As the "greatest cyclist" poll is at a deadend I got inspired by a comment about Climbers.
*runs away for cover*
*runs away for cover*
Another poll: best TdF climber
- Thread starter Tuschinski
- Start date
Van Impe won the King Of The Mountains a record six times...I'm not sure who wore the polka dots for the most total days. Anyone?
I'm not sure that's really a measure of the best climber though. I mean, a specialist may win the jersey with well timed breaks or spend his time pulling a leader up the climbs. Maybe the *best* climbers are the ones that broke their competetion at crucial, strategic climbs.
There are several ways to look at this.
Van Impe, Gaul and Bahamontes are, in my opinion, pretty much equal.
Closely followed by Pantani.
I'd also include Robert Millar, Bartali, Coppi.
That's my selection for what it's worth !
Virenque won enough KOMs to earn consideration. Especially since the climber title is debatable. Armstrong is on there for two reasons. One, to see who has no idea. Two, to start another thread about Armstrong.
Fuente? I missed him. Mea Culpa
Virenque? *should I answer this one???? ok...*
He might not be the archetypical grimpeur, but he won the mountain jersey enough times to make him a must-have on the list.
Armstrong? He is perhaps the best climber of his generation (debatable, thats for sure) Considering his fanbase + being the most relying on his climbing 5-time tour winner. I put him on this list. And I am sticking with putting him there.
Furthermore... I did some internal arguing If someone picks him over Pantani or Virenque... I might agree with him. As Virenque and Pantani made the list... so should Armstrong
Virenque? *should I answer this one???? ok...*
He might not be the archetypical grimpeur, but he won the mountain jersey enough times to make him a must-have on the list.
Armstrong? He is perhaps the best climber of his generation (debatable, thats for sure) Considering his fanbase + being the most relying on his climbing 5-time tour winner. I put him on this list. And I am sticking with putting him there.
Furthermore... I did some internal arguing
If someone picks him over Pantani or Virenque... I might agree with him. As Virenque and Pantani made the list... so should Armstrong
Charly Gaul
maybe there is a reason his nickname is "The Angel of the Mountains". It's kind of hard to win more than one Tour when your competition consists of Jacques Anquetil and Bahamontes.
Coppi and Bartali are better than Van Impe, but there was a little thing called World War II that interrupted their careers.
maybe there is a reason his nickname is "The Angel of the Mountains". It's kind of hard to win more than one Tour when your competition consists of Jacques Anquetil and Bahamontes.
Coppi and Bartali are better than Van Impe, but there was a little thing called World War II that interrupted their careers.
What do Americans know about cycling? Once Lance Armstrong will have ended his career the TDF-roads will be free of Americans. They really think cycling began wit Lemond or Armstrong. That's totally wrong, there used to be cyclists who competed the whole year through. Merckx began in february and ended in october.
Now those Americans willl tell us who's the best climber of all times...come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now those Americans willl tell us who's the best climber of all times...come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Although I never saw him racing - from what I read, I would have to give Bahamontes the title - closely followed by Charly Gaul.
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/riders/rider_bio.asp?rider_id=14
http://www.cyclinghalloffame.com/riders/rider_bio.asp?rider_id=14
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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