YOUR assistance please

[ClockworkOrange]

It's kind of cycling related.

I need your help, I pedal around on my ol' faithful Orange Clockwork but I know nothing of famous riders/cyclists.

Please and this is needed for a specific reason ;) who are the most highly rated male riders, I don't mean just the winners but the nice guys and the ones with the best bods!

Obviously I've heard of Lance Armstrong but that's about it.

Thanks for any input. :)

Clock http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/3145716824_a8962e52f8_o.gif

[indysteel]

Your question covers a lot of territory. Over what time frame (current or historical) and in what category (sprinters, climbers, general classification, time trialers)? As for their bodies, they all have good bodies (although the climbers are too skinny for my tastes). As for who's "nice," are you talking who does and doesn't dope (or to be more accurate, who has and hasn't been caught?).

[jobob]

No kidding, what a wide open question! :)

But my vote for all-around good guy would be Jens Voigt of CSC (now Saxo Bank). Articulate, an advocate for the riders, personable, and as far as I can tell a real hoot. He's at the top of my list of riders I'd love to have a beer with. :cool:

[Veronica]

Eddie Merckx gets my vote as the best cyclist ever. He won the Tour de France five times, won all the classics except Paris-Tours, won the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España.

Lance is incredible, but he trained for one and one event only. His Tour team was devoted to one thing only - Lance winning the Tour. He's never failed a drug test, but nearly all his major competitors have. Some of the guys who were on his team have... I am not convinced he was racing clean.

Dave Zabriskie has always struck me as being very funny.

Christian Vande Velde seems like a nice guy and genuinely pleased with his success, not like he felt like he deserved it, more like he knew he had earned it.

I like David Millar because he admitted his drugging and worked hard to come back from it. Both of which say a lot about his character. he also had a really funny article in some magazine I read.

Veronica

[Selkie]

I like Thor.

But I consider all of them too skinny for me.

[lunacycles]

There's Alberto Contador--a scrawny little spanish guy on the same team as Lance, won the Tour two years ago and has won a lot of the big stage races, has been considered by many as Lance's successor. There is of course George "The Chin" Hincapie, loyal Armstrong teammate for many years, a great classics rider (like Paris Roubaix where he has taken some epic falls, including one where he was holding his handlebars in mid air for a few terrifying seconds after his steerer broke!). There is Robbie McEwen, a scrappie little Aussie who can outsprint and outsmart almost anyone, hunky Thor Hushovd who has been mentioned--a sprinter type; there's Levi Leipheimer, who's American and always a Tour contender, but really boring to watch (can you say wheelsucker); there are lots of great Spaniards today, but most are considered clever dopers--including Alejandro Valverde and Ivan Basso, and there is that British phenom who won a ton of the big sprint stages last year in the Tour, is only like 23, and who seems a great ambassador for the sport, Mark Cavendish.

There are so many if you follow the sport, and they all have their times of year in which they excel, their strengths and weaknesses. Lance IS considered the greatest Tour rider by many, but no one would ever consider him the best all around, as he indeed spent the entire year (post cancer) focusing on the Tour and little else.

[indysteel]

Eddie Merckx gets my vote as the best cyclist ever. He won the Tour de France five times, won all the classics except Paris-Tours, won the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España.

Lance is incredible, but he trained for one and one event only. His Tour team was devoted to one thing only - Lance winning the Tour. He's never failed a drug test, but nearly all his major competitors have. Some of the guys who were on his team have... I am not convinced he was racing clean.

Dave Zabriskie has always struck me as being very funny.

Christian Vande Velde seems like a nice guy and genuinely pleased with his success, not like he felt like he deserved it, more like he knew he had earned it.

I like David Millar because he admitted his drugging and worked hard to come back from it. Both of which say a lot about his character. he also had a really funny article in some magazine I read.

Veronica

+1000 for Christian Vande Velde and David Millar. I really enjoyed Millar's blog for the 2008 Tour, too.

[jobob]

and there is that British phenom who won a ton of the big sprint stages last year in the Tour, is only like 23, and who seems a great ambassador for the sport, Mark Cavendish. While Cavendish is an extremely talented sprinter, I don't think he's such a great ambassador for the sport. He often throws temper tantrums in his races (at least, races that I saw on vs), and I saw him be very snotty with a race official before his start at the Tour of CA prologue.

He *is* a young pup and I suppose a lot of his attitude can be chalked up to his age, or lack of. Hopefully he'll mature gracefully. :cool:

[violette]

Ok...but who is the most gorgeous one?

[snapdragen]

Ok...but who is the most gorgeous one?

The Lion King - Mario Cipollini.

[Iris616]

Saul Raisin.

He suffered a terrible crash. He doesn't give up though. He has started the "Raisin Hope" foundation which supports various not for profit organizations.He's done atleast one triathlon since his injury. He just seems like a nice guy.

[redrhodie]

http://www.cyclinghalloffame.com/riders/rankings/ranking_combined_overall.txt

This should help! I'll quiz you later, so you better study!

Eddy Merckx is all you need to know, though :D

[redrhodie]

Ok...but who is the most gorgeous one?

Bobby Julich. I'm going to miss him.

[OakLeaf]

Fabian Cancellara. With a name like Fabian, time trialist's legs and an Italian accent, what else do you need to know? ;)

[Selkie]

Fabian Cancellara. With a name like Fabian, time trialist's legs and an Italian accent, what else do you need to know? ;)

Agree (he and Thor - my dream team!! ;) )

[Trekhawk]

Fabian Cancellara. With a name like Fabian, time trialist's legs and an Italian accent, what else do you need to know? ;)

Yep got to love Fabian. :)
Stuart O'Grady is another favourite of mine. Tour de France stage winner, Olympic gold medalist and winner of the Hell of the North (Paris - Roubaix) in 2007. He also set up and supports an Australian junior cycling team.

[Veronica]

I forgot about O'Grady (HTFU dude!). I love this picture of him from the 2006 Tour of California. I was standing a little further down the road than Thom and the look on his face when he turned around was pretty funny - kind of shocked disbelief.


http://tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/tour-of-ca-2006/stage_two_12.jpg


Cancellara is in the middle.

Veronica

[lunacycles]

While Cavendish is an extremely talented sprinter, I don't think he's such a great ambassador for the sport. He often throws temper tantrums in his races (at least, races that I saw on vs), and I saw him be very snotty with a race official before his start at the Tour of CA prologue.

Well he IS a sprinter! I didn't know he's acted badly, that's too bad, but, honestly, what bike racer at that level behaves like an adult on a regular basis?:p I guess I was going by what I had heard about his work ethic, his approach to team work, that kind of thing, plus he was very gracious during interviews during the T de F which is where I saw him the most.

At least I didn't nominate Ricardo Ricco for Ambassador!

[smurfalicious]

Hmmm, I care not what anyone says Tyyyy-luuuuhr makes me swoon. The guys in the office say he's ugly but I think they're jealous. Okay, maybe you have to be into big ears, freckles and noses that appear to have been broken several times. I like imperfectly gorgeous guys, what can I say? He's got really pretty eyes and pretty long eyelashes.

DZ is cool as hell and I think his DZ Nuts chamois cream pretty much shows he's got personality and a sense of humor.

Oh and my dear Contador. Goodness gracious those eyes on the cover of Velonews this month. Yowza! He looks so tiny around Lance, the picture of them at the press conference together seems like Lance is telling him, "Good job, sport!" On the bike though, he looks fierce and huge. Normally a guy like that would make me want to pluck his eye brows, but I'm alright with his.

And who could forget my hometown boy Chris Horner? Hello, carrying another rider bike and all up a 2km hill. A rider who isn't even your teammate? Yeah, that's what all the sunshine and fresh mountain air in Central Oregon does to you, it makes you nice and apparently able to climb with the weight of another rider on your bike.

Keeping with the hometown boys theme, while not a road racer Carl 'The Deckerator' Decker is pretty darn cute, and tall, and wonderful. He races MTB and 'cross. When I was ready to die at my first race and was bonked out, hoofing it along a fire road he checked to make sure I was okay and offered lots of encouragement.

[ClockworkOrange]

Hmmm, I care not what anyone says Tyyyy-luuuuhr makes me swoon.............

Now listen up smufalicious!

Me in my infinite wisdom, thought the name was Ty Luhr............and could not find anything about him. :rolleyes:

Thanks to redrhodie giving me a website to check out, I came across his name, Tyler Hamilton. :D:D:D Oh yes, he is rather nice.

Well, thanks to all, I think I have more than enough ideas for names.

Clock

[lunacycles]

Ty luhr is well known as the nicest bike racer to come out of Boulder. And the feat he pulled off--when--4 yrs ago?--when he ended up 4th place in the Tour de France after dislocating his shoulder in the first stage..he is definitely a hero. I know folks who raced with him in his collegiate days, who attest to his character but also to his determination, and the doping scandals which have tattered his reputation during these latter years, it is sort of a shame. He is a really, genuinely, a good guy. He lost his marriage over this, plus he loves dogs. I remember driving through Nederland, CO a few years back (right before the sh__ hit the fan) and seeing him getting ready to ride solo down Boulder Canyon. I honked liked a wanker as I passed, and he still managed to make eye contact and smile and wave. So big ears and all, he is a class act..imo.

[smurfalicious]

Now listen up smufalicious!

Me in my infinite wisdom, thought the name was Ty Luhr............and could not find anything about him. :rolleyes:

Oh, sorry. I've been spelling it in that swoony schoolgirl fashion since I hopped on these boards in like, 2004? I picked that up from someone else but the crush came kitted with my 2004 Gary Fisher Big Sur GS. I had no choice. Why a hardtail mountain bike came with a crush on a roadie I have no clue, but you can't fight these things. =)


Ty luhr is well known as the nicest bike racer to come out of Boulder. And the feat he pulled off--when--4 yrs ago?--when he ended up 4th place in the Tour de France after dislocating his shoulder in the first stage..he is definitely a hero.

ZOMG yes! One of my coworkers was waiting for some friends outside of Ward and Tyler rolled toward him with a foot unclipped, long before he reached him, to make sure he was okay.

Another gal I work with said her teammate flatted on his street and he stopped to help her. I guess he had his dogs with him and she was a little freaked out over the dogs, but more than anything trying to squash her squeals and giggles once she realized who he was.

My part time gig is at a natural pet foods store and the owner of the store we merged with says he and Haven used to be regular customers. I've yet to cross paths with him. Since I hate climbing and love country I ride east of here so I guess I'll have to take everyone's word for what a doll he is.

Okay and wearing Tugboat's tags just breaks my heart. My mutts mean the world to me so I can only imagine what it must be like to have the buddy who saw you through your racing career go. Hank used to mountain bike with me and those were always the best rides.

*sigh* Is sooooo pretty. Needs girl to remind him to use sunblock so he won't be in magazine photo shoots looking like Rudolph. Girl who can cook a mean steak and won't let him wear black and lime green socks with red, white and blue kit. Girl who thinks Ski-Ball is therapeutic but a weekend camping is better. Is just saying. Might know girl like that. :o

So yeah +100 for Tyler's general kindness and awesomeness. -1 for inability to match his kit to his socks when sponsored by a fashion designer. 99 still ain't bad. ;)

[Trekhawk]

I forgot about O'Grady (HTFU dude!). I love this picture of him from the 2006 Tour of California. I was standing a little further down the road than Thom and the look on his face when he turned around was pretty funny - kind of shocked disbelief.


Veronica

Hey cool snap V!
Thanks for posting it.

[smilingcat]

I like the some of the past tour winners like: Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain, and Jacques Anquetil. I really loved watching Miguel Indurain the train ride. He was so awwsome. Then there is super Mario Chaporini (sp). hmm hmm mmm....

I was bit angry when I heard that LeMonde got shot in his back while out hunting. If it weren't for that accident, he could have gone to win 4th and maybe even the 5th tour. Such shame...

I also liked the 7-Eleven team, Coors Classic, and the Du Pont classic. I remeber a notable crash by a russian rider on a downhill leg in Coors Classic.

I need to stop daydreaming and start riding again. I think my back is more or less back to nermal. :D Reminds me... I've got to make arrangement to tag along with local team. :D :D Should I become an attached rider? meh... Who wants an old over weight woman riding anyway. As always talk is sooo cheap.

Oh Saul Raisin, poor guy. Got used, abused and spit out by the "system". Gets clean then that crash. Well I can relate to the crash... its in the past so...

just do it!!! RIDE!!!
smilingcat

[PinkBike]

+1000 for Jens Voigt. i love jens!! he is the nicest guy. i got a picture with him at the tour of california and he was so gracious.

cute? tom boonen!
best legs? pick a sprinter
nicest? jens, chris horner
"best"? alberto by far
really really good? fabian cancellara, mauricio soler, andy schleck, levi leipheimer, alessandro pettachi, andreas kloden, mark cavendish, david rebellin, alejandro valverde
best ever? merckx by a landslide
best of the dopers? stefan schumacher, ivan basso, jan ullrich, ricco and piepoli
standoffish? levi and lance

[malkin]

What? Nobody mentioned Bob Roll?!

[sgtiger]

What? Nobody mentioned Bob Roll?!

While not a looker, in his own goofy way I think he's kind of charming. But I've been known to go for the funny/geeky guys.;):D

[ClockworkOrange]

The deadline for obtaining the information was last night, so after very careful consideration, bearing in mind I know nothing about these guys, I have gone purely on how good they look on a bike and of course their bodies! :rolleyes: One thing I do love about the road riders, is the fantastic colours they wear.

I have chosen five:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/3159381762_a636733caa_o.jpg

Thanks so much for your help.

May the thread carry on, you guys certainly know so much.

Clock

[OakLeaf]

So when are you going to tell us what you've chosen them for? ;)

[ClockworkOrange]

So when are you going to tell us what you've chosen them for? ;)

I have PM'd you. :rolleyes:

Clock http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/3145716824_a8962e52f8_o.gif

[Irulan]

No Tom Boonen?

[DebTX]

I have PM'd you.

Ok, so the curiousity is killing me...
Baby names? Bike names? Office pool? :confused::confused:

[smurfalicious]

Ok, so the curiousity is killing me...
Baby names? Bike names? Office pool? :confused::confused:

Ha ha me too! Maybe there are fantasy bike teams like fantasy football?