Whether you are a cycling fan or just curious, the debate about the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) always sparks discussions. Throughout the history of this sport, several legendary names keep coming up: Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil, Miguel Indurain, Chris Froome, and Tadej Pogačar.
Table of Contents
Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil... (Cycling)
Results in the Grand Tours
- Eddy Merckx: 11 victories (5 Tour de France, 5 Giro d’Italia, 1 Vuelta a España).
- Bernard Hinault: 10 victories (5 TDF, 3 Giro, 2 Vuelta).
- Fausto Coppi: 7 victories (2 TDF, 5 Giro).
- Jacques Anquetil: 8 victories (5 TDF, 2 Giro, 1 Vuelta).
- Miguel Indurain: 7 victories (5 TDF, 2 Giro).
- Chris Froome: 7 victories (4 TDF, 1 Giro, 2 Vuelta).
- Tadej Pogačar: 2 victories (Tour de France).
These legends have set records that still carry significant weight in modern cycling.
| Eddy Merckx | Bernard Hinault | Fausto Coppi | Jacques Anquetil | Miguel Indurain | Chris Froome | Tadej Pogačar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour de France | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Giro d’Italia | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Vuelta a España | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Milan-San Remo | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tour of Flanders | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Paris-Roubaix | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Liège–Bastogne–Liège | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Tour of Lombardy | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Records & Notable Achievements
- Eddy Merckx: 34 stage wins in the Tour de France, Hour Record (49.431 km on 10/25/1972), and 96 days in the yellow jersey.
- Bernard Hinault: Wins in all three Grand Tours, 10 total victories (including 5 TDF), and 79 days in the yellow jersey.
- Fausto Coppi: First to achieve the Giro–Tour double (1949 and 1952) and triple Road World Champion.
- Jacques Anquetil: Five-time Tour de France winner, nicknamed “Monsieur Chrono,” and the first to achieve the Vuelta–Tour double (1963).
- Miguel Indurain: 5 consecutive Tours (1991–1995) and 2 Giri, famed for his consistency.
- Chris Froome: 4 Tour de France wins, 1 Giro, and 2 Vueltas, remarkable in both mountains and time trials.
- Tadej Pogačar: The new prodigy, with 2 Tour de France victories and several Classics wins before turning 25.
Each achievement reflects an extraordinary performance that has left a mark on cycling history.
Doping
Cycling has witnessed numerous scandals related to doping. High-profile cases have tarnished the image of the sport.
- Lance Armstrong: His 7 consecutive Tour de France victories (1999–2005) were revoked in October 2012 following the USADA report.
- Jan Ullrich: Winner of the 1997 Tour, he was suspended and his results since May 2005 were annulled following the Operación Puerto case.
- Floyd Landis: Initially the 2006 Tour de France winner, he was stripped of the title after testing positive for testosterone.
- Bjarne Riis: Winner of the 1996 Tour, he admitted to doping (notably EPO); his victory remains controversial.
The consequences have been severe: titles annulled, suspensions, and a reputation left permanently scarred. Today, modern cycling has reinforced its anti-doping controls.
Statistical Comparison
| Statistics | Eddy Merckx (Belgium) |
Bernard Hinault (France) |
Fausto Coppi (Italy) |
Jacques Anquetil (France) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 17, 1945 | November 14, 1954 | September 15, 1919 | January 8, 1934 |
| Grand Tours Won | 11 | 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Stage Wins (Tour de France) | 34 | 28 | 9 | 16 |
| Stage Wins (Giro d’Italia) | 25 | 18 | 22 | 6 |
| Stage Wins (Vuelta a España) | 6 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| Monuments (Classics) | 19 | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| World Championship | 3 times | 1 time | 2 times | 0 |
GOAT by Generation
- 1940s–50s: Fausto Coppi, elegance and flair.
- 1960s: Jacques Anquetil, the first “Monsieur Chrono.”
- 1970s: Eddy Merckx, the “Cannibal” who won everything.
- 1980s: Bernard Hinault, the “Badger” with a steel mind.
- 1990s: Miguel Indurain, five-time Tour de France winner.
- Since the 2000s: Chris Froome, Tadej Pogačar, and others leading the new era.
Each generation sees its own “GOAT.” Cycling keeps evolving, yet the passion remains the same.
Conclusion
The record of Eddy Merckx remains unique. For many, he is the greatest cyclist of all time.
Bernard Hinault, Fausto Coppi, and Jacques Anquetil each dominated their respective eras with legendary feats. Their performances, along with the doping controversies that have rocked the sport, show how cycling is both thrilling and complex.
Selecting a single GOAT depends as much on the numbers as on the emotions they inspire. The debate remains open, and each generation brings its own heroes.
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