Greatest Cycle Rides of All Time

The first thing about selecting some of the greatest rides, is that you can almost guarantee to miss some of the classics. This not a comprehensive list, but some which have stuck in my mind (in no particular order). Feel free to suggest others in the comments.

Graeme Obree World Hour Record. 1993 – 51.596Km. Quite a few of the top riders have broken the World Hour record, Coppi, Anquetil, Merckx, Moser, Indurain, Rominger, Boardman; but Graeme Obree stands out for breaking the record in unorthodox fashion. He had no pro team behind him. He rode a bike he built himself; it included parts from a bmx bike and a washing machine. To make the record even more remarkable was the fact that Obree failed to break the record the previous day. Many journalists didn’t actually stay to cover his second attempt – they assumed this unknown Scot would fail again. But, Obree, didn’t fail – powered only by marmalade sandwiches and an unflinching desire to succeed he set a new world hour record.

Chris Boardman World Hour Record 1996 – 56.3Km. Smashing Tony Rominger’s existing record by over 1Km. Chris Boardman also beat Miguel Indurain’s 1994 record by 3Km. Although Chris Boardman was riding the ‘Superman’ position (later to be outlawed by UCI), it should not detract from the athleticism of the record. In the last 6km of the ride, Chris averaged over 57kmph

Chris Boardman during World Hour Record

Eddy Merckx 1969. Tour of Flanders. In the modern era of professional cycling, it is argued the excitement of the racing is often diluted because riders are subject to the team orders given through their earpieces. In 1969, Eddy Merckx simply rode away from the field – against the advice of his team manager. It was a typically difficult Flandrian day – raining, windy and cold. Merckx was in a leading pack with 40 miles to go when he gradually began to ride away from the others. His team manager asked Merckx if he had gone mad to attack so early? Merckx recounted, rather matter of factly:

“I told him where to go, kept going and won.” ( he won by 5 minutes)

Eddy Merckx 1973 Paris Roubaix These days the great tour men don’t ride Paris Roubaix, but, it still remains the Queen of the classics – one of the most prestigious races to win. In 1973, Merckx rode away from the peleton with 70km to go. Eventually, he also dropped ‘Mr Paris Roubaix’ – Roger de Vlaemink (Roger de Vlaemink took 4 victories and 4 second places in Paris Roubaix). Merckx’s victory was widely regarded as a sublime piece of riding. L’Equipe’s headline was ‘Merckx better than Merckx.’ Jacques Goddet described ‘the Cannibal’ as “sublime: he decided everything, led everything and succeeded in everything.’

Eddy Merckx

Eddy Merckx 1969 Tour de France Stage 17. Merckx was already in yellow with a commanding lead. On a descent through the Pyranees, Merckx rode away from the pack,=, before the bottom Merckx was 3 minutes in the lead. For the next 85 miles, Merckx simply rode away from the rest of the peloton finishing at Mourenx_Ville-Nouvelle 8 minutes ahead of the chasing peleton. Merckx was simply in a class of his own. That year, he not only won the tour, but the climbers jersey and the green points jersey.

Bernard Hinault 1980 – Liege Bastogne Liege. Hinault had already won Liege Bastogne Liege in 1977. But, the Belgian press still gave him a hard time. But, in 1980, Hinault rode away from the peleton, beating the best riders of the day (Merckx, F.Maertens, Roger de Vlaemicknk). From start to finish the race was run in blizzard conditions. After 40 miles, 100 riders had already abandoned. At one point, Hinault himself wanted to abandon, but, was persuaded to keep going by a  teammate, at least to a feeding station. Then with 55 miles to go, Hinault simply rode away from the field, by the end he had stretched his lead to a massive 9 minutes. It is said, Hinault’s hands got so cold it took 2 weeks for proper movement to return.

Fausto Coppi 1952 Stage 11 SestrièresOne could choose any number of magnificent solo breaks by Fausto Coppi. On form, he was simply in a class of his own. One epic Tour victory was during a 52 mile escape across the alps to win at the Sestriere Ski resort. The previous day he had been the first victor up the Alpe D’Huez climb. By, the finish in Paris he had 28 minutes lead over second place Stan Ockers. It was the biggest margin for any Tour. Tour winner turned journalist, Andre Leducq described the magnificent riding style of Coppi.

Fausto Coppi on right (Gino Bartali on left)

“He seems to caress the handlebars, while his torso seems fixed by screws in the saddle. His long legs stretch to the pedals like the limbs of a gazelle. At the end of each pedal stroke his ankles flex with a grace which it would be wonderful to analyse in slow motion on a cinema screen. All the moving parts turn as if in oil. His long face is like a knifeblade as  he climbs with no apparent effort, like a great artist painting a water colour.

Stephen Roche 1987 21 La Plagne

Not a stage victory, but arguably the ride which won Stephen Roche the Tour. The previous day, Delgado had attacked Roche and taken the yellow jersey at Alpe d’Huez. The following day was another chance for Delgado to stretch his lead before the final time trial. At one stage, Delgado had gained over a minute and a half. But, in the last half of the climb, Roche managed to claw back enough time to finish a few seconds behind Delgado. Roche went onto beat Delgado in the time trial and win the tour by 40 seconds.

Lance Armstrong 2003 Stage 15 – Luz Ardiden

At times, Armstrong looked imperious during his 7 tour victories. But, in 2003, he was stretched more than in any other race. On the climb to Luz Ardiden, Armstrong fell off after being entangled with a spectator. However, he recovered to not only claim the stage victory, but, also increase his lead over Ullrich. Armstrong went on to win the Tour with his narrowest margins of just over 1 minute.

2011 Tour de France

Andy Schleck attacking 60km from finish in stage 18 on the climb to Galiber, was a dramatic bid to gain the yellow jersey. It is rare a leading contender can attack so far out and hold on to win stage by two minutes. Ultimately, the stage wasn’t enough as Cadel Evans won the overall tour with an equally impressive final time trial. – Review 2011 Tour de France