I totally agree with Dave ; the ride of the year is indeed Jan Ullrich in the timetrial of the world championships. It was the most thrilling race I had ever seen. The rider of the year is Erik Zabel ( he just never stopped winning! ) and it is true that everybody loves Armstrong mainly because he hasn't only survived cancer , but also went on winning the tour three times. He wouldn't have had as many fans as he has now, if he had never had cancer.