The best/most exciting attack ever.

dave_1

No tA Doctor wrote:

If we're talking juiced up then Riis on Hautacam 96 is pretty impressive. Done with quite a bit of style, claimed it was inspired by Fignon.

In Fignon's biography he describes Riis as a good domestique but under normal conditions,all things being equal, not a Tour De France winner! So, I wonder what Riis thinks of that..?

No_Ta_Doctor

Dave_1 wrote:

No tA Doctor wrote:

If we're talking juiced up then Riis on Hautacam 96 is pretty impressive. Done with quite a bit of style, claimed it was inspired by Fignon.

In Fignon's biography he describes Riis as a good domestique but under normal conditions,all things being equal, not a Tour De France winner! So, I wonder what Riis thinks of that..?

Well I expect Riis would opt for the "everyone was at it, level playing field" argument, but I make Fignon right.

I'd actually just moved to Denmark about 9 months earlier, and Riis' "win" was absolutely huge here. Tens of thousands gave him a hero's welcome in the town hall

Innocent days....

Physically he wouldn't have been capable of winning in a clean race, but mentally and tactically I think he was a crafty rider with more than a touch of cunning. Hautacam is the best example of it, he takes full control, a series of attacks sizing up his opposition, slimming the field, and then rides off the front. That's what he claims to have learnt from Fignon. It's utterly devastating and he completely breaks Indurain. And TrueChampion style he did it in yellow ;-) It's just he couldn't have done it without his famous 60%.

dave_1

No tA Doctor wrote:

Dave_1 wrote:

No tA Doctor wrote:

If we're talking juiced up then Riis on Hautacam 96 is pretty impressive. Done with quite a bit of style, claimed it was inspired by Fignon.

In Fignon's biography he describes Riis as a good domestique but under normal conditions,all things being equal, not a Tour De France winner! So, I wonder what Riis thinks of that..?

Well I expect Riis would opt for the "everyone was at it, level playing field" argument, but I make Fignon right.

I'd actually just moved to Denmark about 9 months earlier, and Riis' "win" was absolutely huge here. Tens of thousands gave him a hero's welcome in the town hall

Innocent days....

Physically he wouldn't have been capable of winning in a clean race, but mentally and tactically I think he was a crafty rider with more than a touch of cunning. Hautacam is the best example of it, he takes full control, a series of attacks sizing up his opposition, slimming the field, and then rides off the front. That's what he claims to have learnt from Fignon. It's utterly devastating and he completely breaks Indurain. And TrueChampion style he did it in yellow ;-) It's just he couldn't have done it without his famous 60%.

Riis would always have been good eh. Stage win at 1989 Giro but but to be a TDF winner ..that now seems incredible looking back.

This is mighty impressive pace but not overt attacking ..3 or 4 have a go at holding his wheel and forced to swing off, let next guy have a go at holding on. no chance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhEKRjhLuds

rick_chasey

Indurian's a big guy isn't he?

greasedscotsman

Dave_1 wrote:

So, I wonder what Riis thinks of that..?

He's probably not that bothered.

rick_chasey

Dave_1 wrote:

No tA Doctor wrote:

If we're talking juiced up then Riis on Hautacam 96 is pretty impressive. Done with quite a bit of style, claimed it was inspired by Fignon.

In Fignon's biography he describes Riis as a good domestique but under normal conditions,all things being equal, not a Tour De France winner! So, I wonder what Riis thinks of that..?

I've heard that said more often.

I've also heard that Riis was especially good at the political and tactical side of racing.

TommyEss

Rick Chasey wrote:

Dave_1 wrote:

No tA Doctor wrote:

If we're talking juiced up then Riis on Hautacam 96 is pretty impressive. Done with quite a bit of style, claimed it was inspired by Fignon.

In Fignon's biography he describes Riis as a good domestique but under normal conditions,all things being equal, not a Tour De France winner! So, I wonder what Riis thinks of that..?

I've heard that said more often.

I've also heard that Riis was especially good at the political and tactical side of racing.

That probably held him in good stead as a DS.

shockedsoshocked

fastandfurry wrote:

ShockedSoShocked wrote:

Ullrich on the Arcalis, 97. Don't care how juiced he or the rest of the peloton were, but he rides the best off his wheel with ease. Strong and fluid, it's incredible to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5EocT-l ... re=related (start at 9 mins)

If that's the clip I'm thinking of, I love the way he casually looks at the view down the valley once he's dropped everyone!

There was a video from German TV called "Ullrich storming Andorra" that's been taken down that was the best one, where he just sits in the saddle and grinds it out smooth as you like. Honestly impressive.

Pantani a few days later too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYnCSSWg ... ure=relmfu

phreak

derbygrimpeur wrote:

Pantani, Les Deux Alpes
Mainly because I was there, had been out in the rain all day and heard chatter that Ullrich had bonked. Saw Pantani come flying past and then Ullrich ages later at a snails pace. Such a great experience as a 17 year old.

This for me too. I was mainly a swimmer up until that point but that was the most exciting thing I'd seen in sport. Brilliant to watch.

rick_chasey

ShockedSoShocked wrote:

Pantani a few days later too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYnCSSWg ... ure=relmfu

If people ever wonder why riders dope, they should watch that final climb!

dave_1

Rick Chasey wrote:

ShockedSoShocked wrote:

Pantani a few days later too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYnCSSWg ... ure=relmfu

If people ever wonder why riders dope, they should watch that final climb!

It's the out the saddle power climbing that we see from riders in the EPO era whose form can lead to only 1 conclusion as Rick points out.. Pantani and Armstrong maybe hold the record for the longest ever out of the saddle bursts on hors cat climbs. Pantani here is just insanely strong at 9 minutes 50 seconds to 11 minutes 15 seconds-pure out the saddle on drops power climbing.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELlGVREfg24

Armstrong in 2001 Alp D'huez stamps out the saddle for similar 90 second burst-at around 6mins 30 to 7.55 in the youtube clip ..even manages a look over shoulder while out seat..clearly not tired by this powerful attack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELlGVREfg24

rick_chasey

Speaking of Armstrong.

Must mention Hautacam.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6DmNMGEuI0

Only twice have I been excited by lance. This, and the famous cyclo-cross bit.

dodgy

I'll be honest and say that for the most part, I find pro cycling pretty boring to watch. But there have been some great pieces of footage shown here, makes you realise what a fantastic sport it is with so many subplots going on (scores to settle etc).

Didn't Virenque have the most graceful climbing style? I know he's out of the saddle, and therefore technically not efficient, but it's hypnotic to watch him do it for an hour at a time.

Moomaloid

As much as i hate to mention it and watching the speed of them ride uphill is frightening.... i'll never forget watching Armstrong getting dragged off his bike, Ulrich waiting and then Lance giving them all the stare before leaving them them dead...

Riis on Hautacam in '96 too... sickening now, but at the time, oh man....

Gazzetta67

1. Fignon dropping Hinault on L alpe d huez
2. Hinault & Herrera dropping the whole bunch 85 Tour
3. Kelly Catching Argentin to win Milan San Remo.
4. Pantani cracking Ullrich at Les Deux Alps 98 Tour

Robert Millar winning stages at Luchon & Guzet Neige & Superbagneres.

Moomaloid

Gazzetta67 wrote:

1. Fignon dropping Hinault on L alpe d huez
2. Hinault & Herrera dropping the whole bunch 85 Tour
3. Kelly Catching Argentin to win Milan San Remo.
4. Pantani cracking Ullrich at Les Deux Alps 98 Tour

Robert Millar winning stages at Luchon & Guzet Neige & Superbagneres.

Good shouts on 3. and the Millar wins...

RichN95.

Rick Chasey wrote:

Was it Hinault on his way to Luchon in the 1986 Tour?

Going back to Rick's original post - this stage was the first time I'd seen pro cycling. I was 14 and my french teacher had mentioned that the Tour was on Channel 4 so I, with nothing much to do at that time, had a look.

It was extraordinary. My experience of long distance racing at that time was basically limited to marathons, so the idea that a leader would open up a 5 minute gap and then be brought back and then destroyed was amazing to me. And so exciting. That stage is why I'm posting here now.

Others that I think haven't been mentioned:

Fignon (in yellow) and Mottet attacking on a flat stage in the 1989 Tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfITu-M5QvY

Jelle Nijdam in the 80s used to jump off the front of the bunch in the last few kms. This isn't really the best example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g2cPPWYvFc

Oscar Freire bunny hopping the central reservation to attack the breakaway and go the shorter way round a roundabout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-araCVvDmWU

Cancellara's forgotten attack at the 2008 Tour de Suisse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqGZbbUdwx4

My all time favourite breakaway - Joel Pelier in 1989 - read the comments to see why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1c_HlcRNio

And finally, one I read about in Winning magazine, but never saw - Charly Mottet winning the 1988 Giro di Lombardia. He just looked so cool in the photos.

dave_1

Which attack of these 3 is your favourite attack???? VDB, Bernard Hinault or Indurain breaking big front group with high tempo that has no element of surprise attack/ambush..just kills bunch with high tempo


in chronological order

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOX1YPfRxeE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhEKRjhLuds


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8MOQuF4_BI

jerry3571

derbygrimpeur wrote:

Pantani, Les Deux Alpes
Mainly because I was there, had been out in the rain all day and heard chatter that Ullrich had bonked. Saw Pantani come flying past and then Ullrich ages later at a snails pace. Such a great experience as a 17 year old.

Christ, you must have had pneumonia or something after watching that! Me and the family gave up and watched the race on tv in a bar at Alpe d'Huez. Bonkers! Long way to go to watch the race on tv. :x
Hats off to you; or hats on for you folks, I should say.

-Jerry

blazing_saddles

jerry3571 wrote:

derbygrimpeur wrote:

Pantani, Les Deux Alpes
Mainly because I was there, had been out in the rain all day and heard chatter that Ullrich had bonked. Saw Pantani come flying past and then Ullrich ages later at a snails pace. Such a great experience as a 17 year old.

Christ, you must have had pneumonia or something after watching that! Me and the family gave up and watched the race on tv in a bar at Alpe d'Huez. Bonkers! Long way to go to watch the race on tv. :x
Hats off to you; or hats on for you folks, I should say.

-Jerry

Funnily enough, it was on Rai Sport 2, last night.

phreak

Decent sized clip of it here too (30 mins anyway)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=123Xo9mFqeE

rick_chasey

phreak wrote:

Decent sized clip of it here too (30 mins anyway)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=123Xo9mFqeE

Is my first memory of cycling that.

Was 10, watched it with my Dutch grandfather in Holland.

He just kept saying "Ulrich heeft pap beenen". (porridge legs), and kept calling Pantani the 'olifantje' (little elephant).

S'what got me into cycling.

Also - best kit & bike combo ever.

bigmat

Moomaloid wrote:

Riis on Hautacam in '96 too... sickening now, but at the time, oh man....

Sickening at the time :evil:

bigmat

Dave_1 wrote:

Which attack of these 3 is your favourite attack???? VDB, Bernard Hinault or Indurain breaking big front group with high tempo that has no element of surprise attack/ambush..just kills bunch with high tempo


in chronological order

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOX1YPfRxeE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhEKRjhLuds


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8MOQuF4_BI

I think that is the Indurain "attack" I was referring to earlier, leaving Pantani et al in his wake. His lack of stage victories doesn't tell the real story, ridiculous when people talk about Indurain as someone who won time trials and then "hung on" in the mountains.

Will watch the other two later...

phreak

Saw him at a sportive last year in les Deux Alpes

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 1449e8064f

inkyfingers

My earliest exposure to cycling was Channel 4s cycling coverage and also on World of Sport, which was always on at stupidly early in the morning at the weekend but was well worth getting up for.

Earliest proper memory is of Fignon and Lemond duking it out in '89, Fignon was and has always since been my favourite.

My real cycling addiction began a few years later when one of my friends was one of the first households to get satellite TV and what was in those days quite a big TV. He and his dad used to watch loads of cycling on Eurosport and I would forever be round there watching it with them, not sure whether I was invited or whether I just used to turn up. The funny part is that I didn't actually like him that much, and if it hadn't been for cycling I probably wouldn't have hung around with him. That was the period of Indurain domination but I still sucked it all up, the sheer physical power and the lairy kits which somehow looked even more mad in the days of poorer quality TV.

dave_1

BigMat wrote:

Dave_1 wrote:

Which attack of these 3 is your favourite attack???? VDB, Bernard Hinault or Indurain breaking big front group with high tempo that has no element of surprise attack/ambush..just kills bunch with high tempo


in chronological order

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOX1YPfRxeE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhEKRjhLuds


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8MOQuF4_BI

I think that is the Indurain "attack" I was referring to earlier, leaving Pantani et al in his wake. His lack of stage victories doesn't tell the real story, ridiculous when people talk about Indurain as someone who won time trials and then "hung on" in the mountains.

Will watch the other two later...

its the way 3 or 4 of the riders take turns at trying to sit on Indurain's wheel..the kelme guy swings off shaking his head..the power Indurain had

jerry3571

Pantani attacking Armstrong in the 2000 TDF. The Ventoux stage was a great stage but the day after, a p1ssed off Pantani attacked early on causing Armstrong to panic and blow on the Joux Plane. I think seeing a weakened Armstrong being human was reassuring for me.

I like Pantani's bluff causing panic in the Peleton which can be used in Criteriums situations. Just before the last lap, attack really really hard and see other riders try to get your wheel and then pull off at the Start/Finish. Always a laugh that one!

Moomaloid

BigMat wrote:

Moomaloid wrote:

Riis on Hautacam in '96 too... sickening now, but at the time, oh man....

Sickening at the time :evil:

I was a kid

Moomaloid

[/quote]My all time favourite breakaway - Joel Pelier in 1989 - read the comments to see why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1c_HlcRNio[/quote]

Will never forget this. I remember being nearly in tears... i also remember the hour long channel 4 TDF compilation of that year. Taped it from VHS to Audio Tape and listened to it until the tape wore through, memorising every word. '89 was a really defining moment for me. I'd seen some of the '88 tour and the Kelloggs races, but Lemond-Fignon was a real moment...