The Top 25 Cyclists of the Modern Era

Raam

Full rankings here:
http://www.thevirtualmusette.com/posts/2009/2/8/the-top-25-cyclists-of-the-modern-era-tvm-official-rankings.html

This is how the results were determined: http://www.thevirtualmusette.com/posts/category/scoring-races-and-adjustments

I had read that Sean is regard as 4th best, but he gets 7th here.

1. Eddy Merckx, Begium (1966-1978)
"The Cannibal"
Total points: 410.50

2. Bernard Hinault, France (1975-1986)
"The Badger"
Total points: 232.50

3. Fausto Coppi, Italy (1939-1959)
"Il Campionissimo"
Total points: 219.5

4. Gino Bartali, Italy (1935-1954)
"Il Pio";"Il Vecchio" - The Pious; The man of Iron
Total points: 213

5. Jacques Anquetil, France (1954-1969)
"Maître Jacques"; "Monsieur Chrono" - Gentleman Jacques; Mr. Chrono
Total points: 184

6. Rik Van Looy, Belgium (1953-1969)
"The Emperor of Herentals";"Rik II"
Total points: 152

7. Sean Kelly, Ireland (1977-1994)
"King Kelly"
Total points: 146.5

8. Roger De Vlaeminck, Belgium (1969-1984)
"The Gypsy";"Mr. Paris-Roubaix"
Total points: 139.5

9. Francesco Moser, Italy (1973-1988)
"Cecco"
Total points: 131.5

10. Felice Gimondi, Italy (1965-1979)
"The Phoenix"
Total points:114 (Tied with Armstrong, but greater raw score)

Caroline_ie

Blorg - Ireland (197*- Now )
" The Sandalled cyclist "
Total points ( calculated in Mars Bars ) 4585.23

RobFowl

Looks about right, Kelly falls down inthe major tours. Have to say if he rode a better program would have won at least a few Veulta;s and maybe a Giro. Think the Tour was always going to be out of reach. I'd have thought Lemond was better than 25th, No top ten for Lance !
FWIW Hinault is the highest ranked cyclist without a doping infraction !!!

blorg

Clearly this was designed by a US-hater just to keep Armstrong out of the top ten. As any rational cycling fan would agree, the Tour de France is the pinnacle of cycling and the only race that _really_ matters.

In any case, as Armstrong has turned his attention wider this year I expect him to dominate in some of the lesser races (such as the Giro and the classics) which he deemed not worthy of him before.

The next five years will cement Armstrong's legacy as one of the greatest of all time- only Merckx comes close. Did Merckx cure cancer? I don't think so.

Chips Lovell

Did Merckx date one of the Olsen Twins? I don't think so.

TinyExplosions

Blorg, you are a legend.

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

Did Merckx date one of the Olsen Twins? I don't think so.

Well he'd have beaten them in a bike race, that's for sure.

Raam

I'd like to propose a new rule similar to the road tax you turn me on rule: every mention of Armstrong or Lance or Livestrong or any such variation gets turned into ????

I just haven't thought of what that ???? should be yet.

short circuit

Raam wrote: »

I'd like to propose a new rule similar to the road tax you turn me on rule: every mention of Armstrong or Lance or Livestrong or any such variation gets turned into ???? I shake my black non euro booties at cancer

I just haven't thought of what that ???? should be yet.

DirkVoodoo

Did everyone see what Lance did to the "Live Clean" devil in stage 4? Priceless.

Chips Lovell

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Did everyone see what Lance did to the "Live Clean" devil in stage 4? Priceless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3rjb4G8ZMI

Was that Lance?

EDIT: Just listened to the audio on it now.

Caroline_ie

Raam wrote: »

I'd like to propose a new rule similar to the road tax you turn me on rule: every mention of Armstrong or Lance or Livestrong or any such variation gets turned into ????

I just haven't thought of what that ???? should be yet.

We could all start singing Lance " I am too Sexy" Armstrong anthem ...

I'm too sexy for my my bike too sexy for my bike
So sexy it hurts
And I'm too sexy for The Tour too sexy for The Tour
de France and the Vuelta

And I'm too sexy for your Astana
Too sexy for your Discovery
No way I'm wearing the kit

I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the tarmac
Yeah on the tarmac on the tarmac yeah
I do my little turn on the tarmac ... etc...

Raam

OK, I've got it...
All mentions of Armstrong become RAAMStrong. There's no way that will annoy people.

blorg

Raam wrote: »

Well he'd have beaten them in a bike race, that's for sure.

Both of them, on a tandem. I will admit that was a little freaky but it just shows the hypnotic power of Lance's Ball. Gaze into the Ball.

Hungrycol

24. Jan Janssen, Netherlands (1962-1972)

"The Professor"

Total points: 65 (tied with Lemond, but greater raw score)

Thought Fignon (sp?) was The Professor.

16. Joop Zoetemelk, The Netherlands (1970-1987)

"The Wheelsucker"

Total points: 91.5

"The Wheelsucker" nickname isn't that flattering

Chips Lovell

I like Moser's other nickname better, "lo sceriffo", the sherrif.

The_Claw

This list shares a lot of ground with the Top 25 Stupidest Nicknames list. The Badger? Why's he called the Badger? Have you ever seen a badger on a bike? They don't even get out of bed till it's dark.

Chips Lovell

The_Claw wrote: »

This list shares a lot of ground with the Top 25 Stupidest Nicknames list. The Badger? Why's he called the Badger? Have you ever seen a badger on a bike? They don't even get out of bed till it's dark.

I always assumed it was because Hinault and badgers are both bad tempered, but according to Wikipedia:

Hinault was nicknamed Le Blaireau (the Badger) because the animal has the reputation of not letting go of his prey

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

I always assumed it was because Hinault and badgers are both bad tempered, but according to Wikipedia:

The Lion or the The Tiger would have been better. That's like calling someone The Rabbit because he can run fast when The Cheetah or The Ostrich would have been better. OK, well maybe not.

Caroline_ie

el tonto wrote: »

I always assumed it was because Hinault and badgers are both bad tempered, but according to Wikipedia:

Strangely ... calling someone a Blaireau in France is calling them a dumbarse ...

????

Caroline_ie

Raam 'the rabbit' ... that works!

Raam

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Raam 'the rabbit' ... that works!

I'm a polar bear, can't you see?

Caroline_ie

Raam wrote: »

I'm a polar bear, can't you see?

Eeerrr No I can't actually

Chips Lovell

Anyone hear Kelly's story about Hinault that he mentioned in the Tour commentary last year?

If I recall correctly, one year they were riding the Tour and the road had been blocked by protesting truck drivers. Kelly slowed down, Hinault hopped off his bike and started throwing digs.

Raam

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Eeerrr No I can't actually

<

---

that white thing over there

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

Anyone hear Kelly's story about Hinault that he mentioned in the Tour commentary last year?

If I recall correctly, one year they were riding the Tour and the road had been blocked by protesting truck drivers. Kelly slowed down, Hinault hopped off his bike and started throwing digs.

And he had a go at protesters last year too. Threw a guy from the podium.

RobFowl

Raam wrote: »

<

---

that white thing over there

Thought that was a sheep !

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

<

---

that white thing over there

I thought that was a sheep.

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

And he had a go at protesters last year too. Threw a guy from the podium.

there's videos of that on You Tube I'd say

Raam

RobFowl wrote: »

Thought that was a sheep !

el tonto wrote: »

I thought that was a sheep.

Why on earth would I have a sheep?! I don't even like sheep.

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

Why on earth would I have a sheep?! I don't even like sheep.

The nickname is confusing in that case.

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

The nickname is confusing in that case.

It's Raam, not ram. :mad:

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

It's Raam, not ram. :mad:

It's baaaa, not ba. You get my drift. Raaaaaam. /sheepvoice

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

It's baaaa, not ba. You get my drift. Raaaaaam. /sheepvoice

Hmmm, name change time methinks

RobFowl

el tonto wrote: »

It's baaaa, not ba. You get my drift. Raaaaaam. /sheepvoice

Like Laaary the Laaamb !!

Ps you know what they say about cyclists and sheep :eek:

kincsem

Yeah but, no but, Lance Armstrong is the best in the 21st century.

Eddy did his talking on the road, Lance in press conferences.

Raam

RobFowl wrote: »

Like Laaary the Laaamb !!

Ps you know what they say about cyclists and sheep :eek:

oh go on then, what do they say?