johnnytapia
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The Pro Road Cycling Thread
- Thread starter Shands
- Start date
johnnytapia
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He’d have to win all 5 Monuments, the Worlds and the Giro/Vuelta to be even mentioned in same breath as Merckx. Then win them all several times. Then do the Hour. Merckx IMHO will never ever be matched. Pog still has some distance to be even ranked with Hinault. All my opinion and plenty might say he’s worthy of being spoken about in their bracket but Merckx is / was just something else. 7 MSRs!!!!Yep, he’s done 3 Monuments now, 2 to go!
If he turns out to have a blemish-free career - and let’s be honest, in pro/cycling you’d be crazy not to put in that caveat - to win multiple Grand Tours and all five big ones, could make him the greatest ever.
Do you reckon he could win San Remo and Roubaix at some point?
Both courses lack enough climbing, so I reckon they’d very tough for him …
johnnytapia
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I’d put him above Van Looy and De Vlamaniek because of his Grand Boucle wins.Yep, he’s done 3 Monuments now, 2 to go!
If he turns out to have a blemish-free career - and let’s be honest, in pro/cycling you’d be crazy not to put in that caveat - to win multiple Grand Tours and all five big ones, could make him the greatest ever.
Do you reckon he could win San Remo and Roubaix at some point?
Both courses lack enough climbing, so I reckon they’d very tough for him …
But def behind Hinault and Merckx. For now...! (And he’s never ever catching Eddie. Ever.)
I agree, last years was epic. Overall though, perhaps it’s the woman in me (oo’er) I don’t half miss Peter Sagan now he’s past his best;)Yep, Easter Sunday for the rest but Christmas Day for cycling fans. Lots of cat & mouse at the moment to try and get a breakaway - conditions look great for the riders (though as a viewer I’d like some mud!)
chesterbells
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Good replies, cheers.I’d put him above Van Looy and De Vlamaniek because of his Grand Boucle wins.
But def behind Hinault and Merckx. For now...! (And he’s never ever catching Eddie. Ever.)
There’s always my caveat of course, but that applies to the those names from the past too of course. If I was around following the sport at the time of Merckx I would have been highly doubtful/suspicious of his performances - for one rider to be that dominant of those variety of challenges just seems (is) unnatural.
chesterbells
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Yep - and a shame to hear just now he’s withdrawn :-(I agree, last years was epic. Overall though, perhaps it’s the woman in me (oo’er) I don’t half miss Peter Sagan now he’s past his best;)
It’s a shame when riders carry on past their best isn’t it? Cycling is so unforgiving in that way; you just wish they’d leave at the top.
Thanks for the update, I wasn’t aware. I suppose that’s just the fight in them, never say die spirit. I’m dipping in and out of it, every half an hour.Yep - and a shame to hear just now he’s withdrawn :-(
It’s a shame when riders carry on past their best isn’t it? Cycling is so unforgiving in that way; you just wish they’d leave at the top.
johnnytapia
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Maybe Merckx was so dominant because there wasn’t the same level of competition. Hinault is still my all-time favourite rider. Such a leader, warrior. His LBL win my favourite win of anyone ever. 53 x 12 in the sleet, snow and a balaclava!!Good replies, cheers.
There’s always my caveat of course, but that applies to the those names from the past too of course. If I was around following the sport at the time of Merckx I would have been highly doubtful/suspicious of his performances - for one rider to be that dominant of those variety of challenges just seems (is) unnatural.
I’ve had to stop watching today but I’ll go MVP to win
johnnytapia
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MVP , killer ride.Maybe Merckx was so dominant because there wasn’t the same level of competition. Hinault is still my all-time favourite rider. Such a leader, warrior. His LBL win my favourite win of anyone ever. 53 x 12 in the sleet, snow and a balaclava!!
I’ve had to stop watching today but I’ll go MVP to win
chesterbells
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Well, nearly here: First Grand Tour of the season underway tomorrow, with the battle for the greatest trophy in sport, The Giro D’Italia.
It looks like being the Remco vs Roglic Show, and personally I’ll be rooting for the Belgian wonder. Either way, just hope neither rider is taken out prematurely by an accident.
A lot of time trialling on this route, including an insane ITT penultimate stage on Sat 27th May, with 22% ramps.
It looks like being the Remco vs Roglic Show, and personally I’ll be rooting for the Belgian wonder. Either way, just hope neither rider is taken out prematurely by an accident.
A lot of time trialling on this route, including an insane ITT penultimate stage on Sat 27th May, with 22% ramps.