Nicest guys in the peleton?

[Roderick]

Keisse is sometimes a bit short in his interviews even though he is well spoken. The first times you could see that as some kind of arrogance. But in fact he is pretty down to earth and respectful to other riders and fans. His father on the other hand is quite arrogent though.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Believe or not Conti is pretty nice, but a bit quiet. Most of his team mates love him to bits.

Yes exactly

 

[TRDean]

Riders I have experience with personally who I consider very nice are Kenny van Hummel and the young American Ben King. Riders who I have not interacted with but seem very nice are Boonen, Phinney, Cancellara, and Koen de Kort. I'm sure most of the guys are very nice people. It is very hard to judge someones likability during an interview following a brutal day in the saddle.

 

[Alphabet]

Basso always strikes me as a nice guy.

 

[Swabian Lass]

Jens! is a great guy, down to earth and a real laugh - great guy to spend a night in a bar with. Tony Martin is also a genuinely nice person. Kittel too. Boonen is very friendly and approachable, but from what I've heard I wouldn't want to go drinking with him - no way I'd keep up! If you're younger though..... Keisse is a nice guy, calls it as he sees it, but very open. Vanmarcke is friendly too. Greipel is total sweetie.

Cadel used to come across as grumpy, but away from a race he's really one of the nicest people you could hope to meet anywhere. He seems to be more relaxed and to be enjoying himself around races too now, which is nice.

I was lucky enough to meet Contador one day (in a completely non cycling situation, completely by chance - I was with a Spanish friend who knows his family well). He's great. Modest, unassuming, genuinely interested in other people - and offered to buy the drinks immediately!

On the whole, both from experience and what I hear from others, I think that the majority of pro cyclists are at least OK people. It probably is easier to name the ones who aren't.

Oh, and I know this is an unpopular opinion amongst (some) cycling fans, but David Millar is a great guy - great sense of humour (often against himself) and very down to earth.

 

[ElChingon]

Wiggins, first he says he's going to help Froome conquer le Tour this year and now he gives Sky leadership at the Giro to Uran

 

[movingtarget]

I can't vouch for this, but have heard from numerous sources inside and outside the péloton that Chris' attitude to you changes considerably depending on whether you are American or not.

It's the beetroot juice. It has side effects.

 

[Swabian Lass]

I can't vouch for this, but have heard from numerous sources inside and outside the péloton that Chris' attitude to you changes considerably depending on whether you are American or not.

I've heard that too, but I have no personal experience to back it up. I've heard it so consistently though I'm inclined to think that there's something in it.

 

[King Boonen]

Kiserlovski. Croatians are ace.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I was lucky enough to meet Contador one day (in a completely non cycling situation, completely by chance - I was with a Spanish friend who knows his family well). He's great. Modest, unassuming, genuinely interested in other people - and offered to buy the drinks immediately!
.

Lucky you *envious*

 

[akrogirl]

my nod ( for what it's worth ) is EVERYONE

it seems to me that ALL the riders are decent types

my thought is that ALL the real cants and wunkers prefer sports with a little

less effort and commitment required / greater ego massage

Mark L

I have to agree with this. I went out to the Tour of California yesterday and got to meet most of the top riders there - all were very gracious about giving autographs and talking to their fans. Very different from many of the top athletes in other sports that I follow.

I also got to meet Koen de Kort when I was in Girona earlier this year. Super nice guy who took the time to chat with an older fan. The guy had just got back from a training run after breaking his collar bone two weeks previously.

 

[Pricey_sky]

my nod ( for what it's worth ) is EVERYONE

it seems to me that ALL the riders are decent types

my thought is that ALL the real cants and wunkers prefer sports with a little

less effort and commitment required / greater ego massage

Mark L

Totally agree, I've been to a a few stages of the Tour of Britain and all the riders I have spoken to seem very friendly and decent people. Got autographs off Samu and Basso last year who were happy to stop and sign, as were Wiggo, Cav, Knees and Rowe.

 

[42x16ss]

I have to agree with this. I went out to the Tour of California yesterday and got to meet most of the top riders there - all were very gracious about giving autographs and talking to their fans. Very different from many of the top athletes in other sports that I follow.

I also got to meet Koen de Kort when I was in Girona earlier this year. Super nice guy who took the time to chat with an older fan. The guy had just got back from a training run after breaking his collar bone two weeks previously.

I've come across Koen before in the off season on the Gold Coast, seems like a good guy.

Same with Matt Hayman. He did one of the popular bunch rides in Brisbane last summer and made an effort to talk to everyone he could and even pushed a couple of the juniors up the hills towards the end.

Adam Hansen is also a top guy, I met him briefly at the Croc trophy and a couple of times in Far North Queensland. He's also a regular at the Weight Weenie forums and has given some good input over the years.

 

[akrogirl]

I've come across Koen before in the off season on the Gold Coast, seems like a good guy.

It was quite interesting to hear a Dutchman speaking with an Aussie accent ;-) He's also a huge Carlton FC fan.

 

[Task_Force]

Maarten Tjallingii gets my vote, i once saw him picking up someone else his sunglasses while cycling, although i dont know if he gave them back.. Also vegetarian, so doesnt hurt flies either..

and Betancur also seemed nice with his cheering for someone in another team..

 

[42x16ss]

It was quite interesting to hear a Dutchman speaking with an Aussie accent ;-) He's also a huge Carlton FC fan.

I know, I saw him at a crit in Nerang a few years ago and thought "There's no Aussies on Skil!"

Confused the cr@p out of me