Le Tour de France 2016

30 wins is something very special. Fair enough it doesn't rank alongside Mercx's five tour.wins or the fact that Eddy is the greatest rider of all time. If Cav got to 35 wins then he would be one of our sporting greats.

He won't get anywhere near Sagan though who will win 5 in a row himself, and a more direct comparison than Eddy.
 
Whilst Cav potentially breaking Mercx's record would be quite some achievement and underline him as the greatest sprinter ever, I think there are other cyclists who are ahead of him in achievement, on the track certainly, likes of Hoy and on the road by Froome, however Wiggin's palmares has him by far and away ahead of all British all comers whether on the track or road, and Sir Brad is our greatest ever cyclist and one of our greatest sportsmen.
Beryl Burton is our greatest ever cyclist.
 
Agreed but it is the competition that Cavendish is in, in effect.

Not really, Sagan is all on his own for green, the sprinters havent even bothered with the intermediate sprints this year, as they cant match Sagan in the puncher stages or his ability to ride in breakaways and mop up points. Its all about stage wins for Cav, the green jersey isnt a sprinters jersey anymore, Sagan's effectively seen to that. A bit of a freak of nature.
 
In addition to Cav's Tour stage wins, World Chamionship Golds and Rainbow Jersey win, his personality shines in an era of media coached automatons

For several years, Cav seemed to be fighting his demons but still cam across as a top guy. Even now, the personality of the more at ease Cav shines through more than the vast majority of sports stars.

In comparison, I find Wiggo a bit irritating - even though Brad's cycling achievement are extraordinary and like Cav he speaks his mind. It might be the Jam tribute act thing.
 
In addition to Cav's Tour stage wins, World Chamionship Golds and Rainbow Jersey win, his personality shines in an era of media coached automatons

For several years, Cav seemed to be fighting his demons but still cam across as a top guy. Even now, the personality of the more at ease Cav shines through more than the vast majority of sports stars.

In comparison, I find Wiggo a bit irritating - even though Brad's cycling achievement are extraordinary and like Cav he speaks his mind. It might be the Jam tribute act thing.

Cav has won 1 world championship on the road which is the same number as Wiggins, however Wiggins has won numerous World championships on the track and 6 Olympic medals, 4 golds over 3 Olympics, Cav hasnt got anywhere as yet and 1 maillot jaune, trumps every other jersey Cav has won and then some.

Cav by his own admission can be hard work and he is a nightmare when things arent going for him, at times his personality has shined because he has been a spoilt brat. Not so much now he is a settled man with kids, winning isnt everything in his life anymore but he wasnt liked in the peloton and for good reason for years.
 
Cav has won 1 world championship on the road which is the same number as Wiggins, however Wiggins has won numerous World championships on the track and 6 Olympic medals, 4 golds over 3 Olympics, Cav hasnt got anywhere as yet and 1 maillot jaune, trumps every other jersey Cav has won and then some.

Cav by his own admission can be hard work and he is a nightmare when things arent going for him, at times his personality has shined because he has been a spoilt brat. Not so much now he is a settled man with kids, winning isnt everything in his life anymore but he wasnt liked in the peloton and for good reason for years.

Yes I realise that but to the best of my knowledge Cav has never been excluded from the Tour to safeguard team spirit like Sky did to Brad a couple of years ago. Brad deserved to be treated better IMHO.

It's in the nature of the star performer to be a bit selfish. Winning those sprints takes a certain personality (maybe Chris Hoy is an exception to that on the track) and so does surviving in the mountains. Froomey played a reluctant support act to Brad and maybe Wiggo wouldn't have won the Tour without Sky brining him back into line.

Nobody is perfect so if we want to combine cycling achievements and positive personality, then maybe Hoy stands out above our other modern greats.
 

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top
  AdBlock Detected
Bluemoon relies on advertising to pay our hosting fees. Please support the site by disabling your ad blocking software to help keep the forum sustainable. Thanks.