Riders with style, class, souplesse

[Red Lobster]

Apparently I get something entirely different from the OP than some of y'all ... "souplesse" is mentioned and somebody posts Froome? Virenque? Oy vey.

Now I can groove with VdB, Moncoutie, Scheleck, Millar ... Froome not so much. One of these things is not like the others, one of these things does not belong.

I suggest Hampsten receive consideration. Whether working for LeMond en route a TdF white jersey

Rolling at the TdS

Or winning his Giro

The guy always looked smooth, effortless and in control on the bike. Was a class dude off the bike, to boot.

And for those who want to turn this into a "panache" thread, Andy could open up a big can of that when he wanted:

 

[l.Harm]

Another rider I always like to watch is Sebastian Langeveld. Always looks effortless, even when he drops.

although here he seems to be suffering

 

[red_flanders]

I don't know if this really fits, but it's one of my favorite images of all time. From James Starrt's Tour de France/Tour de Force book. Couldn't find it anywhere online so this is taken from the book from my phone:

Love everything, from the facial expressions of the guys on the moto (and the hand out), the woman, the great old train gate, the style with which the rider ducks...just a great moment in time captured.

Anyone know who the rider is? Coppi?

 

[Jagartrott]

Agree with all that. Except Tony Martin. He drools.

Yeah, that's a minus.
Crotch bleeds also definitely a minus for style.

 

[red_flanders]

Yeah, that's a minus.
Crotch bleeds also definitely a minus for style.

 

[casati]

I don't know if this really fits, but it's one of my favorite images of all time. From James Starrt's Tour de France/Tour de Force book. Couldn't find it anywhere online so this is taken from the book from my phone:

Love everything, from the facial expressions of the guys on the moto (and the hand out), the woman, the great old train gate, the style with which the rider ducks...just a great moment in time captured.

Anyone know who the rider is? Coppi?

Looks like Ferdi Kubler

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Cannot believe Kiryienka hasn't been mentioned. That dude is silent as a rock when climbing. Objectively it doesn't get much more elegant than this...

Also, Julich in his prime was so smooth in the time trials:
This is from the 2005 Pays Basque, where he finished 2nd in the 10km ITT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSSJwiag4Uw (approx. at 39.30)

 

[SafeBet]

Best style in a climber for me: Gibo Simoni

 

[sir fly]

Savoldelli?

 

[laurel1969]

I don't know if this really fits, but it's one of my favorite images of all time. From James Starrt's Tour de France/Tour de Force book. Couldn't find it anywhere online so this is taken from the book from my phone:

Love everything, from the facial expressions of the guys on the moto (and the hand out), the woman, the great old train gate, the style with which the rider ducks...just a great moment in time captured.

Anyone know who the rider is? Coppi?

It is Fausto Coppi riding the Giro do Lombardi, 1950, I think. He came third to Renzo Soldani, who he would have been leading at this point.

 

[No_Balls]

The man they called "Il falco". Kids, look and learn.

 

[Volderke]

Michele Bartoli:

Frank Vandenbroucke:

Alessandro Ballan:

 

[forumlurker]

Let's see some photos and videos of rider who rode with beauty, class, panache, souplesse or whatever you want to call it.

Super Mario was who I thought of first.
Beauty: I think he was a favorite amongst female fans. As far as pedaling mechanics/style go, I think almost any pro is smooth and powerful.
Class: Very few people will ever win as many races as Super Mario.
Panache: Lots. Not many people can rock a skinsuit or throw a bidon like him.
Souplesse: Quoi? Qu'est-ce que c'est?

 

[For The World]

Alessandro Ballan? Really?

It's quite hard to post suggestions of anyone still in the pro peloton, and most certainly since the advent of "compact" geometry. It's quite clear that there are people here that are quite ignorant of the plethora of riders available to choose from.

Roger de Vlaeminck:

Jan Janssen (from whom Marcel Kittel stole his style):

Chris Boardman (he was born ready to time trial):

Charly Mottet:

There are... of course... more.

 

[markene2]

Pieopli had a beautiful climbing style.
Ullrich looked perfect on a TT bike.

 

[Echoes]

I'm genuinely interested in your picks.

Good trolling with Robic but you can do better :

Briek Schotte

Damien Gaudin

 

[jens_attacks]

robert alban ugliest style ever, merckx uphill like a bear too

 

[red_flanders]

Alessandro Ballan? Really?

It's quite hard to post suggestions of anyone still in the pro peloton, and most certainly since the advent of "compact" geometry. It's quite clear that there are people here that are quite ignorant of the plethora of riders available to choose from.

Roger de Vlaeminck:

There are... of course... more.

Great call on de Vlaeminck. Let's see more!

 

[Lequack]

We need to update this list! I will add Landa to the list, his climbing style is pretty elegant.

 

[tobydawq]

Mauri Vansevenant.

 

[RedheadDane]

Every rider has style.
Some are just more... unconventional... than others.

 

[Bolder]

Cool necro-thread. Kuss gets a lot of flak here but honestly have you ever seen a more composed climber?

IMO MvdP is the style-maestro of the peloton. Conversely you've got Mauri. I'm sure he's got a great engine but it cannot be efficient to be bobbing and weaving like a welterweight boxer.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Mikel Landa
Damiano Caruso
Fausto Masnada
Jakob Fuglsang

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Cool necro-thread. Kuss gets a lot of flak here but honestly have you ever seen a more composed climber?

IMO MvdP is the style-maestro of the peloton. Conversely you've got Mauri. I'm sure he's got a great engine but it cannot be efficient to be bobbing and weaving like a welterweight boxer.

Maybe Mauri has the core engine to keep going 2 days straight but simply lacks the watts to follow the others. Hence by rocking his entire body and using all muscle groups, he is able to put more power onto his pedals, while he won't get tired. I kid. He is the lovechild that came of Pierre Latour, Mollema and Schachmann's illegal love triangle.

I think Van Aert is a very stylish rider. I also like Evenepoel when he is in "on-a-mission" mode.

 

[JosefK]

This guy, for the beard alone (also is French). Also, while "souplesse" is not his middle name, "soupe" is his name: