A top rider that no one dislikes?

[norwegian]

I do not dislike ANY rider. But I love good racing, whoever who does it.

 

[cineteq]

I do not dislike ANY rider. But I love good racing, whoever who does it.

Good attitude!
I do not dislike ANY rider = I like all riders

 

[Race Radio]

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

I like all the cyclists apart from Valverde.

 

[Fetisoff]

Pinotti a top rider? LOL. I mean sure, he can win a time-trial here and there, especially drafting behind a motorcycle, but a top rider?

I guess we can include Andrey Amador if we're trying to include Pinotti here. Does anybody really dislike him?

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Actually, I would always dislike a rider that nobody dislikes.

Bit of a paradox there, no? For nobody to dislike a rider, you would also need to not dislike them. But you have stated that you would always dislike such a rider...

 

[Arnout]

That's an odd one, hating people based on their origin because allegedly "they're all racist".

Racist isn't meant literally, of course. I can understand what he says. Especially between American and Australian, but also British, riders there seems to be a sort of happiness if any of those does a good job, there's cross-country patriotism. I can't be bothered by it personally (I don't like most of the riders of those countries because they tend to be of the marginal gains time trial no attack but maximize type), but I understand where he's coming from.

By the way, not only on this forum there are Igor Anton fanboys, but basically the whole of the Basque region (the people interested in cycling in the region) is Igor Anton fanboy, he is by far the most popular Basque cyclist, so I'd assume he has more fanboys than 98% of the peloton. Not to take away anything from your fanboyism, but it's probably less exclusive than you might think.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Vino. too awesome to be hated by anyone, even the guys from the clinic can't hate him. They just have to say it to keep thier weird kind of "integrity"

 

[patterson_hood]

Racist isn't meant literally, of course. I can understand what he says. Especially between American and Australian, but also British, riders there seems to be a sort of happiness if any of those does a good job, there's cross-country patriotism. I can't be bothered by it personally (I don't like most of the riders of those countries because they tend to be of the marginal gains time trial no attack but maximize type), but I understand where he's coming from.

What about Flemish Belgians and the Dutch? Or French speaking Belgians and the French? Or the Spanish and Spanish speaking South Americans?

 

[Caruut]

Racist isn't meant literally, of course. I can understand what he says. Especially between American and Australian, but also British, riders there seems to be a sort of happiness if any of those does a good job, there's cross-country patriotism. I can't be bothered by it personally (I don't like most of the riders of those countries because they tend to be of the marginal gains time trial no attack but maximize type), but I understand where he's coming from.

By the way, not only on this forum there are Igor Anton fanboys, but basically the whole of the Basque region (the people interested in cycling in the region) is Igor Anton fanboy, he is by far the most popular Basque cyclist, so I'd assume he has more fanboys than 98% of the peloton. Not to take away anything from your fanboyism, but it's probably less exclusive than you might think.

I was going for an under-fanboyed rider on this forum, really. Of course he's popular with the Basques.

I agree with the sentiment that the US, Aussie and British cyclists tend to be more conservative racers, and I dislike them for that reason too. What I find offensive and hilarious at the same time is the characterisation of all such riders as racists (based purely on race).

 

[SafeBet]

What is a top rider by the way? In my eyes he's among the best 20 of the world.
A lot of riders mentioned here are not top riders.

 

[Arnout]

What about Flemish Belgians and the Dutch? Or French speaking Belgians and the French? Or the Spanish and Spanish speaking South Americans?

I don't know about Spain and South America (although I've always found it funny that Colombians like Italy more usually), but between the Netherlands and Belgium / Flanders it's not on the same scale. Usually the commentators in both countries give quite a bit of info on the riders from the other side due to cross-country viewers, but between the fans there can be quite a bit of animosity.

 

[Caruut]

What is a top rider by the way? In my eyes he's among the best 20 of the world.
A lot of riders mentioned here are not top riders.

I think a rider who can enter a monument, a GT or the WC and be legitimately disappointed at not winning is a top rider. I would also extend that to a rider who can enter a GT can be disappointed if they don't get multiple stage wins.

 

[Panda Claws]

Vino. too awesome to be hated by anyone, even the guys from the clinic can't hate him. They just have to say it to keep thier weird kind of "integrity"

I don't like Vino.

 

[barmaher]

I dislike Pozzovivo for reasons I can't quite explain.

I have never warmed to Domenico, either.

 

[patterson_hood]

I don't know about Spain and South America (although I've always found it funny that Colombians like Italy more usually), but between the Netherlands and Belgium / Flanders it's not on the same scale. Usually the commentators in both countries give quite a bit of info on the riders from the other side due to cross-country viewers, but between the fans there can be quite a bit of animosity.

Well the same would be true for GB and Aus fans, but that wasn't what you said was it? I thought you meant the English speaking riders were cliquey. I was asking if the Spanish speaking and Flemish speaking ones are too? I would have thought they were, although slightly less due to the prevalence of English.

As a small aside I'm always ashamed at the attitude of many English speakers on holiday that they don't bother learning the language as they assume everyone has a basic grasp of English.

Although basically I think "racist" was a very very poor choice of word.

 

[El Pistolero]

Why would anyone want to learn the language of the country where they go on holiday for maybe 2 weeks?

 

[Caruut]

Well the same would be true for GB and Aus fans, but that wasn't what you said was it? I thought you meant the English speaking riders were cliquey. I was asking if the Spanish speaking and Flemish speaking ones are too? I would have thought they were, although slightly less due to the prevalence of English.

As a small aside I'm always ashamed at the attitude of many English speakers on holiday that they don't bother learning the language as they assume everyone has a basic grasp of English.

Although basically I think "racist" was a very very poor choice of word.

Flemish-speaking? Dutch, mate.

Totally agree on the not bothering to learn it. Whenever I got anywhere I try and learn the basics. I never had much talent for languages compared to other subjects, but I sort of know bits of the language from a lot of Europe. Even though I know people are just going to hear me speaking rubbish Dutch/Greek/Italian/Spanish/French/German/Turkish and then say "Ah, English!", I still like to show that I'm trying.

 

[ElChingon]

Well the same would be true for GB and Aus fans, but that wasn't what you said was it? I thought you meant the English speaking riders were cliquey. I was asking if the Spanish speaking and Flemish speaking ones are too? I would have thought they were, although slightly less due to the prevalence of English.

As a small aside I'm always ashamed at the attitude of many English speakers on holiday that they don't bother learning the language as they assume everyone has a basic grasp of English.

Although basically I think "racist" was a very very poor choice of word.

Riders who speak the same language hanging and talking to each other, yea I think that's called being able to understand each other, like some forum members who only post in English forums, so cliquey!

 

[Caruut]

Why would anyone want to learn the language of the country where they go on holiday for maybe 2 weeks?

I see at as a bit disrespectful to go somewhere and not even learn guidebook mannerisms (please, thank you, yes, no, sorry). I usually spent time at the airport/station/bus depot or on the place/train/bus learning a little bit.

 

[Panda Claws]

Do Sagan and Boasson Hagen really have haters?

Rodriguez for example does have more haters because of relying on his explosiveness too much.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

I don't like Vino.

yes you do

 

[silverrocket]

I like Robbie a lot but that view is not uiversally shared in the peleton - in fact Stuey O'Grady, another great rider and character, and Robbie reputedly do not like each other so under the rules of this thread that rules out both! I feel like a mod now.

I think McEwen and O'Grady are both in the mold of the "abrasive and outspoken" sprinting types (this is most sprinters, actually...). This has certainly rubbed certain people the wrong way over the years. Personally I actually liked McEwen because he wasn't afraid to speak his mind, such as when he said to Lance Armstrong "shut your mouth or I will fill it with my fist". McEwan and O'Grady have also each had assault allegations leveled at them, so it is no great stretch to believe they don't get along with everyone. O'Grady also got kicked out of the Vuelta for afterhours drinking, and that unprofessionalism alone warrants his removal from the "universally liked" list. And McEwan is retired now, so shouldn't be on the list anyway.

 

[cycladianpirate]

I think a rider who can enter a monument, a GT or the WC and be legitimately disappointed at not winning is a top rider. I would also extend that to a rider who can enter a GT can be disappointed if they don't get multiple stage wins.

Perhaps you could enlighten us as to who are the 'top riders' in the peleton as of now? It would give us a shortlist.

I took 'no one dislikes' to mean a decent bloke that no one could reasonably take offence with.

I took 'top rider' to mean a pro that would have no difficulty in finding a place on a WT team.

Still don't see why Marco Pinotti isn't in the frame.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

The younger the rider, the less haters
(although of course there are exceptions, cf ricco vs Voigt)