rank these climbers.

classic1

I'd have Jimenez higher. He was a typical climber - hot and cold, but unstoppable when he was hot. I'd also have Gotti higher. A couple of Giros in the bag is a huge accomplishment, doped to the gills or not.

Frigo's Luggage

That was Lance in his prime and four years past Pantani's prime. Still, Pantani set the Ventoux record that day when he was only on his "B" game.

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limerickman

Gotti was a superb climber (doped or not).
Tonkov too could clim but was more laboured and did not seem to be as natural as Gotti (at climbing that is).

Jimenez.
I agree, blew very hot and very cold - on his day he was in Pantani's class.
I've an eerie stage on tape from 1998 - Jimenez and Pantani climbing Deux Alp, putting minutes in to a badly blowing Jan Ullrich.

Almost dark on that days racing, to re-view the stage footage of Jimenez and Pantani climbing away is bittersweet : to think they now both dead.

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.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets" - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

fscyclist

By prime, you mean when Pantani's crit was over 65%, and "B" game means crit of 55%?

Point is many GT champs are among the best climbers, that's why they win. Instead, people have a tendency to inflate lesser riders incapable of winning a GT and instead win a couple stages...which they never would win if they were actually in contention for the GT.

Any list of top climbers needs to include Armstrong, Indurain, Merckx, Hinault, and possibly Lemond to name a few. Oh, I forgot to include Hincapie with that win at Pla d'Adet.

One more thing....all my posts aren't meant to be taken seriously, but this one is, I think.

Crankyfeet

I think you make a good point. A GC contender has to be a good climber and spread himself out over the entire race, not just focus on a couple of climbing stages.

There are good climbers though that sucked enough at TT's that a GC was out of the question. I say this with due respect for the fact that I have little archival experience of watching any of these guys.

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meehs

Van Impe, Gaul, Bahamontes, Pantani...

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EvilJediJ

Pantani wasn't on form for the 2000 TdF. He had just come back from his I think suspension....he had barely raced all year long and no one even thought he was going to be a challenge that year. Still, he dropped Lance a few days later in the mountains after the Ventoux.

He has the top two or three fastest times up the L'alpe Duez

fscyclist

No question that Pantani is probably the best climber in the last 15-20 years. I'd have to put Lance in the top 5 (maybe even 2nd) during this time period. I think it's difficult if not impossible to compare climbers of different generations.

Crankyfeet

Theoretically... yes...but on forums, anything is possible...

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fscyclist

Correct...In reality I think it's easier to compare riders of different generations in the Best ever (Merckx) and Worst looking categories.

I think we should change the discussion to "worst looking pro to ever ride a bike." By worst looking I mean, worst looking form and all around Fred. No surprise on my vote, Cadel Evans.

helmutRoole2

Who was the Eagle of Toledo? I vote for him based solely on his nickname.

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Crankyfeet

The Eagle from Heming didn't look the best at 60% hematocrit.

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Bro Deal

Not even close. Check out Escartin some time. He's like a crab riding a bicycle.

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"You are like the wind and I like the lion. You form the tempest. The sand stings my eyes and the ground is parched. I roar in defiance but you do not hear. But between us there is a difference. I, like the lion, must remain in my place. While you like the wind will never know yours." -- Mulay Hamid El Raisuli, Lord of the Riff, Sultan to the Berbers, Last of the Barbary Pirates

Crankyfeet

Then there's world track sprinting gold medalist Ryan Bailey from Australia, who's coach described his riding style as like watching a monkey trying to hump a tennis ball...

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