3 Time Tour Winners

[Polish]

Alberto may be able to join a Select Club if he wins the TdF 2010.
Only Eight riders have won the TdF at least three 3 times:

Lance Armstrong in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005
Jacques Anquetil in 1957, 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1964;
Eddy Merckx in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1974;
Bernard Hinault in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985;
Miguel Indurain in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995
Philippe Thys in 1913, 1914, and 1920;
Louison Bobet in 1953, 1954, and 1955;
Greg LeMond in 1986, 1989, and 1990.

 

[kurtinsc]

Alberto may be able to join a Select Club if he wins the TdF 2010.
Only Eight riders have won the TdF at least three 3 times:

Lance Armstrong in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005
Jacques Anquetil in 1957, 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1964;
Eddy Merckx in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1974;
Bernard Hinault in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985;
Miguel Indurain in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995
Philippe Thys in 1913, 1914, and 1920;
Louison Bobet in 1953, 1954, and 1955;
Greg LeMond in 1986, 1989, and 1990.

Assuming he avoids a drug suspension, AC is going to go down as one of the greatest cyclists ever. He's already nearing Indurain for the greatest Spanish stage racer, and as much as I love LeMond I'd have to say he's already got a better record then Greg... or he's very close.

It's very likely we'll be saying "Lance Who?" in 6-7 years. He'll never equal Merckx's overall accomplishments though.

 

[BYOP88]

Assuming he avoids a drug suspension, AC is going to go down as one of the greatest cyclists ever. He's already nearing Indurain for the greatest Spanish stage racer, and as much as I love LeMond I'd have to say he's already got a better record then Greg... or he's very close.

It's very likely we'll be saying "Lance Who?" in 6-7 years. He'll never equal Merckx's overall accomplishments though.

Yeah but in all honesty, who will?

 

[Moondance]

Assuming he avoids a drug suspension, AC is going to go down as one of the greatest cyclists ever. He's already nearing Indurain for the greatest Spanish stage racer, and as much as I love LeMond I'd have to say he's already got a better record then Greg... or he's very close.

It's very likely we'll be saying "Lance Who?" in 6-7 years. He'll never equal Merckx's overall accomplishments though.

Noone ever will. Cycling has become far too specialized for anyone to even come close to equalling Merckx. Plus Merckx probably had the best dope in those days, but that playing field is pretty equal nowadays.

 

[Psalmon]

Please don't take this as condescending, not my intention. However, when you look at the numbers, this is like saying there's only been 11 US Presidents since the '50s.

It's interesting the gap between a dominant rider's "reign" is at most 4 seasons. In the cases you mention, since Bobet the gaps have been: 1,4,3,0,0,3 and maybe 1 if AC wins a third in '10.

That would seem natural. Great riders have a good chance to win. Winning enhances confidence and experience. Teams form strongly around them. Resources and incentives escalate.

All these favor Contador to win again at some point, but it's not so clear on the team side yet. He's also showed some inexperience, but still coming through should result in great improvement. Confidence and incentives are clearly in favor as well.

 

[cyclegeek]

I think there is no doubt that AC is going to win many more GTs. Barring injury or an act of God. He has all the weapons. After JB convinced him that he had to learn to TT he has become almost unstopable. Only thing to stop him was the UCI not allowing him to defend the TDF. Short sited.