Who is the better cyclist: Merckx or Armstrong?

[Willy_Voet]

Merckx: 5 Giros, 5 TdFs, 1 Vuelta, 3 Worlds, hour record, 19 major classics

Armstrong: 7 Tours, 1 World, 2 major classics.

Seems like no contest, except that Merckx was busted 3 times for PEDs during his career.

Thus, Armstrong is the greatest ever because he rides clean.

 

[iliveonnitro]

Seems like no contest, .

You should have stopped there.

 

[Ferminal]

Did you feel there weren't enough wind ups in the clinic already?

Don't take the bait!

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Merckx: 5 Giros, 5 TdFs, 1 Vuelta, 3 Worlds, hour record, 19 major classics

Armstrong: 7 Tours, 1 World, 2 major classics.

Seems like no contest, except that Merckx was busted 3 times for PEDs during his career.

Thus, Armstrong is the greatest ever because he rides clean.

I always get confused with this....

Is this post flaming, baiting or just plain trolling?

 

[Lifeshape]

Did you feel there weren't enough wind ups in the clinic already?

Don't take the bait!

Chum Bait! This thread will be teeming with sharks in the bloody waters... I think even "Fanboys" will chose Merckx. As for Merckx's PED usage, different times and different standards...

 

[Willy_Voet]

As for Merckx's PED usage, different times and different standards...

Please elaborate...

 

[hfer07]

Merckx: 5 Giros, 5 TdFs, 1 Vuelta, 3 Worlds, hour record, 19 major classics

Armstrong: 7 Tours, 1 World, 2 major classics.

Seems like no contest, except that Merckx was busted 3 times for PEDs during his career.

Thus, Armstrong is the greatest ever because he rides clean.

 

[Inner Peace]

As for Merckx's PED usage, different times and different standards...

I find your statement a little conflicting in that is it really "different times and different standards" ??

As it stands, Armstrong won 7 Tours, and something like 8 of the guys on the podiums were also alleged and/or convicted dopers.

So one could conclude that during Armstrongs reign, the standard train of thought was: to win the Tour, you must dope.

Perhaps the same for Merckx, I don't know, perhaps the standard was: to win a race, you need a little pick-me-up?

Could you just clarify what you meant by "different standards"? Thanks in advance..

For the record, clearly Merckx is the greatest, not even worth discussing that!

 

[flicker]

If you could clone Lance 10 times and then compare him to Eddy I am afraid Eddy would still win. Not just the overwehlming wins of Eddy but the style in which he won and the way Eddy buried himself in the attempt to win. Vino is the only rider who rides that way now.

 

[knewcleardaze]

Who is the better cyclist: Merckx or Armstrong?

I will answer your question. Merckx.

 

[craig1985]

 

[53 x 11]

If you could clone Lance 10 times and then compare him to Eddy I am afraid Eddy would still win. Not just the overwehlming wins of Eddy but the style in which he won and the way Eddy buried himself in the attempt to win. Vino is the only rider who rides that way now.

WoW, something you said didnt give me a headache. Total agree.

And at the OP........Stupid question.

 

[craig1985]

Armstrong's not fit to even clean Hinault's chain.

 

[53 x 11]

Armstrong's not fit to even clean Hinault's chain.

Armstrong is not even fit to clean Merckx's BALLS

 

[HelmutRoole]

Merckx: 5 Giros, 5 TdFs, 1 Vuelta, 3 Worlds, hour record, 19 major classics

Armstrong: 7 Tours, 1 World, 2 major classics.

...Armstrong is the greatest ever because he rides clean.

The fact that you posted this in the clinic belies your premise.

They both doped.

Merckx was clearly the greatest rider. Hinault as well.

In fact, the real question is, who is the greatest rider, Hinault or Merckx?

 

[flicker]

They both doped.

Merckx was clearly the better rider. Hinault as well.

Excuse me. Hinault doped also

A part of the game. I would say Merckx, Hinault,Coppi next? Not Lance!!!

 

[Carboncrank]

If you could clone Lance 10 times and then compare him to Eddy I am afraid Eddy would still win. Not just the overwehlming wins of Eddy but the style in which he won and the way Eddy buried himself in the attempt to win. Vino is the only rider who rides that way now.

Vino was packing more blood cells than a race horse.

You really think he can ride clean and be worth squat?

Eddy says Lance is the best. I have it on video.

 

[HelmutRoole]

Vino was packing more blood cells than a race horse.

You really think he can ride clean and be worth squat?

Eddy says Lance is the best. I have it on video.

Everyone knows that Lance has video of Eddy starring in a Mexican donkey show. Merckx will say/do anything to keep that footage under wraps.

 

[Cerberus]

Vino was packing more blood cells than a race horse.

You really think he can ride clean and be worth squat?

Eddy says Lance is the best. I have it on video.

And Lance says Eddy is the best. I have that on video.

 

[flicker]

You guys had betterbelieve the videos and the tweets. Cause they are true. Especially the Merckx ones.

 

[TheDude]

Merckx and to meet minimum post length I repeat Merckx

 

[Digger]

Vino was packing more blood cells than a race horse.

You really think he can ride clean and be worth squat?

Eddy says Lance is the best. I have it on video.

Course you do....how far is the restraining order again?

But if you genunely believe Lance to be better, you need help.

 

[pmcg76]

I think the OP is taking the p***, Holy crap Lance isnt even the 2nd best or maybe not even the 3rd best. Maybe a better argument would be is Armstrong better than Indurain or Coppi!!!

 

[Mellow Velo]

Overall Ranking
1. Eddy Merckx (BEL) 23232
2. Sean Kelly (IRL) 19189
3. Joop Zoetemelk (NED) 17127
4. Raymond Poulidor (FRA) 16194
5. Erik Zabel (GER) 15470
6. Gino Bartali (ITA) 15399
7. Francesco Moser (ITA) 14709
8. Laurent Jalabert (FRA) 14426
9. Bernard Hinault (FRA) 14069
10. Jacques Anquetil (FRA) 13841
11. Roger de Vlaeminck (BEL) 13501
12. Rik van Looy (BEL) 13435
13. Felice Gimondi (ITA) 13306
14. Louison Bobet (FRA) 12347
15.Lance Armstrong (USA) 12340

I have that on a top cycling website. The end.

 

[Lifeshape]

Please elaborate...

Maybe someone can help me out here, but when did PED usage become illegal? That is what I was trying to focus on. Not morally or ethically, but legal. What was considered the norm, or OK, then is not considered the norm now. During the Tour's inception, many riders used cocaine while on the bike. I was suggesting that during Merckx' days it was not yet revealed just how much PEDs improved performance. In fact, they weren't even labeled PEDs yet.