Best British Rider Ever :



limerickman

Well-Known Member
Jan 5, 2004
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I've been talking to an English cycling pal of mine during the last couple of days and we were discussing who we thought was the best British cyclist.

My friend told me all about the exploits of Tom Simpson and Brian Robinson.
I've read about these guys and they definitely command a lot of respect.
For those of you who don't know of Tommy Simpson - TS was world champion in
1965, he won everything from classic races to stages races but is ultimately remembered for having died during the 1967 TDF on Mt Ventoux.
In a separate but curious way, I have met with members of Seamus Elliots family who spoke very eloquently and movingly about Tom (Seamus Elliot, although Irish, cycled with Tom Simpson and they would have helped each other in races as pros on the continent).
Brian Robinson was the first of the post WWII riders to make an impression on the Continent.
Other great British riders would include Brian Hoban, Robert Millar (Scotland),
Grham Jones, Sean Yates, Chris Boardman.

For me Robert Millar is the best British rider.
I think the mans record speaks for itself and he was in the 1980's a contender
for the TDF/Vuelta/Giro.

Who'd be your choice ?
 
limerickman said:
I've been talking to an English cycling pal of mine during the last couple of days and we were discussing who we thought was the best British cyclist.

My friend told me all about the exploits of Tom Simpson and Brian Robinson.
I've read about these guys and they definitely command a lot of respect.
For those of you who don't know of Tommy Simpson - TS was world champion in
1965, he won everything from classic races to stages races but is ultimately remembered for having died during the 1967 TDF on Mt Ventoux.
In a separate but curious way, I have met with members of Seamus Elliots family who spoke very eloquently and movingly about Tom (Seamus Elliot, although Irish, cycled with Tom Simpson and they would have helped each other in races as pros on the continent).
Brian Robinson was the first of the post WWII riders to make an impression on the Continent.
Other great British riders would include Brian Hoban, Robert Millar (Scotland),
Grham Jones, Sean Yates, Chris Boardman.

For me Robert Millar is the best British rider.
I think the mans record speaks for itself and he was in the 1980's a contender
for the TDF/Vuelta/Giro.

Who'd be your choice ?


despite his somewhat tainted legacy, I would probably go for Simpson - partially for sentimental reasons as I met him in the early 60s when I was 4 at one of the races my uncle helped organise and it was a really big thing - largely responsible for my lifelong love affair with cycling - and partially because his achievements are largely unequalled in British cycling, and his training and diet regimes were incredibly modern. 'Put me Back on my Bike' is a really excellent book and well worth reading.

However, there is a really compelling case for Robert Millar - mainly because he wasn't some sort of exotic speciment riding for a GB team but a consummate pro who rode for some great teams, was a real contender and was recognised as such. Also, I have a vivid memory of him being in a break in the TdF and being pulled back to help a struggling Delgado - which he did without a fuss, sacrificing a very real chance at a stage win into the process.
 
micron said:
despite his somewhat tainted legacy, I would probably go for Simpson - partially for sentimental reasons as I met him in the early 60s when I was 4 at one of the races my uncle helped organise and it was a really big thing - largely responsible for my lifelong love affair with cycling - and partially because his achievements are largely unequalled in British cycling, and his training and diet regimes were incredibly modern. 'Put me Back on my Bike' is a really excellent book and well worth reading.

However, there is a really compelling case for Robert Millar - mainly because he wasn't some sort of exotic speciment riding for a GB team but a consummate pro who rode for some great teams, was a real contender and was recognised as such. Also, I have a vivid memory of him being in a break in the TdF and being pulled back to help a struggling Delgado - which he did without a fuss, sacrificing a very real chance at a stage win into the process.

To meet the legendary Tom Simpson is something special.
I am not old enough to have seen him ride - I've seen the footage though and I've read "Put me back on my bike" and it is evident that the man was a super talent.
Throw in the fact that he was world champion and he won both stage and classic races, his record is superb.
 
limerickman said:
I've been talking to an English cycling pal of mine during the last couple of days and we were discussing who we thought was the best British cyclist.

My friend told me all about the exploits of Tom Simpson and Brian Robinson.
I've read about these guys and they definitely command a lot of respect.
For those of you who don't know of Tommy Simpson - TS was world champion in
1965, he won everything from classic races to stages races but is ultimately remembered for having died during the 1967 TDF on Mt Ventoux.
In a separate but curious way, I have met with members of Seamus Elliots family who spoke very eloquently and movingly about Tom (Seamus Elliot, although Irish, cycled with Tom Simpson and they would have helped each other in races as pros on the continent).
Brian Robinson was the first of the post WWII riders to make an impression on the Continent.
Other great British riders would include Brian Hoban, Robert Millar (Scotland),
Grham Jones, Sean Yates, Chris Boardman.

For me Robert Millar is the best British rider.
I think the mans record speaks for itself and he was in the 1980's a contender
for the TDF/Vuelta/Giro.

Who'd be your choice ?
Simpson would be a popular choice.....But I have to agree with you Robert Millar as britians best roadman. I get the impression he was a fighter. He was born with a body that had physical limitations but he later added some muscle to improve his time trialing.He started a decisive break at the Alterheim Worlds which Lemond won.
Of course, I would like to nominate any British rider who rode for the Ti-Raleigh team ......
But the post title is "Best British Rider Ever."
To me with out a doubt it is Reg Harris.
The British have some great track riders....
 
The book about Simpson sounds as a must read.... Are copies available ?
 
limerickman said:
I've been talking to an English cycling pal of mine during the last couple of days and we were discussing who we thought was the best British cyclist.
Maybe a post should be started as the "Best British Frames?" I am a collector of sorts.... I have ridden a Falcon,a Bob Jackson , a Raleigh Team Pro, and my all time favorite a MKM..... I am in the hunt for a Carlton Track frame.....
 
wolfix said:
The book about Simpson sounds as a must read.... Are copies available ?

As Micron says - Put me back on my Bike is a superb read.
Well worth buying Wolfix : you'll read it and then you'll want to read it again.
Fascinating stuff.

Reg Harris - I forgot to mention his name.

And Beryl Burton - she was a superb cyclist too.
 
limerickman said:
As Micron says - Put me back on my Bike is a superb read.
Well worth buying Wolfix : you'll read it and then you'll want to read it again.
Fascinating stuff.

Reg Harris - I forgot to mention his name.

And Beryl Burton - she was a superb cyclist too.

Actually BB's exploits make her probably worthy of the title - she was invited to compete as a guest in some of the great endurance races and posted times that men would have been proud of.

Best moment: when she passed a male competitor in a TT, fished a bag out of her jersey pocket and asked him 'would you like a toffee?'.

Just as you could argue that Longo is the greatest French cyclist.
 
Hi Lim,

i dont really know much about the UK road scene pre 1990. I only really got into it in the early 90's and caught the tail end of Boardman and Obree's careers.

Robert Millar is still a legend here even among the uninitiated.

We have a great olypmic track cycling team with Chris Hoy, gold medal and world record holders.

And in MTB we have world champion and probably the most prolific and decorated rider in the business, Steve Peat.

Who is the best, i cannot tell.


limerickman said:
I've been talking to an English cycling pal of mine during the last couple of days and we were discussing who we thought was the best British cyclist.

My friend told me all about the exploits of Tom Simpson and Brian Robinson.
I've read about these guys and they definitely command a lot of respect.
For those of you who don't know of Tommy Simpson - TS was world champion in
1965, he won everything from classic races to stages races but is ultimately remembered for having died during the 1967 TDF on Mt Ventoux.
In a separate but curious way, I have met with members of Seamus Elliots family who spoke very eloquently and movingly about Tom (Seamus Elliot, although Irish, cycled with Tom Simpson and they would have helped each other in races as pros on the continent).
Brian Robinson was the first of the post WWII riders to make an impression on the Continent.
Other great British riders would include Brian Hoban, Robert Millar (Scotland),
Grham Jones, Sean Yates, Chris Boardman.

For me Robert Millar is the best British rider.
I think the mans record speaks for itself and he was in the 1980's a contender
for the TDF/Vuelta/Giro.

Who'd be your choice ?
 
Mr Tom - no question! He won so much and died for cycling! Is there anyone similar?

 
limerickman said:
I've been talking to an English cycling pal of mine during the last couple of days and we were discussing who we thought was the best British cyclist.

My friend told me all about the exploits of Tom Simpson and Brian Robinson.
I've read about these guys and they definitely command a lot of respect.
For those of you who don't know of Tommy Simpson - TS was world champion in
1965, he won everything from classic races to stages races but is ultimately remembered for having died during the 1967 TDF on Mt Ventoux.
In a separate but curious way, I have met with members of Seamus Elliots family who spoke very eloquently and movingly about Tom (Seamus Elliot, although Irish, cycled with Tom Simpson and they would have helped each other in races as pros on the continent).
Brian Robinson was the first of the post WWII riders to make an impression on the Continent.
Other great British riders would include Brian Hoban, Robert Millar (Scotland),
Grham Jones, Sean Yates, Chris Boardman.

For me Robert Millar is the best British rider.
I think the mans record speaks for itself and he was in the 1980's a contender
for the TDF/Vuelta/Giro.

Who'd be your choice ?

Tom Simpson.
 
Interesting topic and great choices. But you are forgetting two guys that definitely should be in the discussion. Chris Boardman won tour prologues, lots of track medals and broke the hour record a couple of times. One of the best short tters in the world during the 90s. Defiinitely deserves to be mentioned although not the greatest.

Sean Kelly, however, deserves a solid argument even over Tom Simpson. He won basically all of the Classics, dominated the spring with multiple wins in Paris Nice and Criterium International. Also won lots of GT stages and was in the frame at the tour several times. He still does a lot for cycling and was personally responsible for bringing the tour to Ireland for the 1998 start... it rode right through his hometown.

I suppose the people best suited to make the call are Phil and Paul. Funny how they always get accused of being Lance homers but they are AMAZING homers for every british rider. They followed Kelly, Millar (both of them) and whatever British rider in the tour and mentioned their results even when they were in 100th place. Paul raced with most of these guys.

Phil/Paul, do you read this forum??? chime in.
 
barnstorm said:
Interesting topic and great choices. But you are forgetting two guys that definitely should be in the discussion. Chris Boardman won tour prologues, lots of track medals and broke the hour record a couple of times. One of the best short tters in the world during the 90s. Defiinitely deserves to be mentioned although not the greatest.

Sean Kelly, however, deserves a solid argument even over Tom Simpson. He won basically all of the Classics, dominated the spring with multiple wins in Paris Nice and Criterium International. Also won lots of GT stages and was in the frame at the tour several times. He still does a lot for cycling and was personally responsible for bringing the tour to Ireland for the 1998 start... it rode right through his hometown.

I suppose the people best suited to make the call are Phil and Paul. Funny how they always get accused of being Lance homers but they are AMAZING homers for every british rider. They followed Kelly, Millar (both of them) and whatever British rider in the tour and mentioned their results even when they were in 100th place. Paul raced with most of these guys.

Phil/Paul, do you read this forum??? chime in.
oops, forgot Stephen Roche. won the tour in 1987. heck a of a cool guy too
 
barnstorm said:
oops, forgot Stephen Roche. won the tour in 1987. heck a of a cool guy too
Of the rides mentioned Stephen Roche in 1987 won the triple crown of cycling. But he is Irish. I need a geography lesson here. Is Ireland part of the British Islands? I always thought that Ireland was not part of "not being British." And to think geography was one of my favorite studies.
 
wolfix said:
Of the rides mentioned Stephen Roche in 1987 won the triple crown of cycling. But he is Irish. I need a geography lesson here. Is Ireland part of the British Islands? I always thought that Ireland was not part of "not being British." And to think geography was one of my favorite studies.
And unless we can include Sean Kelly in this discussion I still argue Reg Harris because he dominated the sport for about 6 years while wearing the rainbow stripes.
 
wolfix said:
And unless we can include Sean Kelly in this discussion I still argue Reg Harris because he dominated the sport for about 6 years while wearing the rainbow stripes.
good call on Roche's triple crown in '87. I thought about the irish thing for a minute and wasn't totally sure. I decided that British includes all of great britain which includes england, ireland, and wales even if much of the irish might wish they were not included??? If we said english, I wouldn't include the irish riders. I am sure this will all be clarified by someone from that side of the pond soon enough.
 
Please forgive Wolf and Barn and accept my apology on the part of all geographical/political aware Americans.

Simpson was before my time and I must admit I didn't immediately think of him when I read the question. I thought of Robert Millar, but now I'll go with Tommy.
 
barnstorm said:
good call on Roche's triple crown in '87. I thought about the irish thing for a minute and wasn't totally sure. I decided that British includes all of great britain which includes england, ireland, and wales even if much of the irish might wish they were not included??? If we said english, I wouldn't include the irish riders. I am sure this will all be clarified by someone from that side of the pond soon enough.
Before we get taught a geography lesson, let's include the Irish. I think Phil would say "The English speaking riders," but then we would have to include Bauer, Phil Anderson, Lemond, Armstrong , or the forgotten Andy Hampsten. But let's keep this to the islands off the European coast.
I would have to say Sean Kelly. He could do it all. One of my favorite cycling pics is the sprint of the 1989 Worlds in which the story was Lemond. But Sean was in the final sprint picture. He was always in the final picture of most races. All season long. Just as Zabel is today. And hopefully Boonen is tomorrow. Complete riders.
And to me , there is an argument to why a complete rider is a "better" rider then a specialist. They say a TT is the race of truth. I would argue that. At least as it applies to a road rider vs a TT'er. A "better" rider should be able to sprint with everyone but the specialists. He should be able to solo off the front and win from 30 km out. He should be able to climb well enough not to lose time to a pure climber. And be able to do this all in a single day.
And he should be able to descend the mountains. That is a skill not talked about very often. Kelly could do all these things very well. And on some days, he could do it better then anyone.
The Grand tours are a form of "specialty riders" if you ask me. They must have the ability to recover quickly to win a Tour. And they must be able to TT. But when they can win the overall jersey and still not have won a stage, that tells me something. Great riders, but not always the best riders.
And Kelly gave the true meaning to the term "Kelly Green," when discussing the TDF points jersey. In the final 20 km of any race he participated in, he was feared.
 
DiabloScott said:
Please forgive Wolf and Barn and accept my apology on the part of all geographical/political aware Americans.

Simpson was before my time and I must admit I didn't immediately think of him when I read the question. I thought of Robert Millar, but now I'll go with Tommy.
I was aware. I was being polite but more so I was hoping to open a very interesting thread to include "English speaking riders, " without having to include Lemond & Armstrong. "Continental Influenced" rider types. But I still go back to Reg Harris. Four World championships on the Track which the Great Britains have had excellent success. And not to bring the subject of dope up, but Simpson did die with three vials in his rear pocket.
And I do not need anyone to apologize for me being an "unaware political American." International students was the basis of my pub's business the past 4 years. My girlfriend teaches International Studies at the local university. I have a set of twin boys that live with their Greek mother outside of Athens. My oldest daughter is in the process of marrying a Irish citizen. My youngest daughter studied International business and since graduating from university is considering a job in Germany.
 

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