The Most Memorable Second Place Finishers

[Parker]

A race where the second place is more remembered than the winner is the Gavia stage of the 1988 Giro d'Italia. Andy Hampsten is most associated with that day, largely because of the one photo. But Erik Breukink won the stage ahead of him.

 

[valentius borealis]

Bananito's attack (and celebration) into Florence in the 2013 Giro

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Spoiler: This one

Valverde, 2022 Fleche Wallonne.

 

[perico]

LeMond, Hinault, Delgado, Fignon: 1985. 1986, 1987, 1989 TDF

 

[ice&fire]

Lejarreta in the epic '83 Vuelta, badly wounding the Badger in the mountains including the MTT and missing it in an echelon.

 

[Leinster]

Which was the season when we had Peter 2agan racing? Was it 2015?

I seem to remember a season where we was "mocked" by his run of second places but now that I look into it it doesn't seem so bad as he counted 9 wins (even more when comparing with recent seasons). But with 19 2nd places it must have been that year.

Definitely 2015. He had 1 race win to his name (a stage of T-A) going into the Tour of California, and finished 2nd on the first 3 stages (then won 2stages and the GC) and won the green jersey at the Tour without winning a stage.

 

[Leinster]

LeMond, Hinault, Delgado, Fignon: 1985. 1986, 1987, 1989 TDF

Nobody cares about Steven Rooks.

 

[Leinster]

Lejarreta in the epic '83 Vuelta, badly wounding the Badger in the mountains including the MTT and missing it in an echelon.

Robert Millar in 85.

 

[Mosul]

Carapaz in the 2020 Tour de France KOM competition. The way he earned the polka dots was memorable. Then lost them on the most memorable TDF stage in the last 30 years.

 

[CyclistAbi]

 

[Pantani_lives]

Dimitri Konyshev at the 1989 world championships. He was the first medalist from behind the Iron Curtain.

 

[rallybanana]

Moreno Argentin, Milano-Sanremo 1992

 

[Ricco']

Scarponi - Tirreno Adriatico 2010

Remembered most notably by the fight with Garzelli for boni seconds in the last sprint stage while being tied up on time.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Evenepoel finishing second to Girmay in the Aubel junior race.

 

[rallybanana]

Henk Lubberding in the 1983 Tour de France stage to St Etienne

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