Who's the most aesthetically pleasing rider?

[Oliwright]

Its between two riders for me ...Adam or Simon Yates. Hard to choose between them but there out in front.

On a real note Contador hands down.

 

[BalearicBeats]

Re:

Kiriyenka never ever looks any different at any point in any race.

Cavendish in sprints just oozes natural talent.

Oh man I forgot about Kiriyienka, looking at him on a climb is a real treat, just like Szmyd back when he was good.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Greg LeMond

 

[manolo57]

Sagan is pure class on a bike. Look at him riding in the last km of Tour of Flanders or WC, his legs moving with such power is a real treat for eyes.

Wiggins on a TT bike also. And Contador, Purito, Rolland, and Alaphilippe.

 

[LosBrolin]

Ryan Mullen on a TT bike

 

[The Hegelian]

Rolland is coming up quite a bit - I reckon he's got an amazing position. Unbelievably flat back, and very symmetrical. But for some reason, I don't find his style aesthetically pleasing. Not sure why.

Have to agree wholeheartedly with Pantani. Was just an absolute joy to watch him attack up a climb.

Agree that Indurain definitely deserves a mention. Elegant and effortless.

Lemond - raw power, but usually put in a lot of upper body in his climbing. Don't think he cuts it.

 

[dastott]

Past - Bugno, Breukink, Indurain

Present - Wiggins, Dumoulin, Kruijswijk

 

[jsem94]

Lmao at Wiggo. He looks like he has a pregnancy when riding road. On a TT bike he looks excellent though.

Contador dancing on the pedals is poetry in motion.

 

[dacooley]

froome's seated accelerations

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Does it have to be a pro rider?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Does it have to be a pro rider?

Yourself? Pics!

 

[Von Mises]

Until 2006, Basso was cool to watch(though his upper body started rocking a bit on very steep stuff), especially Was he ever out of the saddle?

Contador and Schleck climbing.

Wiggins TTing.

Indurain, very smooth.

 

[Yingge]

Re:

Every part of his body was moving in a different direction but combined it was like a brilliant and absolutely mad symphony. Im having trouble finding a picture that does him justice.

Evans looked really comfortable on a TT Bike too - especially that day in Grenoble - so smooth.

 

[Jan the Man]

Technically Klöden was almost perfect on a bike.

 

[chiocciolis_calves]

HIstorically:

Stephen Roche
Felice Gimondi
Gianni Bugno
Francesco Moser
Roberto Heras
Gibo
Fondriest
And, you might laugh, but Aitor Gonzalez

Current:
Lots of stylish riders like Boonen, Cancellara, Rolland, etc. but Pippo Pozzato is the most stylish on a bike: great position, supple pedal stroke, like Moser, he seems to glide along.

 

[Pandora]

Past: Ullrich, Kloden, McGee

Present: Contador, Capecchi

 

[manolo57]

Atapuma also.

 

[Alexandre B.]

According to Lucien Aimar, Rik Van Looy and Jacques Anquetil.
According to me, Alberto Contador (top form only), Peter Sagan and Andreas Klöden.

 

[happytramp]

Jacques.... No question.

 

[Angliru]

I have to add Moreno Argentin and a New Zealand pro who retired relatively recently that reminded me of Argentin whose name escapes me at the moment. I loved to watch these two in action.

Edit: Hayden Roulston is his name. Retired last year.

 

[staubsauger]

Historically Lance Armstrong & Marco Pantani! Certainly very unique and memorable style on the bike.

Currently it might be Steven Kruijswijk. Simply smooth & cool looking.

Notable mentions: Virenque, Simoni, Contador, Rasmussen, Savoldelli downhill,

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

like duh

 

[Kokoso]

Re:

Jacques.... No question.

Looks as if he was dodging bullets

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Re:

According to Lucien Aimar, Rik Van Looy and Jacques Anquetil.
According to me, Alberto Contador (top form only), Peter Sagan and Andreas Klöden.

Despite all the great things that Sagan brings to the table, "Aesthetically pleasing" are not the words I would use to describe his style. On normal flat roads, cobbles, sprints etc, I must say that his bulky thighs combined with the outwards angle of the knees (this is one of the worst-looking characteristics when talking style) is not a treat to my eye. His descending style is a different matter, however.

Otherwise I agree about the other choices, especially Klöden, whom I've always thought of as quite an elegant climber with his 90 degree (almost!) elbow angle and lack of upper body movement.

 

[DFA123]

I always though there was something aesthetically appealing about Ullrich's style - especially when he was overweight and didn't get up from the saddle much.

One of my favourite cycling videos of all time (great camerawork) was his win at Emilia in 2001. Basically a fat bloke attacking and sprinting up all the 10%+ slopes of the Madonna di San Luca in the big ring - with such a beautifully round pedal action and slow cadence. His style made to look all the better when contrasted against Basso fighting the bike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmjUCOwcOT8