Chapter 76

AI, THE MOST FAMOUS PROFESSIONAL CYCLISTS IN HUMANITY

It is a challenge due to the diversity of opinions and the evolution of the sport over time; names that are generally considered iconic in the world of cycling; These cyclists have left an indelible mark on the history of world cycling and continue to be remembered as some of the most important and successful figures in the sport.

1.    Eddy Merckx : Born in Belgium in 1945, Eddy Merckx is considered by many to be the greatest cyclist of all time. During his career, which spanned from the 1960s to the early 1970s, Merckx dominated professional cycling, winning an impressive number of major races. Among his achievements are five victories in the Tour de France (1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1974), five victories in the Giro d'Italia (1968, 1970, 1972, 1973 and 1974) and three world road cycling championships. (1967, 1971 and 1974), among many other titles and records. Merckx was known for his incredible versatility as a cyclist, excelling in time trials, climbing and sprints.

2.    Fausto Coppi : Italian, born in 1919, is a legend of Italian and world cycling. He dominated cycling in the 1940s and early 1950s, winning major races such as the Tour de France (1949, 1952), the Giro d'Italia (1940, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953) and the World Road Championship (1953). Coppi was known for his elegant style on the bike and his ability to dominate both mountain stages and time trials.

3.    Miguel Indurain : Spanish, born in 1964; He is one of the most successful cyclists in the history of the Tour de France. During the 1990s, Indurain won the Tour de France five consecutive times (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995), becoming the first cyclist to achieve this feat since Eddy Merckx. He also won the Giro d'Italia twice (1992, 1993) and was world road time trial champion in 1995.

4.    Bernard Hinault : French, born in 1954; he is known as "The Badger" and is one of the most successful cyclists in the history of the Tour de France. He won the race five times (1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1985) and also took multiple victories at the Giro d'Italia and other major races. Hinault was known for his strength and aggression on the bike, as well as his ability to dominate both mountain stages and time trials.

5.    Jacques Anquetil : French, born 1934; He was one of the first cyclists to win the three grand tours by stages (Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a España). He won the Tour de France five times (1957, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964), the Giro d'Italia twice (1960, 1964) and the Vuelta a España once (1963). Anquetil was known for his time trial style and his ability to control races from start to finish.

6.    Lance Armstrong : Born in the United States in 1971, Lance Armstrong is one of the most controversial cyclists in the history of sport due to his involvement in a doping scandal . Before being stripped of his titles, Armstrong won the Tour de France seven consecutive times (1999-2005), becoming an iconic figure in the world of cycling. He also overcame testicular cancer before his return to professional cycling.

7.    Greg LeMond – Born in the United States in 1961, Greg LeMond was the first American cyclist to win the Tour de France. He won the race three times (1986, 1989, 1990) and was also a two-time world champion (1983, 1989). LeMond is known for his time trial skills and his ability to recover from serious injuries, such as the one he suffered in a hunting accident in 1987.

Felice Gimondi :

 Italian born in 1942: was an Italian road racer who won major races in the 1960s and early 1970s. He won the Tour de France in 1965, the Giro d'Italia three times (1967, 1969, 1976) and the Vuelta a Espana once (1968). Gimondi was known for his versatility as a cyclist and his ability to compete on a variety of terrain.

Beryl Burton – a British cyclist who dominated women's cycling in the 1960s and 1970s, winning numerous national and international championships, as well as setting solo distance records.

Marianne Vos: One of the most successful cyclists in the history of women's cycling, with multiple world titles, classic race victories and Olympic medals.

Alberto Contador : This Spanish cyclist won the Tour de France twice, the Giro d'Italia twice and the Vuelta a Espana three times, before retiring in 2017.