Another poll: best TdF climber

limerickman

Although I never saw him racing - from what I read, I would have to give Bahamontes the title - closely followed by Charly Gaul.

gntlmn

Here's a photo of him as well as a brief cycling biography. As a pure climber that he was to have beaten Anquetil, I wonder if that means the course was unusually hilly in 1959 or whether he was in unusually good form then. It says he was not at all very good at descents, giving back his lead there.

http://www.cyclinghalloffame.com/ri...asp?rider_id=14

gclariosa

Pantani is for me the best climber TDF has to offer.

steve007

Ridiculous! What has nationality got to do with it? The fact LA has won 5 times illustrates who has "the knowledge" !

And this year it will happen again!

100%

Funny that someone who brings Nationality into it isn't brave enough to tell us where he's from in his details!

<-----------?????

For American cycling, it did start with Lemond! Was there a great American before him?

When Lance retires he'd better take Tyler, George, Floyyd etc, with him if you think your going to be 'American free'

As far as the best climber is concerned, how long is a piece of string?? Pantani was the most exciting to watch (that I've seen) but I wouldn't say he's great as he rarely backed up day after day. One outstanding day, then average................... at least Lance is up there everyday!

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winnezele

I am Belgian, bit I do no watch cycling patrioticaly. The poll of the best TDF-climber is totally wrong. Nor Armstrong, nor Pantani are the best. Pantini was full of epo and I have serously my doubts about Armstrong. I saw him riding The tour of Flanders before his cancer, sweating, his mouth opened totally. Some years later he 's just like e robot. Just like Indurain he was pepaired medically. he just can't win a race in spring or autum. That's not normal. he was beaten in the Dauphiné in TT by Mayo. In July he will be very good.
Any questions about that?????????????

gntlmn

As if the Americans put a headlock on all the other riders to hold them back from other events throughout the year. That's a good one.

gntlmn

As for emerging talent, I don't think Mayo has had his day in the sun in the Tour de France yet. I would be afraid to wager on him for GC because I don't have faith in his flat TT ability, although I think he will still probably place high in GC, but I do have a feeling he may do astoundingly well in the mountains, especially if he keeps riding as he very recently has. And watch out in the Alpe d'Huez time trial.

It may be that after the 2004 TdF, Mayo will begin to be considered against the greats. Notice his name is not on the poll.

Le_cannibale

First of all, not all Americans are ignorant to the things going on outside of the United States. Many people in the United States were not able to watch cycling until recently because of lack of interest. I made a post before you started your rant about Americans being stupid. Well, I said that Gaul was the greatest climber of all time because of how he has been described by many commentators and websites. Since Charly Gaul was long before my time, I could not have said that with out a little looking around.

I don't recall your specifying whom you think is the greatest climber of all time.

I'm glad you pointed out "King Eddy" but why not Anquetil. Did cycling begin with Eddy Merckx? Certainly not, it began with Maurice Garand in 1903 when he raced around France and won what is the hardest sporting event in the world.

dennis dee

In the 30s (cycling historians will confirm this), the best and revered cyclists in Europe were Americans.

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iBanesto

How about Ocana? He was good!

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TrekDedicated

I know my fair share... Thanks.


You'd like it to be free of Americans too, I bet... Jealous that we can compete in a sport thought to be purely European?

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TrekDedicated

Okay, people, please correct me if I'm wrong, but in Lance's 'pre-cancer' days he really had no formal training. he just went balls out, not thinking about strategy. Thus, he burned himself out a lot. He never really had any set goals

Read his book(s).

He has matured, after cancer he was able to build his body to a cyclist's perfection. Focus and training goes a long way...He rides everywhere, sleeps in altitude tents (whatever they are called) and he trains year round.

*Lost my train of thought*

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rejobako

What was the lazy sod doing for those other three months? Thanks for ruining my idolotry of Merckx.