I'd say Coppi or Bartali were the most popular of all time. They probably had more fans in Italy alone than any other cyclist before or since.
The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
happytramp said:I'd say Coppi or Bartali were the most popular of all time. They probably had more fans in Italy alone than any other cyclist before or since.
Angliru said:The Hitch said:On the other hand, his personality is pretty crap. As far as interviews go, the dialogue in sports video games are more varied than contadors responses to interviews. Same pre arranged answers from gt to gt to gt, from stage to stage to stage. You can summarizes 10 years worth of interviews in 3 or 4 sentences. Starting with an assessment of the etapa as "dura", (muy dura if it's an mtf) then something about sensations, and to conclude, an expression of hope/ contained happiness, depending on whether the stage has already taken place or not.
The closest he comes to expressing any emotion is the photos he posts for his fangirls on Twitter of him at a restuarant or in pre season trip. Even those don't express an emotion as much as imply that there might be one.
I think he is typical of most Spanish cyclists. They are for the most part reserved when it comes to their interaction with the media. The exception being on the podium where I've seen true emotion from him that goes through the entire spectrum. There are times off the bike where his sense of humour comes forth for instance his response to Froome's implications in his book about Contador's training rides with his "amigo's" being little more than cappuchino breaks. I believe he posted something on social media of him and I think Jesus toasting with cups of java and smiling. Most recently in response to the motorized bikes drama, he transported himself from the team bus on an electric bike.
Red Rick said:Btw, was Pantani also that popular when he was still riding or did the hype just completely explode after he died?
Arredondo said:Angliru said:The Hitch said:On the other hand, his personality is pretty crap. As far as interviews go, the dialogue in sports video games are more varied than contadors responses to interviews. Same pre arranged answers from gt to gt to gt, from stage to stage to stage. You can summarizes 10 years worth of interviews in 3 or 4 sentences. Starting with an assessment of the etapa as "dura", (muy dura if it's an mtf) then something about sensations, and to conclude, an expression of hope/ contained happiness, depending on whether the stage has already taken place or not.
The closest he comes to expressing any emotion is the photos he posts for his fangirls on Twitter of him at a restuarant or in pre season trip. Even those don't express an emotion as much as imply that there might be one.
I think he is typical of most Spanish cyclists. They are for the most part reserved when it comes to their interaction with the media. The exception being on the podium where I've seen true emotion from him that goes through the entire spectrum. There are times off the bike where his sense of humour comes forth for instance his response to Froome's implications in his book about Contador's training rides with his "amigo's" being little more than cappuchino breaks. I believe he posted something on social media of him and I think Jesus toasting with cups of java and smiling. Most recently in response to the motorized bikes drama, he transported himself from the team bus on an electric bike.
Valverde and Contador behave very similar when it comes to interaction with the media. They never say what they really mean, quite boring in general and no real emotions. Purito on the other hand, always shows his emotions on the podium and in interviews, and is always in for some good quotes. I have heard from many people that Contador is the most popular cyclist in Spain, followed by Purito and then only Valverde. I don't know if it's true, but it would make sense.
del1962 said:Red Rick said:Btw, was Pantani also that popular when he was still riding or did the hype just completely explode after he died?
popular when riding in mid ninenties b4 he won the TDF
Yeah he has most facebook likes I think.Buffalo Soldier said:Help me out here,
I indeed do not seem to find any cyclist who even comes close to Contador's number of facebook likes (800k).
Cav is at 400k, there a bunch aroun 200k (Nibali, Froome,..)
Obv Armstrong has more likes, but that doesn't count.
ray j willings said:Arredondo said:Angliru said:The Hitch said:On the other hand, his personality is pretty crap. As far as interviews go, the dialogue in sports video games are more varied than contadors responses to interviews. Same pre arranged answers from gt to gt to gt, from stage to stage to stage. You can summarizes 10 years worth of interviews in 3 or 4 sentences. Starting with an assessment of the etapa as "dura", (muy dura if it's an mtf) then something about sensations, and to conclude, an expression of hope/ contained happiness, depending on whether the stage has already taken place or not.
The closest he comes to expressing any emotion is the photos he posts for his fangirls on Twitter of him at a restuarant or in pre season trip. Even those don't express an emotion as much as imply that there might be one.
I think he is typical of most Spanish cyclists. They are for the most part reserved when it comes to their interaction with the media. The exception being on the podium where I've seen true emotion from him that goes through the entire spectrum. There are times off the bike where his sense of humour comes forth for instance his response to Froome's implications in his book about Contador's training rides with his "amigo's" being little more than cappuchino breaks. I believe he posted something on social media of him and I think Jesus toasting with cups of java and smiling. Most recently in response to the motorized bikes drama, he transported himself from the team bus on an electric bike.
Valverde and Contador behave very similar when it comes to interaction with the media. They never say what they really mean, quite boring in general and no real emotions. Purito on the other hand, always shows his emotions on the podium and in interviews, and is always in for some good quotes. I have heard from many people that Contador is the most popular cyclist in Spain, followed by Purito and then only Valverde. I don't know if it's true, but it would make sense.
That's because Purito keeps coming up short. His emotions are just frustration for the bitter taste of defeat.
ray j willings said:Arredondo quote " *** and The fact he loses big races, also helps in his popularity"
Exactly my point and no need to swear.
Arredondo said:ray j willings said:Arredondo quote " *** and The fact he loses big races, also helps in his popularity"
Exactly my point and no need to swear.
It's only a small part of his popularity. So you don't read or deliberatly don't want to read to make your point. And *** is not swearing in the sense you mean. But be my guest
uhmmmThe Hitch said:I'm pretty sure he is just trying to wind you up (wouldn't be out of character for him).
I've seen Purito interviewed dozens of times and he shows real character in them. Especially the Vuelta when he lost to Contador on Fuente de giving a full interview saying he was happy to be part of the spectacle. Contador and others if they don't like a result will go straight to the bus.
Kittel hasn't won enough to be up their with the three respective bests of their generation. Cavendish isn't really liked either. Could he possibly be the most unpopular current cyclist. Excluding the UK?Electress said:I think he is very popular; pretty certain he's the most popular active rider. Maybe Cav. or Cancellara could compete. Cav. has almost identical twitter followers. Where does Kittel stand in the fangirl stakes?)
His attributes as a cyclist have been mentioned several times - that he races with passion, commitment, takes risks etc., and that 'dancing on the pedals' fluid style is endlessly pleasing to watch. The sense that you're never quite sure what he might get up to means that you want to watch whatever he does - he animates the race. And yes, as Carols say, he's a winner. There is a charisma to him as a rider which I feel sets him apart. But - and this is key for me, at least - he's a winner without being brash or arrogant. There's no false modesty, but all that drive and competitiveness does not translate into aggression, egomania or narcissism off the bike. Indeed, he seems to be a nice guy. I also personally find his sheer will / mental strength formidable.
Maybe people do find him boring or one-dimensional, but like LaFlo., I like what of his personality I can see. As for his responses, well, I find him quite subtle and clever. Look at how he dealt with the whole 'coffee amigos' thing - that is not only funny, it makes an extremely elegant point. Look at how he dealt with the Stage 16/17 debacle - wouldn't get drawn into outright criticism or trading insults or whining about the puncture / attack the jersey stuff, but did say 'Well, I don't think Aru is very happy at the moment', or words to that effect. It's clear he wasn't happy about it but he did not say anything outright. And for the most part, he makes any other points he needs to make - take Armstrong - on the road.
His backstory of being poor and overcoming adversity has got to help the narrative, and lets be honest, it helps he's quite easy on the eye without appearing to love himself quite like Cipo or be an out-and-out womanising ****. Add in the fact that he doesn't seem to have capitalised on his fame with biographies etc., or court the media in fame-whoring Hello exposes etc., (and neither does his wife) and there seems a lot to like and respect. I'm sure he's not the life and soul of the party, but that means he's not a marmite character. And those GCN videos show an engaging enough personality, if not one that is about to set the world alight.
It's a very different era, but I think he'll gain the myth and mystic of the Merxx and Hinault etc. But it's very difficult to assess legacy except in retrospect.
I must say, I have noticed a thaw in the media attitude to him in recent months. There's still the 'mention the doping at every opportunity' but it is more tempered with (sometimes grudging) respect. Was rather surprised to see an article in the paper comparing Sky's RV and Porte's deterioration with Contador's attitude and mental strength. That hasn't been the kind of tone before, IMO.
Arredondo said:ray j willings said:Arredondo said:Angliru said:The Hitch said:On the other hand, his personality is pretty crap. As far as interviews go, the dialogue in sports video games are more varied than contadors responses to interviews. Same pre arranged answers from gt to gt to gt, from stage to stage to stage. You can summarizes 10 years worth of interviews in 3 or 4 sentences. Starting with an assessment of the etapa as "dura", (muy dura if it's an mtf) then something about sensations, and to conclude, an expression of hope/ contained happiness, depending on whether the stage has already taken place or not.
The closest he comes to expressing any emotion is the photos he posts for his fangirls on Twitter of him at a restuarant or in pre season trip. Even those don't express an emotion as much as imply that there might be one.
I think he is typical of most Spanish cyclists. They are for the most part reserved when it comes to their interaction with the media. The exception being on the podium where I've seen true emotion from him that goes through the entire spectrum. There are times off the bike where his sense of humour comes forth for instance his response to Froome's implications in his book about Contador's training rides with his "amigo's" being little more than cappuchino breaks. I believe he posted something on social media of him and I think Jesus toasting with cups of java and smiling. Most recently in response to the motorized bikes drama, he transported himself from the team bus on an electric bike.
Valverde and Contador behave very similar when it comes to interaction with the media. They never say what they really mean, quite boring in general and no real emotions. Purito on the other hand, always shows his emotions on the podium and in interviews, and is always in for some good quotes. I have heard from many people that Contador is the most popular cyclist in Spain, followed by Purito and then only Valverde. I don't know if it's true, but it would make sense.
That's because Purito keeps coming up short. His emotions are just frustration for the bitter taste of defeat.
***. I'm talking about the good mood he always has during interviews, and the jokes he makes. He's very popular in the Spanish media, because he's a character. The fact he loses big races, also helps in his popularity, but isn't the main reason at all.
With all kinds of respect too Valverde, but he isn't. Perhaps because he got a lot of criticism of the media the last years, so he has build some kind of wall around him. Just as Contador. You don't have to listen to interviews of those two, because they are filled with the same cliches over and over again.
The Hitch said:Arredondo said:ray j willings said:Arredondo quote " *** and The fact he loses big races, also helps in his popularity"
Exactly my point and no need to swear.
It's only a small part of his popularity. So you don't read or deliberatly don't want to read to make your point. And *** is not swearing in the sense you mean. But be my guest
I'm pretty sure he is just trying to wind you up (wouldn't be out of character for him).
I've seen Purito interviewed dozens of times and he shows real character in them. Especially the Vuelta when he lost to Contador on Fuente de giving a full interview saying he was happy to be part of the spectacle. Contador and others if they don't like a result will go straight to the bus.
Kittel hasn't won enough to be up their with the three respective bests of their generation. Cavendish isn't really liked either. Could he possibly be the most unpopular current cyclist. Excluding the UK?
Red Rick said:Btw, was Pantani also that popular when he was still riding or did the hype just completely explode after he died?
LaFlorecita said:uhmmmThe Hitch said:I'm pretty sure he is just trying to wind you up (wouldn't be out of character for him).
I've seen Purito interviewed dozens of times and he shows real character in them. Especially the Vuelta when he lost to Contador on Fuente de giving a full interview saying he was happy to be part of the spectacle. Contador and others if they don't like a result will go straight to the bus.