Trying to choose five of the best sprinters of all time? Impossible! But this isn’t supposed to be a definitive list, just an opinion. Some may not be the fastest, or the greatest of their era even. But they all brought something to racing, whether it was panache, style or sheer danger.
Fast Freddie was one of the most talented sprinters, from an outstanding generation of Flandrian talent. Twice World Road Race champion, Freddie’s life was complicated by personal problems. In 1981 though, he won five stages of the Tour de France as well as the Green Sprinters jersey.
Amassing an incredible nine Grand Tour points jerseys, with six consecutive green jerseys at the Tour de France, Erik is probably the greatest ever German cyclist.
‘Super Mario’, ‘Cippo’ is one of the all time greats. Flamboyant both on and off the bike, Cippo used a lead out train to great effect and was then capable of taking on a 350 metre sprint from the front. His 42 stage wins in the Giro is an all-time record, he’s yet to finish a Tour de France though.
Known for his wheelies on mountain passes, Robbie is also well known as the greatest sprinter of his time. With three Tour de France green jerseys he amassed twelve stage victories in total, along with twelve from the Giro. In 2007 he won the first stage of the Tour de France in Canterbury (after earlier crashing).
The only rider on the list still racing, Cav is the prolific sprinter of all time. Picking a favourite moment is difficult, but Stage 18 of the 2012 Tour takes it. Probably the greatest solo sprint of all time, even those riders beaten had to just laugh at it (see Nico Roche below).
Nico Roches reaction is hilarious.
Who’s missing from the list, who would you add? Please comment below.
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