Bernard Hinault. Doesn't really matter if it's ol' school Hinault of the late 70's or 80's on the bike or Hinault Pt Deux handing out the TdF podium asswhoopings to unruly noobs that dare to rush the stage. On the bike he attack just because he could... Such aggression hasn't been seen since sadly.
Robert Millar. The reason why I started racing. An oddball Scot who'd be up there with the first salvo of English speakers paving the way and ultimately becoming the first English speaking rider to take the King of the Mountains. His dry wit and sharp tongue in interviews matched his talent on the hills and his insight on the current state of cycling is always a good read.
Lance. F--k the haters. The lad attacked and put on a show. If he doped, then he was on the same playing field as all the other guys and they attacked about as much as dead hamsters. If he didn't dope then he brought the ass whoopings and killed it.
Contador. Attack, attack, attack.... I think we're seeing a trend here.
Wiggo. Ok, that trend was broken but he's a fellow Brit and has done it all - Olympic gold medals on the track to the Tour. Complete domination in the events he's ridden this year. He did what I thought Boardman might do.
Froome. I can't wait to see what this lad can do now he's been given the 1 spot on Sky for the Vuelta. I hope Brailsford can work his tactical magic with him in the expected battle with Contador.
Chris Boardman. From seeing him go from a junior to one of the best pursuiters and time trial riders in the history of the sport and inbetween still having the breath to give a nice "dig in" shout as he passed me more than once in a time trial was very interesting. Seeing one of the fairly local lads slay Big Mig in a prologue by more than just a couple of seconds and take 5+ minutes out of the best in the GP des Nations was both part awesome and part unbelievable... and he was always just a regular lad.