FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > Philippe Gilbert; The greatest sportsman of all time
Philippe Gilbert; The greatest sportsman of all time
Jump to: Newest in thread
 |
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
Gilbert won his fourth cycling monument on Sunday, Paris Roubaix, the only cyclist in the peloton to have 4, he only needs Milan San Remo to complete the 5 and be the only cyclist in history to do so.
Paris Roubaix is the most brutal race in the hardest sport in the world, so in conclusion does this make him the greatest sportsman and supreme athlete competing at this present time ? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"After the weekend I think Tiger Woods is streets ahead in this race."
I just have a problem comparing cycling 200 miles across cobbles and dusty roads, competing with the fittest men on the planet, to walking around a field putting a ball in a hole. I could except it more if they carried their own clubs. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Not sure. But he is a very complete rider and always very entretaining to watch."
Love watching him race. I didn’t think he could win Roubaix, cause I thought it was to flat for him. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"After the weekend I think Tiger Woods is streets ahead in this race.
I just have a problem comparing cycling 200 miles across cobbles and dusty roads, competing with the fittest men on the planet, to walking around a field putting a ball in a hole. I could except it more if they carried their own clubs. "
I agree to a point, and I’m no particular fan of golf, but his comeback is phenomenal. It’s a fantastic achievement to win 15 Masters. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"After the weekend I think Tiger Woods is streets ahead in this race.
I just have a problem comparing cycling 200 miles across cobbles and dusty roads, competing with the fittest men on the planet, to walking around a field putting a ball in a hole. I could except it more if they carried their own clubs.
I agree to a point, and I’m no particular fan of golf, but his comeback is phenomenal. It’s a fantastic achievement to win 15 Masters. "
Yeah, I’ll give you that. I didn’t think he would win anything again, he certainly has something. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
Err... Rick van looy,Eddy merckx and mr paris rouxbix himself ,Roger de vlaeminck all won the five monuments,'king' Kelly won 4 ,dominated Paris - nice for 7 years n won a vuelta,so good as Gilbert is,no where near the best |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *r MoriartyMan
over a year ago
The Land that time forgot (Norfolk) |
"After the weekend I think Tiger Woods is streets ahead in this race."
I prefer sports that require mainly skills or technique to be successful at rather than ones that rely largely on fitness levels so I would tend to agree, very subjective though. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Not sure. But he is a very complete rider and always very entretaining to watch.
Love watching him race. I didn’t think he could win Roubaix, cause I thought it was to flat for him. "
I have to say I thought it would be roubaix that would be the stumbling block to him claiming all 5 monuments, MSR is definitely within his capabilities
I didn't see Sundays race as I was away but it's a race I love. I've been over to watch it back in the 90s and it is unbelievable up close |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Err... Rick van looy,Eddy merckx and mr paris rouxbix himself ,Roger de vlaeminck all won the five monuments,'king' Kelly won 4 ,dominated Paris - nice for 7 years n won a vuelta,so good as Gilbert is,no where near the best "
You’re right, I was a bit lazy not to check, I wasn’t sure whether the names you mentioned had done it or not. The thread was a bit tongue n cheek, only started cause someone asked if Tiger Woods was the best, on the same day Gilbert won Roubaix and he didn’t get a mention. No one will come close to Mercyx, in cycling terms, it’s not possible to dominate one day races and Grand Tours now, even Sagan couldn’t come close to achieving that. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *irthandgirthMan
over a year ago
Camberley occasionally doncaster |
"After the weekend I think Tiger Woods is streets ahead in this race.
I prefer sports that require mainly skills or technique to be successful at rather than ones that rely largely on fitness levels so I would tend to agree, very subjective though."
In that case Ronnie O'Sullivan.. beating world class players left handed for shits and giggles?
Or he about Roger Federer? Consumate skill with athleticism, beating guys years younger than him.. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
As much as I admire sportsmen that dominate sports such as golf and tennis, it does get a little dull seeing the same people always winning major events. I prefer competition, although Woods’ victory at the weekend was story book stuff. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
Gilbert is one of Deceuninck's hidden hard men agree, but there are already three guys before him who have won all five of the monuments - Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx & my favourite all time rider Roger De Vlaeminck. The Cannibal was the best rider ever in terms of achievements, but the Gypsy was so, so stylish.. (go watch "a sunday in hell" it's on youtube) There aren't many sports out there whereby you have to race for a minimum of 6-7hrs every two to four days on average, train every single day for at least 4-6 hours (when not racing) 364 days a year - sitting on a saddle that's for sure!  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
It's something that will always be subjective.
My starting point is to be top of their game at a world level.
Secondly that the opposition was credible.
Thirdly that they make an i.pact in their sport beyond their time in competition.
Finally they must be widely recognised as an icon.
I am sorry to say that cyclists are usually pretty anonymous and tainted by the drug scandals that have beset their sport.
While I would respect the OPs point of view, it may be that he is an unashamed cycling fan without the appetite for other sports. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Gilbert is one of Deceuninck's hidden hard men agree, but there are already three guys before him who have won all five of the monuments - Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx & my favourite all time rider Roger De Vlaeminck. The Cannibal was the best rider ever in terms of achievements, but the Gypsy was so, so stylish.. (go watch "a sunday in hell" it's on youtube) There aren't many sports out there whereby you have to race for a minimum of 6-7hrs every two to four days on average, train every single day for at least 4-6 hours (when not racing) 364 days a year - sitting on a saddle that's for sure! "
De vlaeminck used to go out training early,get back home,put his PJ's on n wait for training partner,Walter Goodefroot,then shortly after going out training pretend to be tired n head home,promoting the lazy image so it came as a shock when he just rode away in the classics  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
» Add a new message to this topic
