Agree with the OtherJonV. Different era.
One of the commentators said it today, Eddie is the best cyclist of all time, Cav is the best sprinter of all time.
For me it’s kind of like trying to compare Gordon Banks with Gary Linekar.
Great achievement by Cav. Mega complicated last 4kms. Cav and DQS did a great job.
For me it’s kind of like trying to compare Gordon Banks with Gary Linekar.
Maybe Pele with Linekar
Maybe Pele with Linekar
Not really. Can isn’t exactly bossing the mountains, is he? Great achievement and possible more to go. But Merckx is incomparable.
I always like to remember that when Cav wins, everyone else was trying to as well (well most of the usual suspects). It’s not a given and that is a special talent that he has. But Merckx had other talents in an abundance not seen before or since.
Or was he trying to make Cav win but with orders to win if Cav couldn’t?
Morkov went a little early but was well placed. Cav popped out after the tow and just pipped him on the line. The look down by Morkov to be sure he hadn’t won was golden in slomo. Likely a bit of team orders but also an assured place in history too. Like HTS it’s a team sport. Mark Renshaw? Can you name another great lead out man? You can now.
Not really. Can isn’t exactly bossing the mountains, is he?
Mercx is the Pele in that scenario, the maestro, the best and the winner as opposed to an excellent rider but golden boot rather than golden trophy.
Merckx is by far the greatest racing cyclist of all time, imho, followed by Coppi and then maybe Hinault/LeMond / Anquetil/ Kelly (he’s my fave so gets a bump up) / Vos
But Cav’s 34 is still a brilliant achievement.
Yeah, I’m a Kelly fan too.
Morkov and Cav born three weeks apart. Nice interview here about them working together at DQS. Like I said, now a second lead out legend.
Stats innit.
Lewis Hamilton might take all the F1 records, but does that actually mean he's better than Fangio, Senna or Schumacher?
Never compare era's.
That said, Cav is the GOAT!!
But Merckx had other talents in an abundance not seen before or since.
Well Lance had similar talents and failed a similar number of dope tests! Something that (so far) Cav hasn't been accused of, nor caught at.
EDIT.If a cyclist has been caught out failing a drugs test they have no claim to being great, they're a cheat!
One of the commentators said it today,
Eddie is the best cyclist of all time, Cav is the best sprinter of all time.
The “commentator” is question was Christian Prudhomme wasn’t it?
Merckx is ok, but he’s no Beryl
Although allegedly she was known to use liquorice while race, but that wasn’t a banned substance at the time.
Merckx is ok, but he’s no Beryl
I’d argue he’s no Vos either.
Interesting Lunge. Good challenge if nothing else.
No question Merckx was phenomenally talented (who failed at least one drugs test AFAIK) but he could have shown a little more grace!
Read any of his biogs and they'll tell you Eddie detested losing. He couldn't go more than three races without a win without getting a major strop on so just as well his win rate was over 33% at the height of his powers or he would have been impossible to deal with. So his response whilst, lacking in grace, shouldn't come as a surprise.
I get the feeling that Mark, when he stops racing, is still going to have a lot to give. His words, the way he says them, his humility. He’s come a long, long way from the callow youth when he first appeared. He could, if he chooses, to be a really quite special & unique figure. Not just in sporting terms but in ways that relate to other aspects of life. A motivational figure..
