Originally posted by Espada9
OK, I’m going out on a limb on this one, I’m sure I’ll upset plenty of overnight cycling fans but Lance Armstrong doesn’t even compare to Miguel Indurain let alone Hinault or Merckx when comparing all time greatest rider.
The title “best ever” should be reserved for the most complete rider who won the highest number of great races, not the most commercially viable or the one who made the most cash, or appeared on the most TV commercials.
The Tour is ONE RACE, and does not define the sport. I was in France in 98’ on Les Deux Alpes to see Pantani kill all, and saw the next day’s stage roll through Grenoble, and I would have to say I would rather see the Vuelta or Giro in person, the tour is soooo commercialized and crowded. It’s as if it’s no longer about cycling, but rather consumerism and popularity.
I’ve heard plenty of good arguments on this thread comparing the modern era against the past. As for me, I would much rather be a pro rider now than years ago. The simple fact is that the equipment we have now (food, clothing, equipment, support staff, salary, medical technology, post career opportunity, etc…) is so much more superior to that of the past that I often see the modern pros as pampered overpaid self-indulgent crybabies.
There are a few modern day champions who impress the hell out of me (aside from their amazing palmares) Indurain, Jalabert, Kelly, Musseuw.
It’s the way they carry themselves on and off the bike. Never complaining when they loose, never taking credit for their victories, suffering like a man in all weather conditions from Feb to Oct.
In order to be one of the great champions (Merckx, Hinault, Acuatiel, Indurain) it almost seems like you need to have a single minded focus on winning, almost like an addiction or obsession. It’s probably an advantage to be a little selfish or shallow so NOTHING gets in your way.
What impressed me about Indurain is that he never seemed to loose his humanity while still slaying all. I wonder what Miguel would have accomplished if he had that selfish obsession with winning? Physiologically he was vastly superior to his rivals, it often looked like he wasn’t even trying.
Tale a look at this website and tell me what you think about his palmares
http://www.miguelindurain.net/
Lance doesn’t even come close.
I've discussed this point elsewhere on this Forum but now that there is a bit of traffic on this subject, I feel that it is pertinent to comment once again.
Espada9 is absolutely correct in everything posted above.
The apologists for the modern riders (and I suggest modern is from 1996-onwards) bleat on about the need for specialisation
etc.
Utter rubbish.
Before people starting posting about how "stressful" and how "demanding" the sport is nowadays, I suggest that they first
acquaint themselves with the history of our sport and read about people like Kelly,Roche, LeMond, Robert Millar, going to France with nothing - no language, no money, no contacts.
That's pressure !
Go back further and look at how cyclists lived hand to mouth
(Tom Simpson book "Put me back on my Bike").
Read about Bartali and Coppi : how they had to race to earn money to live.
That's pressure !
Or how about the boys back in the early 1900's : starting stages
at 3.00am in the morning : having to cycle TDF routes totalling
5,500 kilomteres
That's pressure !
Of course Ullrich and Armstrong are NOWEHERE close to the all time greats.
Armstrong and Ullrich's palmares is dwarfed by Merckx, Coppi,
Hinault, Indurain, Anquetil, Kelly, LeMond, Bobet, Van Looy, Van Steenbergen.
Indurain would crush both Armstrong and Ullrich in his (and their)
prime.
As for Eddy and Bernard - well it's not worth going on about what they would do to both of these three week per year cyclists, in
any race.
The so-called pressure of the modern era is quite frankly laughable.
Yes, they are expected to perform - FOR THREE WEEKS EVERY YEAR.
They are over paid and under used, cyclists : good for them if they can get away with that but as regards commanding respect of the fans - they don't command the respect of this fan.
