JOHN PART believes that Raymond van Barneveld has taken the mantle of being the world's best darts player from Phil Taylor this year.
Van Barneveld captured Taylor's Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship crown on New Year's Day in one of the sport's greatest ever matches to claim his fifth World Championship title.
Although the Dutchman lost twice to Taylor in the Holsten Premier League, he was an 11-4 winner when the pair met in the Blue Square UK Open last month, going on to pick up a second successive Bolton triumph and then see off Part on his way to victory in the Las Vegas Desert Classic.
Part - a two-time World Champion himself who has played Taylor in five major finals - believes that van Barneveld has taken at least a temporary edge over the English legend.
"Ray's the World Champion and has taken the mantle from Phil Taylor in my mind - he is the best," said Part.
"Phil always has the capability, don't get me wrong, but Raymond has consistently proven what a great player he is.
"When I was on 68 against Ray in the UK Open and he finished a 111 in the final leg, that was above class.
"I started that leg with a 180 and he still comes up with a 12-dart leg against the throw.
"That's the way he is playing now - he responds but he is also thinking ahead, he knows what he needs to do before the leg starts and he is doing it.
"That's the most you can ask from yourself."
Part also felt the class of van Barneveld in the semi-final of the Desert Classic, losing out this time 11-7 in a repeat of the 2006 final, which the Canadian won.
"In the end I lost to the man I took the title from last year, and hats off to him because he played better than I did," added Part.
"I wasn't far off maybe beating him, and I brought my game up - it was my highest average of the week.
"That's what I'm capable of, but he was better than I was, that's the bottom line.
"I had a few darts at bull outshots and missed, and he was better finishing and I can't complain or say I was unlucky.
"Raymond played fantastically and took out some superb shots, but I feel I was a full danger to him and that I still will be in the future.
"I'm playing very well right now and I'm looking forward to the World Matchplay.
"I had a big disappointment losing 13-2 Phil last year in the second round but I'm looking forward to it this time. I think I can win and I'm looking to win it."
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