The Best Ardennes Classics Riders in History

[Mr.White]

The Best Ardennes Classics Riders in History

After the end of the Ardennes classics, i think it is time to recognize the achievements of leading riders, especially Alejandro Valverde, and to put them into proper place among the all-time greats. I will choose some top riders of the Ardennes classics in entire history of this races, and you feel free to give your opinion.

The best are in this order:


Eddy Merckx 10 wins (5xLiege, 3x Fleche, 2x Amstel), plus 5 podiums
Moreno Argentin 7 wins (4xLiege, 3xFleche), 2 podiums
Alejandro Valverde 6 wins (3xLiege, 3xFleche), 7 podiums, 2 times Fleche-Liege double
Davide Rebellin 5 wins (1xLiege, 1xAmstel, 3xFleche), 6 podiums, Ardennes triple in 2004
Ferdi Kubler 4 wins (2xLiege, 2xFleche), 7 podiums, 2x Fleche-Liege double, in his time there was no Amstel
Bernard Hinault 5 wins (2xLiege, 1xAmstel, 2xFleche), 2 podiums
Philippe Gilbert 5 wins (1xLiege, 3xAmstel, 1xFleche), 2 podiums, Ardennes triple in 2011
Michele Bartoli 4 wins (2xLiege,1xAmstel, 1xFleche), 3 podiums
Frans Verbeeck 2 wins (1xAmstel, 1xFleche), 9 podiums
Jan Raas 5 wins, all at Amstel, plus 2 podiums also in Amstel

 

[SyroboiII]

Jens Voigt would have been up there if he had been the captain. He was 2nd in Liege.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Re:

Jens Voigt would have been up there if he had been the captain. He was 2nd in Liege.

Yes for sure, I think he would have crushed Eddie Merckx his records if he was captain.

 

[BigMac]

Re:

Jens Voigt would have been up there if he had been the captain. He was 2nd in Liege.

As well if his break mates ran into a ditch and the péloton was hit by the TGV.


On any other occasion.

 

[SyroboiII]

Re: Re:

Jens Voigt would have been up there if he had been the captain. He was 2nd in Liege.

Yes for sure, I think he would have crushed Eddie Merckx his records if he was captain.

Yeah. A shame that he never got the chance.

 

[SeriousSam]

Jens Voigt could have been the first man on the moon, had he been there instead of Lan.. Neil Armstrong.

 

[SyroboiII]

Jens Voigt could have been the first man on the moon, had he been there instead of Lan.. Neil Armstrong.

Armstrong went to the Moon, Jens Voigt went to Mars.

https://twitter.com/jensvoigtfacts

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

Jens Voigt would have been up there if he had been the captain. He was 2nd in Liege.

Yes for sure, I think he would have crushed Eddie Merckx his records if he was captain.

Yeah. A shame that he never got the chance.

Yeah such a shame, he nearly won Liege once. What a legend. If only he was a captain... You're quite funny guy

 

[PremierAndrew]

Hard to argue against a top form peak Gilbert. Shame it only happened one season and we won't get to see it in the future either

 

[Panda Claws]

April 2011 Philippe Gilbert might very well be the most dominant Ardennes rider we've ever seen (I would say strongest, but then someone could say that cyclists were stronger in the '90s. I would mean strongest, as in comparison to the others of his era.)

However, one year does not make a champion. Of the current flock, Alejandro Valverde has to take the title.