Cav's TdF record

[mjr]

I think they're both very fortunate* in having a partner in the PERFECT situation to support/encourage their own career.

But it's already cost Pog a shot at the Olympics, where he flounced because Urs̆ka wasn't selected, and a TdF final stage win because he hadn't raced it before like WvA had.</sarcasm>

 

[gsk82]

Neither Hinault or Merckx had won a Grand Tour before they were 24. Indurain won his first at 27. Lemond won his first Tour at 25. I'd say it's only very recently that riders of Onley's age were in any way competitive. For most of cycling's history 22 year olds wouldn't be, and the peak was regarded as late 20s, early 30s.

There's every chance it'll return to that and we've just gone through a step up in level that the eldest in this new generation have benefited from.

 

[Sharky]

Neither Hinault or Merckx had won a Grand Tour before they were 24. Indurain won his first at 27. Lemond won his first Tour at 25. I'd say it's only very recently that riders of Onley's age were in any way competitive. For most of cycling's history 22 year olds wouldn't be, and the peak was regarded as late 20s, early 30s.

There are always riders that don't follow the rules. Jaques Anquetil, if my maths is correct, won the Gran Prix de nations at age 19 and his first TdF at 23yrs.

 

[Aravis]

Neither Hinault or Merckx had won a Grand Tour before they were 24. Indurain won his first at 27. Lemond won his first Tour at 25. I'd say it's only very recently that riders of Onley's age were in any way competitive. For most of cycling's history 22 year olds wouldn't be, and the peak was regarded as late 20s, early 30s.

Both Hinault and Merckx won GTs at 23. Examples of very young GT winners are Saronni (21), Gimondi (22) and Fignon (22). Does that alter the picture at all?

 

[Dogtrousers]

There's every chance it'll return to that and we've just gone through a step up in level that the eldest in this new generation hand benefited from.

Indeed. You can see the diagonal slope as a dominant rider gets older.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I seemed to see several previously top rider drop a lot after Covid and all that

The younger ones seemed to come out of it better than the old ones

some exceptions such as Cav - and Froome was screwed by an injury I seem to remember
but maybe without Lockdown he would have recovered better?


who knows anyway

 

[cyberknight]

In the past riders were not considered for GT until they were more mature but with the advent of the information era even young amateurs have access to training methods, diet etc that only the pros used to get so they are turning pro and they are already at full speed , whether this means they burn out earlier who knows.

 

[ColinJ]

In the past riders were not considered for GT until they were more mature but with the advent of the information era even young amateurs have access to training methods, diet etc that only the pros used to get so they are turning pro and they are already at full speed , whether this means they burn out earlier who knows.

At one time, top pros were great despite the advice they got, rather than because of it... A huge steak for pre-race breakfast and no drinks for the first few hours?!!

 

[No Ta Doctor]

In the past riders were not considered for GT until they were more mature but with the advent of the information era even young amateurs have access to training methods, diet etc that only the pros used to get so they are turning pro and they are already at full speed , whether this means they burn out earlier who knows.

There was also the "paying your dues" aspect, where young riders would be expected to put a few seasons in at the coalface, so to speak, domestiqueing for the older riders. Miguel Indurain had ridden 6 Tour de Frances before he won in '91 - and even then Delgado was the team leader that year.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Didn't Hainault win his first tour? None of this messing around as an apprentice for the Badger. Zero to Patron.

 

[cyberknight]

Didn't Hainault win his first tour? None of this messing around as an apprentice for the Badger. Zero to Patron.

He did but his career was planned not to do the tour for the 1st few years and the 78 tour had the issue with the then GC leader using a bladder with someone else's pee in to try and avoid doping control leading him to getting dq

 

[phreak]

Didn't Hainault win his first tour? None of this messing around as an apprentice for the Badger. Zero to Patron.

Fignon famously won his first as well.

 

[cyberknight]

Fignon famously won his first as well.

because hinault had to pull out due to damaged knee , his second win did confirm he was a worthy winner of course then fignon damaged his Achilles heel which robbed him of form for many years where i think he could have challenged for a lot more wins

 

[Ming the Merciless]

At one time, top pros were great despite the advice they got, rather than because of it... A huge steak for pre-race breakfast and no drinks for the first few hours?!!

Where do I sign up, but with beer?

 

[Aravis]

By my reckoning there have been 41 winners of the Tour since WW2 (including Armstrong). Here they all are, grouped according to the number of editions they needed to score their first wins. Rather like snow in March, a debut win isn't particularly unusual: