SB Nation User Blog: The Team Chef

The Top 25 Cyclists of the Modern Era

The Team Chef — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:48:21 -0000

I had hoped to post this before the season was in full swing, but it just didn’t happen.

For those who haven’t visited my site, The Virtual Musette (non-commercial FWIW), or haven’t stopped by in a while, I have completed a scoring system used to rank the Top 25 cyclists of the Modern Era (1938 - present); think of it as a backwards-looking VDS competition of sorts.

The results were posted about a month ago, and the list has been making the rounds on various cycling forums. Unfortunately, most of these discussions end up devolving into name-calling, character assassination, doping, and Armstrong tangents. Of course, there is nothing wrong with discussing Lance per se, but do the Olsen twins really have to come up when discussing the hierarchy of the greatest cyclists of all time?

Since the PdC gang is about the only group where intelligent conversation can be had without the incessant childish behavior found on so many other fan forums, I am posting the results here.

I’ve provided the results of the Top 50 (which haven’t even been published on my site), but I do have one request – before you have a beef with a particular cyclist’s rank, please review the method for calculating the points (by and large the results of victories in the big races). Here is the link for Scoring, Part 1 (the races), and here is the one for Scoring, Part 2 (special adjustments). The Top 50 list on the flip...

1. Eddy Merckx	410.5
2. Bernard Hinault	232.5
3. Fausto Coppi	219.5
4. Gino Bartali	213.0
5. Jacques Anquetil	184.0
6. Rik Van Looy	152.0
7. Sean Kelly	146.5
8. Roger De Vlaeminck	139.5
9. Francesco Moser	131.5
10. Felice Gimondi	114.0
11. Lance Armstrong	114.0
12. Louison Bobet	109.5
13. Miguel Indurain	98.0
14. Freddy Maertens	97.5
15. Ferdi Kubler	96.0
16. Joop Zoetemelk	91.5
17. Tony Rominger	89.5
18. Laurent Jalabert	88.5
19. Fiorenzo Magni	87.0
20. Giuseppe Saronni	83.0
21. Erik Zabel	81.0
22. Rik Van Steenbergen	73.5
23. Raymond Poulidor	69.0
24. Jan Janssen	65.0
25. Greg Lemond	65.0
26. Mario Cipollini	63.5
27. Luis Ocana	59.5
28. Laurent Fignon	58.5
29. Franco Bitossi	56.0
30. Federico Bahamontes	55.5
31. Paolo Bettini	55.0
32. Charly Gaul	53.5
33. Johan Museeuw	53.0
34. Jan Ullrich	52.0
35. Jan Raas	51.0
36. Lucien Van Impe	50.0
37. Alberic Schotte	49.5
38. Moreno Argentin	48.5
39. Stephen Roche	48.5
40. Hugo Koblet	48.0
41. Claudio Chiapucci	48.0
42. Gianni Bugno	47.5
43. Alex Zulle	46.0
44. Michele Bartoli	44.0
45. Walter Godefroot	42.5
46. Herman Van Springel	41.5
47. Charly Mottet	41.0
48. Alberto Contador	39.5
49. Fred De Bruyne	37.0
50. Tom Boonen	37.0

Erik Zabel, the real Iron Man

The Team Chef — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 02:14:09 -0000

The November issue of Cycle Sport mentioned that Erik Zabel had completed all three Grand Tours this year. Somehow, amidst all the end of the season hoopla (and The Second Coming), I overlooked this amazing accomplishment. Once again, another reason to admire the recently retired legend. The magazine also pointed out that "Ete" had completed 23 of the 25 Grand Tours in which he started. Wow! So, here is the burning question of the day - does this make Zabel the record holder for most completed Grand Tours in a career? I can't seem to find the answer anywhere. Please, someone tell me they know the answer to this one or else I'm going to lose sleep over this unresolved bit of trivia.

Trivia Monday starts on November 3rd.

The Team Chef — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:33:59 -0000

The Cycling Revealed Trivia Contest will kick off on the first Monday in November.

For those who haven't joined in on the fun before, here's how it works: At the beginning of each week from Nov. 3 -March 30, Cycling Revealed posts a five question quiz. Usually the "test" is of the multiple choice variety, but sometimes you will have to fill in the blank (spelling does matter, so you better brush up on your Italian riders, and all those who need to buy a vowel). You will have 3 minutes to complete each quiz, so there will be no time to Google an anwer. Each quiz is worth 15 points, and the leader board is periodically updated, usually at least once a month.

The link can be found here, which you should bookmark, as you won't be able to register until the first quiz is posted. There are some sample trivia quizzes available right now, and I would suggest taking these, especially if you haven't done this before.

When you do register, make sure that next to your online name you place "(PdC)," that way we will know who here deserves bragging rights as King or Queen of Monday Trivia.

Elvisgoat took the PdC honors last year, but just barely, as Tifosa finished only four points in arrears. Yours truly would have finished in third place, had I registered under the PdC banner, which I will certainly do this year.

I'll probably send out another reminder once the first contest is posted.

Good luck!

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention - you don't have to take the quiz on Monday, but you do need to get it done sometime during the week before the next one is posted.

The Tour of California: AKA The Podium Cafe Gathering (Part Deux)

The Team Chef — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:52:52 -0000

Well, since Drew brought this up the other day, I'll chime in with my two pennies.

Everyone has been talking about getting together earlier in the week, either in Nor Cal, Solvang or the LA area. Does anyone have an interest in getting together for the last stage mountain top finish on Palomar (Sunday the 22nd)?

This should be the most decisive stage in the ToC's history, and may just treat us to a nice little grudge match between The Floyd and The Second Coming of HWMNBN.

I'm certainly not trying to talk folks out of any plans that might already be in the works, but I live in San Marcos, which is just within spitting distance of the finish (about 25 miles). I'm not missing this for the world. How often do we get the chance to see the Pros race up a Cat 1 or HC climb in America? (and at the end of a stage race, for good measure). This is going to be a PARTY! and I'd love to meet some of you.

Northern San Diego County has some of the best riding in all of So CA. The stage starts in Rancho Bernardo, which is just north of San Diego. I'm not sure where the cyclists are going to stay while they are in the area, but I'm sure there will be better opportunities to get up close and personal with some of the stars once the race is over, and they are not quite as stressed. I'd love to get a group together to tackle the mountain the day before (we'll all be too hung over to make the attempt on Monday)

So, who is game?

Vino to race Olympics

The Team Chef — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:52:40 -0000

As anyone who has read my Astanagate article ( http://www.thevirtualmusette.com/posts/2008/2/22/astanagate.html) will know, this news ( http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Vinokourov_planning_to_return_at_the_Olympics_article_254282.htm l)comes as no surprise to me.

Vino's suspension was carefully orchestrated to allow for his participation in the Olympics. It should also come as no great shock when he also participates in the World Champs.

To the best of my knowledge, the UCI never appealed his 1 year sanction to CAS, so he'll be free to ride after July 20th.

Here's the million dollar question: Will he be returning to Astana? If so, will he be at the Vuelta? Oh what a tangled web...

Who is your biggest VDS disappointment?

The Team Chef — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:30:25 -0000

Sure, there's lots of racing left in the Spring season, and plenty of VDS points up for grabs, but I have to vent.

I spent 10 points on Alexander Kolobnev based on his 2nd place in last year's Worlds, and his win in Eroica; he had Classics stud written all over him.

It's a little hard to score points when your guy isn't included on one startlist that is part of the VDS. Thank you CSC.

I feel screwed, and I want my points refunded and applied to another rider (of course I'll take all this back if he scores well for me later).

Who is your biggest disappointment to date?

Oh, to add insult to injury, Sam San is also on my team. Now that he's aiming for the Tour, there will be no hope of seeing him on form until at least the Dauphine.

Don't get me started with Andy Schlek missing the Giro...

Can I just start over?

Let Levi Cry (A British parody)

The Team Chef — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:40:25 -0000

I'm not sure anyone has mentioned this in a post somewhere, but it is funny as hell.

WARNING! Not safe for work.

http://www.deraileduk.com/letlevicry/