Even the title of this post doesn't make any sense. Everything has a consequence and I'm not even sure I am "musing" or know how to "muse."
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As I'm "watching" (it's actually reading) live updates on VeloNews of La Fleche Wallonne and CPelkey, the guy doing the updating, mentions Contador seemingly every chance he gets I start to wonder if there will ever be another rider like Eddy Merckx who could win every race he ever showed up to? And, I almost immediately answer my own question but with a caveat; no, but maybe.
Even a guy like Contador can't win all the time. Contador isn't going to ever win Paris-Roubaix and maybe because he just won't ever race it. It's a different age of racing where people are much more specialized.
Here's an MAT style analogy I definitely would have gotten correct:
Eddy Merckx : Cycling :: LaBron James : Basketball
LaBron can basically play every position on the floor and in a lot of cases better than the guys who are actually, 4s or 5s. Want to put a small guy on him to disrupt his ability to drive, fine, he shoots over the guy. Want to put a big guy on him to take away the outside jumper, fine, he drives past. He's really a defensive match up nightmare and I'm obviously not the first person to point this out. LaBron James isn't a 2 or 3 or anything, he plays the position of basketball player and that makes him phenomal.
Much in the same way Eddy Merckx wasn't a classics rider or a stage racer. He won practically everything he ever entered and instead of riding the first week of the classics and then taking a break he basically raced every time there was a starting line. I'm pretty sure Eddy Merckx would turn himself inside out at the local 5k if he decided he wanted to win the thing. And, he probably would.
Today, guys specialize. That's just how it is. You know why Lance Armstrong could win 7 Tour de Frances in a row, because it was the only race that he went to with a real objective. If Eddy Merckx had focused solely on the Tour he'd probably have won it at least a few more than 5.
To answer my own question, no, nobody will ever be a rider like Eddy Merckx, unless of course there is, and won't that be fun!
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If you're a fan of bike racing then you're a fan of Phil Ligget. I dare anyone to try and justify a single reason as to not love the way this guy commentates a race. The same VeloNews coverage posted some "Ligget-isms" and they are each awesome, funny and true. If you don't know what he's referring to, allow me:
"And so, the first pedal has been turned in anger," - They've started trying.
"The elastic has snapped" - When chasing a guy/break and you realize you're not going to make it and you sit up/give up.
"And the heads of state have come to the fore" - important riders are now showing themselves.
"Are they on the road to stardom? Or are they lambs to the slaughter?" - gutsy dudes on long breaks and it looks like they just might make it. Win a long break, you're a star, get caught, well, you feel like you're that lamb.
"He climbs like an angel" - apparently angels are very good at riding bikes up big mountains.
"The little man with the big heart" - Think Thomas Voeckler circa 2004 Tour de France.
"He's dancing on his pedals in a most immodest way" - Attacking on a steep climb.
"He's suffering like he never suffered before" - Ouch.
"He's wearing the mask of pain" - You can tell that he's hurting.
"Once you pull on that golden fleece, You become two men" - Referring to a rider to keeps the yellow jersey in the Tour despite all odds that say he should lose it. It can make you ride above your own limits to keep it for one more day.
"He turns around to look, But he's not going to see any riders back there.
Not even with glasses on because they're all far, far behind him." - I've actually never heard him say this. Doesn't mean he hasn't.
There are so many more.
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Lastly, saw on Twitter that Bob Roll is going to be in Waldorf, MD at a bike shop on Friday night at 8:30p telling stories. I obviously got excited, but this event has confirmed just how awesome my girlfriend is. She has no idea who Bob Roll is but immediately insisted that we go. Probably because of the ridiculous five year old grin and maybe the jumping up and down with excitement that suddenly came over me. Hopefully she finds him entertaining and his stories will make sense to someone that isn't a self described bike geek. She's the best! You should all be jealous.
4 comments:
I am jealous, I would love to see Bob Roll. I am excited for you and hope Jill enjoys him.
And of course I think Phil Ligget is one of the best bike commentates there is.
Merckx never won Paris-Tours, so he didn't win everything... He did win like 30% of all the races he ever entered though!
Cancellara is the only rider I see today who can win all 5 Monuments - he already has the sprinters race in MSR, and he is certainly capable of LBL and Lombardy!
Merckx also never won at Bryan Park!
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