FAV.5 RIDERS OF ALL TIME.

[Flying_Monkey]

Fabio Parra (who along with Luis Herrera, who got me excited about cycling, and the TdF in particular, in the 1980s - people forget how those Columbian climbers threatened to overturn the European dominance in pro-cycling without any of the financial backing)

Marco Pantani (yes, I know but at his best he was wonderful to watch accelerate up hills)

Robert Millar (undoubtedly the toughest male British climber)

Jacques Anquetil (just for those great nostalgic pictures when cycling ruled France - you've got to love the style)

Shinichi and Koji Fukushima (that's two people, but the Fukushima brothers kinda go together - they are lovely guys and just total living legends of Japanese cycling - see here).

 

[Noodley]

Robert Millar, by a long way my favourite rider of all time.

Then I'd probably look at:

Hinault - for being, well, Hinault
Koblet - for 1950s 'romance', star quality, style, and tragedy
Gilbert - my current favourite rider, for ability and class
Casar - no other reason than I just like him

 

[I am Spartacus]

Lance Armstrong
Malcolm Elliott
Mark Cavendish
Chris Boardman
Greg Lemond (pre various drug rants but cant think of anyone else)

You disappoint me thought it was going to be


Armstrong
Armstrong
Armstrong
Armstrong
Armstrong

 

[lukesdad]

Victoria Pendleton she's my fave, I can't think of any others...

Dont think anyone can argue with that choice.

 

[rich p]

I find this difficult because I can't divorce the liking from the letdown of finding out that Pantani and Virenque were stuffed full of PEDs when they were beating everyone else.

 

[darkstar]

Eddy Merckx- Best rider of all time IMO (Triple Crown, 34 TdF stage wins, 11 Grand Tours etc)
Lance Armstrong- Legend
Mark Cavendish- Top Sprinter
Miguel Indurain
Greg Lemond

 

[scott s10]

no doubt about it -chris boardman

 

[lukesdad]

I find this difficult because I can't divorce the liking from the letdown of finding out that Pantani and Virenque were stuffed full of PEDs when they were beating everyone else.

Yes I tend to agree,although loved watching Pantani ride,and Virenque has been described as the biggest cheat in cycling(although Vino might have something to say about that) For this they probably wouldnt be in my top 100. If I had to pick a Frenchman I think it would have to be Jalabert.

 

[Hilldodger]

Fred Wood - multi world champion at most distances on both bicycle and tricycle in the 1880's

AA Zimmermann - the worlds first cycling superstar and first world champion. 1880's/90's

AW Harris - was set to dominate cycling until his tragic 'accident' in 1897 at age 23.

Marshall 'Major' Taylor - the worlds first black sports superstar. 1890's/1900's.

Charley Barden - just because I'm researching his life at the momenmt. 1890's

 

[dellzeqq]

Joop Zootemelk. Crazy name, crazy guy - his victory in the Worlds at the age (iirc) 39 was just so cheeky

Francesco Moser - the most remarkably smooth style - here he is at the end of the Paris Roubaix
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2Z61UVMWio


Beryl Burton - if only for the boiled sweet episode

Victoria Pendleton - work it out!

Sean Kelly - nobody had a greater desire to win

 

[lukesdad]

Fred Wood - multi world champion at most distances on both bicycle and tricycle in the 1880's

AA Zimmermann - the worlds first cycling superstar and first world champion. 1880's/90's

AW Harris - was set to dominate cycling until his tragic 'accident' in 1897 at age 23.

Marshall 'Major' Taylor - the worlds first black sports superstar. 1890's/1900's.

Charley Barden - just because I'm researching his life at the momenmt. 1890's

Must be a "senior" member if you can remember that lot.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Must be a "senior" member if you can remember that lot.

Roger is the perhaps the UK's 'leading cycling historian (TM)'...

Major Taylor is pretty well-known now for his pioneering exploits. I have to say that I hadn't heard of any of the others...

 

[zacklaws]

Kelly Brook

 

[Dave5N]

@simonLwhatever

Good choices. Question your Kelly though - nobody but bloody nobody worked harder than Millar.#

And nobody had it harder than Obree.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

So true.

There's no need to change what I said. I have nothing against Roger, and he's certainly done a lot more for cycling in Britain than you ever have.