The Virtual Musette: A Road Cycling Blog

The April issue of Cycle Sport America features articles on two of cycling’s legends, Lance Armstrong and Roger De Vlaeminck. There is no doubt that both of these riders are giants of the sport, but when comparing them, one cannot help but notice their differences; it would be difficult to find any two riders with such dissimilar palmares (career winnings).

Even the most casual of cycling fans are aware that Armstrong’s legacy in the sport was secured by his record-setting seven consecutive wins in the most prominent race on the calendar, the Tour de France. Lance’s name will forever be linked to the La Grande Boucle (The Big Loop), and his amazing string of victories will serve as a benchmark of excellence for generations of cyclists.

Although Lance was World Road Race Champion early on in his career, it must also be noted that his lifetime victory count does not include even one of cycling’s premier single day events, the Monuments. These are the most prestigious Classics on the calendar, and include Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and the Tour of Lombardy. Further, Armstrong never once entered cycling’s other preeminent stage race, the Giro d'Italia. only had one participation in cycling's other preeminent Grand Tour, the Giro d'Italia.

Far less well known, especially among many American fans, are the accomplishments of Roger De Vlaeminck. His track record in one day races is simply one of the best in the history of the sport. Along with only Eddy Merckx and Rik Van Looy, he won all five of cycling’s Monuments. Consider this: there are only three cyclists who have achieved this amazing Monument sweep, as compared to five cyclists who were able to win the Tour five times (Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault, Indurain, and Armstrong). Which is the greater accomplishment?

De Vlaeminck's talent on the cobbles, and place in cycling history, is reflected in one of his nicknames, Mr. Paris Roubaix; he is the only rider to have won the Queen of the Classics an amazing four times, one of the few records not owned by the great Eddy Merckx.

As impressive as these palmares may be, like Lance Armstrong, Roger’s career is missing some important milestones.  He entered the Tour de France three times, did win one of its stages, but he never managed to finish the race even once. Further, he never wore the rainbow jersey, designating a win in the World Road Race Championships.

Indeed, Armstrong and De Vlaeminck represent cycling’s yin and yang, each with overwhelming, dominating success in one type of racing, contrasted with absolutely no wins in another. How can one possibly compare riders with such different talents and careers, an analysis further complicated when the two competed in different eras? Ultimately, what is the proper place for both athletes in the pecking order of all time greats?

I will endeavor to answer both of those questions in the coming weeks months. I’ve developed a point system which was used to identify, and rank, the top 25 cyclists of the modern era (1938 – present).  I’ll discuss the problems inherent in developing such a system; which races were included, and the point values assigned to each; the adjustment formulas which were used to recognize special lifetime accomplishments; and finally, the actual results with both point totals and final rider rankings - rest assured, there will be some surprises.

The project has been a true labor of love and I look forward to sharing the results, which will invariably spark a fair bit of controversy and debate. When it’s all said and done, I’m hopeful The Virtual Musette will provide cycling fans with a deeper appreciation for the sport’s rich history, and also serve as a primer for some of its greatest riders – giants of the road who are often overlooked when discussing “the best cyclists ever.”

Stay tuned for The Team Chef’s Top 25 Riders of the Modern Era…

Photo Credits:  Lance Armstrong, Cox and Forcum; Roger De Vlaeminck, Woldhek