. Alberto Contador 33

why those 5 ? where does this list come from ?...

PS: i'm still amazed at chris horner winning the vuelta at 41 in 2013 !

 

[Tennis_Hands]

why those 5 ? where does ths list come from ?...

PS: i'm still amazed at chris horner winning the vuelta at 41 in 2013 !

I want to know that too.

http://www.uci.html.infostradasport...ID=0&TaalCode=2&StyleID=0&Cache=2.html?158535

 

[Deleted member 716271]

I think thats close to the truth. I have no statistics to back this up, but I have a feeling athletes generally peak earlier in explosive sports, and later in more endurance sports. I guess tennis is something in between?!?

I think that's right and I agree. I'd say athletic skills in general and fine motor control etc peak in between also. Basketball is a pretty good measure of pure athleticism and all of the greats seem to peak in their late 20s.

If we're talking pure explosion and burst then early to mid 20s. If endurance and strength then early to mid 30s. But late 20s best overall.

 

[Giroudsleftboot]

I was never a Djoker fan.
This place was hell for Nadal fans few months ago.
Djoker fans sleeping with Frderer fans.
I sorta fixed it.

All I had to do was call Federer names and the usual turds come attacking Djoker.
Then the djoker turds and Fed turds go on and on.
Too bad posters like Djokovic 2011 who want to cozy up with Fed fanatics, and other posters said things, fought with Fed idiots. Now you can't undo things you said.
You are broken forever.
As for me, not my first stint in TTw nor will be the last. I change isps every year and sign new contract with new ISP. So my IP address keeps changing every year. All I need is a fake email address.

See you guys soon in new avatar. Hell I can have one profile for free wife at Starbucks.. One for phone without wifi. As long as you miserable idiots are there to fight around, I will have fun


Please keep doing the dirty work for me.
Hopefully many won't see this post because it gets reported and taken down soon

Tennis pro
Tennis addict
Smash hit
Steve
Giroldfoot
Djoker2011
5555
And plenty other idiots.. Wait for my next avatar.. May be a Fed fan this time?

Also an idiot called first serving Tom.. He thinks I make it so easy to get back at djoker ..
Lol prodigy my arse.. You must be special kind of idiot to believe I am 12 because I said so.. Lmfao


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

I want to know that too.

http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp@PageID=102007&SportID=102&CompetitionID=24055&SeasonID=490&EventID=12146&GenderID=1&ClassID=1&EventPhaseID=1444755&Phase1ID=0&TaalCode=2&StyleID=0&Cache=2.html?158535

often, it's not the same guys who win stage races and single-day races (not to mention the different specialists) so to make a list of (only!) 5 cyclists, you really need to specify what we're talking about...
in that respect, i'd say it's a bit different from tennis, where looking at the "top5" is more straightfoward... and even more from today's "homogenized tennis"

 

[spirit95]

So, the sports which rely more on athleticism like 10,000m, cycling and footie have age about 28 average before athletes decline. Sports with more technique have some benefit from experience. This corroborates that athletes pysically decline at 27-28.

What's new?

 

[Tennis_Hands]

often, it's not the same guys who win stage races and single-day races (not to mention the different specialists) so to make a list of (only!) 5 cyclists, you really need to specify what we're talking about...
in that respect, i'd say it's a bit different from tennis, where looking at the "top5" is more straightfoward... and even more from today's "homogenized tennis"

That is correct.

In a funny way tennis and road cycling are moving in the opposite directions.

Tennis has become more homgenized than in the past, so a top heavy tour is what we have as opposed to the surface specialists of the past 40 years and Cycling has become a more "specialist"'s sport, where it is an exception for a Grand Tour winner to be a contender at the spring Classics or a TT champion.

 

[ForumMember]

Tesnnis and athletics (100m) have gone through times where no new dominating talent emerged in last 8-9 years or so. Using the very same set of players you could have made a case for younger generations some 6 years ago as you are making for older generations using them.

if I had to pick top 4 players at the end of 2009, they would have Fed (28), Rafa(23), Djoko(22) and Murray (22). One would easily have concluded that Tennis as a sport of has gone young. Same with Athletics of 100 m. Even in 2009, top races were Bolt, Powell, Tyson Gay. It is only Yohan Blake who seems to have falled out from that list. One would have had similar conclusion that 100 m is game of youngs which is being dominated by a 23 years old Usain Bolt.

PS - I am just curious how come Bolt's name has been put as third name in list of 100 m athletes. I find that more than little surprising.

 

[Jonas78]

Using some tennis fans' logic, it sucks across the board. Men's 10,000m would have won the young age competition, if the 33 y.o. Farah weren't ranked #1. Federer at 34 and #3 is bad, but wait until you see Valverde at 36 and #2. And just as you think Men's 100m would save the day for athletes-should-decline-after-27, they bombed with 34-33-31-29-33.

ATP (average 30.2)
1. Novak Djokovic 28
2. Andy Murray 29
3. Roger Federer 34
4. Stan Wawrinka 31
5. Rafael NAdal 29

Men's 100m (average 32)
1. Justin Gatlin 34
2. Asafa Powell 33
3. Michael Rodgers 31
4. Usain Bolt 29
5. Tyson Gay 33

Men's 10,000m (average 27.2)
1. Mo Farah 33
2. Geoffrey Kamworor 23
3. Paul Kipngetich Tanui 25
4. Bitan Karoko 25
5. Galen Rupp 30

Soccer, FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 (Player of the Year) finalists (average 27.7)
Lionel Messi (winner) 28
Cristiano Ronaldo 31
Neymar 24

Cycling (average 29.6)
1. Peter Sagan 26
2. Alejandro Valverde 36
3. Alexander Kristoff 28
4. Thibaut Pinot 25
5. Alberto Contador 33

Its an interresting post, but i would be careful to draw too many conclusions upon a relatively scarse statistic material.

In a explosive sport like 100m im pretty sure most sprinters peak way before 30, although drugs probably can make up for some of it. As metioned earlier, Bolts world records were set between age 22 and 25. The final results at the Olympics 2012 was:
1. Bolt (25)
2. Blake (22)
3. Gatlin (30). Banned twice for drugs.
4. Gay (29). Disqualified for drugs
5. Bailey (23)
6. Martina (27)
So top 4 are aged 25,22,30 and 23.

In cycling you have to separate considering what kind of cyclist you are. To win the Tour de France you need no explosive abilities, and it takes many years to get that kind of endurance. I think the youngest winners sinse at least the 80's are Ullrich and Contador at age 24. Many winners are in their 30's.

In Soccer and Basketball you have to add fine motor control, and most people agree that the top Basketball and Soccer players have peaked late 20's.

Still the tennis-stats are pretty clear. No player has won more than two slams after age 30 sinse Laver, and no player has ever finished YE1 past age 30. In 2009 four of the top 5 ranked players were under 25 years (Nadal, Djoko, Del Potro, Murray).

I think its way too early to say the world of tennis have changed, although it looks like Djokovic can make the stats look better for the old guys

 

[uscwang]

What does this small set of numbers suggest?
One should think twice before calling this a weak era for tennis based on a 34 y.o. being ranked #2 or 3, or the average age of Top 10 knocking 30.
Of the 23 top athletes here, 11 are 30 and above, 12 are in their 20s (with only 5 at 25 and below).
IMHO, it is not too far-fetched to expect several more good years for Novak, Rafa, Murray, and even Federer.
(I don't follow the other sports, except soccer. The rankings are from googling. Please feel free to post rankings which you know well and compare.)

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Sorry to bump a slightly old thread but didn't have anywhere to post and didn't think it was worthy of a thread but still interesting. Anyway

At this moment, 20 teams are alive in mens doubles -- 19 of 20 have at least 1 member aged 30+ (Sock/Pospisil exception)

Crazy stuff..

 

[thomasferrett]

What about women. They peak much earlier don't they (excluding Serena). Not sure why...

 

[Chicharito]

Kim Collins just ran a PB (9.93) aged 40.

I like him but that is just taking the pi$s.

Using some tennis fans' logic, it sucks across the board. Men's 10,000m would have won the young age competition, if the 33 y.o. Farah weren't ranked #1. Federer at 34 and #3 is bad, but wait until you see Valverde at 36 and #2. And just as you think Men's 100m would save the day for athletes-should-decline-after-27, they bombed with 34-33-31-29-33.

ATP (average 30.2)
1. Novak Djokovic 28
2. Andy Murray 29
3. Roger Federer 34
4. Stan Wawrinka 31
5. Rafael NAdal 29

Men's 100m (average 32)
1. Justin Gatlin 34
2. Asafa Powell 33
3. Michael Rodgers 31
4. Usain Bolt 29
5. Tyson Gay 33

Men's 10,000m (average 27.2)
1. Mo Farah 33
2. Geoffrey Kamworor 23
3. Paul Kipngetich Tanui 25
4. Bitan Karoko 25
5. Galen Rupp 30

Soccer, FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 (Player of the Year) finalists (average 27.7)
Lionel Messi (winner) 28
Cristiano Ronaldo 31
Neymar 24

Cycling (average 29.6)
1. Peter Sagan 26
2. Alejandro Valverde 36
3. Alexander Kristoff 28
4. Thibaut Pinot 25
5. Alberto Contador 33

4 of the 5 100m runners have failed a drugs test. Bolt ran his best times when he was younger, irrelevant he is still #1 as he has declined which is the whole topic.

The two old cyclists have both been done for PEDs. Plus Contador is past his best anyway.

Ronaldo is past his prime (ignone the goal tallies, nowhere near the all round player he was)

 

[Russeljones]

OP needs help. Someone more articulate please explain what that is supposed to showcase.

 

[ArcspacE]

3 of those 100m blokes are drug cheats. they don't count.

Same could well be said about the tennis list

 

[kandamrgam]

Same could well be said about the tennis list

Your dp says where it is coming from

 

[kandamrgam]

I've read 28 is the average peak age for all pro sports

It cant be. TTW has declared at the magical age of 28.5 players start to decline. This is one truth the entire TTW is based on questioning which will bring down the collective sensibility. Dont try

 

[fundrazer]

why those 5 ? where does this list come from ?...

PS: i'm still amazed at chris horner winning the vuelta at 41 in 2013 !

I'm guessing they're the UCI rankings. Sagan is a beast of a rider. He's not a general classification guy for the grand tours, but he's amazing on some stages, points classification, and some one day races. He won the worlds road race last year among other racers. Very talented guy. Valverde and Contador are grand tour winners as I'm guessing you know. And of course they both had positive doping tests at some point.

If you wanted the most important names in cycling it would probably be Chris Froome, Nairo Quintanna, Vincenzo Nibali, Alberto Contador, Peter Sagan + maybe Richie Porte and Fabian Cancellara.

 

[Jonas78]

Kim Collins just ran a PB (9.93) aged 40.
4 of the 5 100m runners have failed a drugs test. Bolt ran his best times when he was younger, irrelevant he is still #1 as he has declined which is the whole topic.

The two old cyclists have both been done for PEDs. Plus Contador is past his best anyway.

Ronaldo is past his prime (ignone the goal tallies, nowhere near the all round player he was)

Exactly!

And just like Federer still thinks he can play like he did 10 years ago, Bolt still thinks he can beat his world records. Men just dont like to admit they are getting older

 

[moonballs]

What does this small set of numbers suggest?
One should think twice before calling this a weak era for tennis based on a 34 y.o. being ranked #2 or 3, or the average age of Top 10 knocking 30.
Of the 23 top athletes here, 11 are 30 and above, 12 are in their 20s (with only 5 at 25 and below).
IMHO, it is not too far-fetched to expect several more good years for Novak, Rafa, Murray, and even Federer.
(I don't follow the other sports, except soccer. The rankings are from googling. Please feel free to post rankings which you know well and compare.)

The problem with the analysis is the sample is too small. It would be more meaningful to look at the age of top 50 or top 20 of each sport.

 

[moonballs]

I think that's right and I agree. I'd say athletic skills in general and fine motor control etc peak in between also. Basketball is a pretty good measure of pure athleticism and all of the greats seem to peak in their late 20s.

If we're talking pure explosion and burst then early to mid 20s. If endurance and strength then early to mid 30s. But late 20s best overall.

I agree too. Explosiveness related athletic abilivies peak in early to mid 20s. As tennis fans we will forever remember the magic produced by the wrinkle-free-faced Federer with a racquet in his hand. And endurance related abilities peak well into the early 30s. That's why Nadal's loss of stamina is puzzling when he wasn't even 29.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

Using some tennis fans' logic, it sucks across the board. Men's 10,000m would have won the young age competition, if the 33 y.o. Farah weren't ranked #1. Federer at 34 and #3 is bad, but wait until you see Valverde at 36 and #2. And just as you think Men's 100m would save the day for athletes-should-decline-after-27, they bombed with 34-33-31-29-33.

ATP (average 30.2)
1. Novak Djokovic 28
2. Andy Murray 29
3. Roger Federer 34
4. Stan Wawrinka 31
5. Rafael NAdal 29

Men's 100m (average 32)
1. Justin Gatlin 34
2. Asafa Powell 33
3. Michael Rodgers 31
4. Usain Bolt 29
5. Tyson Gay 33

Men's 10,000m (average 27.2)
1. Mo Farah 33
2. Geoffrey Kamworor 23
3. Paul Kipngetich Tanui 25
4. Bitan Karoko 25
5. Galen Rupp 30

Soccer, FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 (Player of the Year) finalists (average 27.7)
Lionel Messi (winner) 28
Cristiano Ronaldo 31
Neymar 24

Cycling (average 29.6)
1. Peter Sagan 26
2. Alejandro Valverde 36
3. Alexander Kristoff 28
4. Thibaut Pinot 25
5. Alberto Contador 33

This just demonstrates that the notion of one's prime being 27 has been altered by modern training/sports science.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Interesting debate. But I'm still sticking to my guns: a) more money means players are willing to sacrifice and stay in the sport longer; b) better nutrition/fitness allows the guys over 30 to stay in near peak condition; c) a manifestation of a) - the young guys get some money (e.g. Bernie, 'worth $10 mil') and just aren't as hungry, making them easy pickings for the more experienced players.

 

[Jonas78]

Interesting debate. But I'm still sticking to my guns: a) more money means players are willing to sacrifice and stay in the sport longer; b) better nutrition/fitness allows the guys over 30 to stay in near peak condition; c) a manifestation of a) - the young guys get some money (e.g. Bernie, 'worth $10 mil') and just aren't as hungry, making them easy pickings for the more experienced players.

That may be so, but it doesnt explain why young players cant come through. In 2009/2010 four out of top 5 rank was under 25y (Murray, Del Porto, Rafa, Djokovic). The world of nutrition/fitness hasnt been turned upside down in 5 years.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

I'm guessing they're the UCI rankings. Sagan is a beast of a rider. He's not a general classification guy for the grand tours, but he's amazing on some stages, points classification, and some one day races. He won the worlds road race last year among other racers. Very talented guy. Valverde and Contador are grand tour winners as I'm guessing you know. And of course they both had positive doping tests at some point.

If you wanted the most important names in cycling it would probably be Chris Froome, Nairo Quintanna, Vincenzo Nibali, Alberto Contador, Peter Sagan + maybe Richie Porte and Fabian Cancellara.

(then they're outdated UCI rankings !)

i'd put fabio aru before porte and cancellara...
and for this year's tour... vamos nairo !