“CW asks” is a feature series in which our seasoned staff answers a series of questions. The series is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s an opportunity for us to share a bit of our personality and passion with you .As we delve into a few questions, feel free to ask your own questions to anne.rook@futurenet.com.
Previous questions:
Question 6: Who do you think is the greatest cyclist of all time?
Vern Pitt, News and Features Editor
(Image credit: Getty Images)
I’m always struck by how our sport, unlike many others, has such a strong consensus on this issue, but the breadth and variety of Eddie Merckx are hard to argue with – as much as my inner non-conformist wants.
The only person who comes close, in my opinion, is Marianne Vosbut she is not yet retired so it is difficult to assess.
Hannah Bussey, Technical Editor
(Image credit: Luc Claessen / Getty)
I’m having a really hard time pinning this down, as the term “excellent” can have many definitions in cycling.
Obviously, no subject of the greatest cyclists could miss the names of Kitty Knox or Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor. Both rode and competed during the same era, from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, and both faced open discrimination. It is difficult to imagine having to face and overcome such unfair obstacles to access cycling. We can often forget this when we consider “great cyclists” by considering only a white man’s narrative.
My first inspiration came from the great Alphonsine Strada. His story impacted me when I started taking horse riding seriously. I was often the only woman training and racing with my team. When someone spoke to me Alfosina Strada leads the men at the Giro d’Italia and the Tour of Lombardy in the 1920s, I was so inspired. This is probably what made me want to pursue my dream of becoming a professional driver, even though I often finish at the back of the pack in male-dominated races. I never made it as a full-time professional, but I traveled the world trying to do it and got into cycling because of it, which is a close second.
My GOAT, however, is Marianne Vos. She was an Olympic road and track champion, as well as a world and national champion in several cycling disciplines. Vos has won races not only because of her incredible strength, but also because she has mastered the craft of cycling, both skillfully and tactically. She also really, really wants to win. On the starting line, she never doubts her abilities or questions her right to be there. Vos is her biggest cheerleader, and we need more self-confidence for women in sports.
Anna Abram, Fitness Features Editor
Marianne Vos wins Olympic gold at London 2012
(Image credit: Getty Images)
For me it must be Marianne Vos. His dominance in multiple disciplines over the past two decades has been truly incredible. Two Olympic gold medals in road and track racing, three times world champion in road racing and eight times world champion in cyclo-cross: she more than certainly has the track record to secure her place in the pantheon of greats all time.
But more than that, I like the way she runs. So explosive, so animated – and even in those moments when she takes an unassailable lead and the race is almost stalled, you are always there with her, giving her the will to continue!
For me, the race that sticks in my mind more than any other is the London 2012 Olympic Road Race, fought in pouring rain and finished on The Mall. Even though I was rooting for Lizzie Armistead (now Lizzie Deignan) of Great Britain, finally beaten to second place, Vos’ victory was as elegant as ever.
Joe Baker, Technical Editor
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Tadej Pogacar. It’s definitely my young age that shines through here, but for me, no one has a better attitude towards racing than the Slovenian superstar.
Every time he lines up, no matter the race, he wants to win – and a worrying proportion of the time he does. Graceful in defeat and respectful in success, he is an inhuman blend of strength, endurance and mental resilience. And above all, he does it with a smile on his face.
