Best TT specialist ever?

[Nirvana]

It’s pretty close between Anquetil and Merckx. 63 ITT victories for JA and 57 for EM.

Remco could be better than both.

Remco at age 19 has so far placed:
3rd San Juan
15th at Romandie
4th at Bâloise Belgian Tour
3rd at Belgian NC
1st at Euro TT

Merckx and Anquetil didn’t win their first TT until they were 23. While the Euro championship isn’t the same as winning a Paris Nice ITT like both Merckx and Anquetil did for their first ITT win it was against fairly strong TT’ers.

If he somehow were to win the World IT ...mind—-> explode

Are you serious? Anquetil at 23 had already won 5 Grand Prix des Nation, 3 Grand Prix Martini and 2 Gran Premio di Lugano, that were the most important races against the clock at the time. Not to mention the fact that his first Grand Prix des Nation was his very first pro race at 19 and he destroyed the competition.

 

[houtdffan]

Don’t forget though, that was the only ITT of the race that year. There was more kms of ITT in 2016 and 2017, and just about equal this year, except spread over 2 or 3 stages each time.

aren't the time gaps usually larger in the longer TTs though vs a couple of short ones?

 

[LesDiablesRouges]

That’s my bad I claim historical ignorance. Anquetil is the best TT’er. Looks like first win was at 19 like Remco.