FabSwingers.com forum: Philippe Gilbert; The greatest sportsman of all time

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 ?

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By *udistnorthantsMan
over a year ago

Desborough

My favourite is still Daley Thompson

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By *dward_TeagueMan
over a year ago

wolverhampton

After the weekend I think Tiger Woods is streets ahead in this race.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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By *dward_TeagueMan
over a year ago

wolverhampton

"After the weekend I think Tiger Woods is streets ahead in this race.

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.

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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 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.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"My favourite is still Daley Thompson "

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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..

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By *dward_TeagueMan
over a year ago

wolverhampton

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.

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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!

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By *ottsguy44Man
over a year ago

nottinghamshire

Muhammad Ali Or pele ?

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By *wosmilersCouple
over a year ago

Heathrowish

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.

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By *dward_TeagueMan
over a year ago

wolverhampton

I agree with the last post.

I have huge admiration for guys like Sir Steve Redgrave who is the only man to win 5 golds in an endurance sport in 5 consecutive Olympics. That is phenomenal.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Roger de vlaeminck to me was the king of cool in the 70s not even Sagan of the current crop come close IMHO

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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

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By *wosmilersCouple
over a year ago

Heathrowish

Nope....not heard of these guys either.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I would rate Chris Hoy up there with the greatest cyclists of all time with 6 Olympic Golds.

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