Merckx: Lance Was Numero Uno?

Carrera

Eddy Merckx stated he now considers Lance Armstrong the greatest cyclist ever, given his performance over his several TDF wins. Will there ever be another cyclist to equal his attainments? Or will Lance ever make a comeback I wonder?
Also, now that Basso and Ullrich have been busted for doping, hasn't this kind of transformed Lance into a demigod?

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"Everybody has a philosophy. However, what philosophy you have is a matter of choice, and most people don't make a conscious choice with regard to what philosophy they accept."

Carrera

I guess the formula is: Combination of TT performance and climbing as well as a reasonable sprint. That's the key - learn to time trial (Basso isn't so good) and then climb like Pantani as well.
Plus the technology. Lance had all sorts of techniques to bypass the need for EPO and testosterone.

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"Everybody has a philosophy. However, what philosophy you have is a matter of choice, and most people don't make a conscious choice with regard to what philosophy they accept."

MountainPro

carerra, this is the politics forum, no one cares about cycling here...try the cafe down the street...

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HARD
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fastcat

I don't agree with him - Merckx achievements over his career were, in my view, greater. He won far more races and could perhaps have won at least one further TdF if a spectator hadn't punched him. Lance concentrated on the TDF. Eddy had a much better nickname too - the Cannibal - it says it all - he chewed all his rivals up.

Different times and technologies of course so it's difficult to compare, but Eddy was a better all round rider (imho of course).

So I think Eddy's being a bit too humble. Unless he meant the greatest ever except himself! Or perhaps he was just hoping to be contradicted!

Carrera

Funny how his son Axel Merckx never quite got very far, except from that brief moment of triumph in the Olympics not too long ago.
Anyway what I was driving at is Lance seems to have finished as the only clean cyclist. Virenque got caught with HGH and EPO in the Festina scandal. Ullrich and Basso have now been tarnished.
You now have Mr Armstrong with scores of TDF wins and an unblemished record. How did he do it without drugs?

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"Everybody has a philosophy. However, what philosophy you have is a matter of choice, and most people don't make a conscious choice with regard to what philosophy they accept."

Jupiler

I've never heard of Merckx making these statements?? I'm sure it would be mentionned in Belgian media if he said a thing like that. Do you have a link?

jhuskey

When were Basso and Ullrich busted for doping? I missed that!

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Whenever I can't get excited about riding I just fantasize about someone else's bike.

lwedge

Seems to me, they have been busted several times a day according to several members on the cyclingforums.



You just have to believe it JH..... Eddy Merckx said so.



Carrera is just the messenger..... Put the gun down.





lw

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jhuskey

Sorry you know how us redneck are shoot first,empty the clip,reload, shoot again and then 9 shots between the eyes just for effect.
I still think I missed their conviction and sentence.

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Whenever I can't get excited about riding I just fantasize about someone else's bike.

Carrera

Yes, Merckx features in a book I've been reading on the TDF. He talks at length about Armstrong in it.

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"Everybody has a philosophy. However, what philosophy you have is a matter of choice, and most people don't make a conscious choice with regard to what philosophy they accept."

Jupiler

I still can't believe Merckx would say that. Perhaps he said he thinks that Armstrong is the best TDF rider of all time... even if Merckx said that I wouldn't agree with him.

I found this interview from a Belgian magazine: http://www.bop.vgc.be/tijdschriften...4/Wa574idk1.txt

For everyones convenience I translated this part

Q: Are you the greatest cyclist of all time?

EM: I was the best of my era. I dare say that, but I wouldn't want to compare myself with Fausto Coppi, Miguel Indurain, Bernard Hinault or Lance Armstrong. You have to be the best of your time, that's the most important thing. You can't compare the different times either. I rode almost all races, it was totally different from now. If I'd be riding now I might be doing the same thing as Armstrong. The TDF has became even more important. Armstrong is also making alot more money. We rode alot of races to make money, nowadays that's not needed anymore.

Q: Armstrong has beaten your TDF record - aswell as that of Anquetil, Hinault and Indurain - of 5 wins. Do you mind that?

EM: Not at all! Lance deserves that, he's a good friend. He came over for my birthday party. If I had done like him and only fixated on the Tour, I might have won more of them. But I don't regret. Cycling isn't just the TDF. There are many classics like Milan-Sanremo and Ronde van Vlaanderen, that I find more important. The Tour de France is getting way too much attention!