Toughest Cyclists Ever Volume 2

[@gcn]

Let us know who you think the toughest cyclist of all time is in the comments down below 👇

[@bobbyhempel1513]

Global Cycling Network Martyn Ashton is the toughest cyclist

[@cyclingchantal]

Global Cycling Network Mike Hall!!!!!!!!!

[@davidturpin9135]

I would like to nominate my uncle, Bryan Allen. An American amateur cyclist in the 70's, his greatest achievement was piloting the pedal-powered Gossamer Albatross across the English Channel in 1979. Getting back on a bike after a fall is tough, but not quite, "if I stop pedaling I will die" tough.

[@fioreruffino1417]

Look the story of Fiorenzo Magno at the Giro 1956

[@xGshikamaru]

Adam Hansen nearly broke his impressive streak of grand tour finish in 2015 when he was involved in a crash. He was almost a mummy on a bicycle in the aftermath of that crash. It was hard every day after that, but eventually he finished, then finished the vuelta, and his streak kept going. A real hero.

[@U20101954]

matt stephens, for not giving up to clip in for >40 years 😀

[@ricksnyder6318]

Still no Fiorenzo Magni? In the 1956 Giro d’Italia, stage 12, Fiorenzo Magni famously broke his left clavicle and still managed to finish second overall. At the hospital he refused a plaster cast and refused to abandon the Giro in the year of his announced retirement. Magni continued the race with his shoulder wrapped in an elastic bandage. To compensate for his inability to apply force with his left arm, he raced while holding a piece of rubber inner tube attached to his handlebar between his teeth for extra leverage. Since his injury prevented him from effectively braking and steering with his left hand, Magni crashed again after hitting a ditch by the road during a descent on stage 16. He fell on his already broken clavicle, breaking his humerus, after which he passed out from the pain. They put him in an ambulance, but when Magni regained his senses and realized that he was being taken to the hospital he screamed and told the driver to stop. Magni took his bike and was able to finish the stage in the peloton, which had waited for him. Of the evening that followed Magni said "I had no idea of how serious my condition was, I just knew that I was in a lot of pain but I didn't want to have X-rays that evening".[10] Just four stages later, the infamous 20th stage of Giro '56 dawned where Luxembourg's Charly Gaul would execute his legendary mountain stage victory in Trento, haunted by snow and ice over the Costalunga, Rolle, Brocon and Bondone climbs. That day 60 people abandoned the race, and Gaul went from 16 minutes behind to winning the 1956 Giro; Magni, despite his injuries, placed second, 3 minutes and 27 seconds behind Gaul. Source: Wikipedia

[@nicholasgibbins9223]

100% agree. I can't even imagine it...

[@peterslegers6121]

You might have inspired them to put him in part 3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYizgWenjr2pgZo

[@Krakenie]

Beryl Burton’s always been a total hero to me. What an amazing person.

[@sicbay]

Thank you for adding those two amazing women! I had NO idea!

[@franciscoaraujo7458]

Annemiek van Vleuten deserves to be in Volume 3! Shes had to overcome a lot physically and mentally, especially in the last few years: - 2014: TTT crash on the last corner at Worlds in Ponferrada - 2015: Hit by car while training in Italy - 2016: Crash while in the lead in the Olympic Road Race And every time she comes back stronger and faster!

[@MilesCobbett]

Thank you for putting Greg LeMond first in this video. In 77-79 I watched him demolish the best Senior Category 1 riders (ages 18-34) USA had in Senior One Men's Races in and around the USA hot bed of bike racing, Santa Cruz Ca in 1977-79 , when Greg was 15 and 16 (racing with special USA cycling board permission and forced to race using larger rear wheel and smaller front sprockets -to supposedly not injure his knees as "Junior racer")). In the 80 mile Pacific Grove Criterium he won by 2 1/2 laps over second place n the pack of Cat 1 chasers that included Pro Jacque Boyer as well as several USA champs in their stars n stripe jerseys. In the 128 mile Road Race at Leguna Seca Ca (car race course), Race LeMond went off the front almost immediately and just toyed with the ~128 chasers and never allowed them to get closer to him than about a 1/4 mile. I maintain to this day that LeMond could have won Tour de France races from his first days as a Pro, only bad team politics held him back, Miles Cobbett, Author www.MilesCobbett.com

[@adamfarrelly6505]

Dan martin for riding the tour with a broken back in 2017 tour

[@golddiggaaah]

Adam Farrelly Two broken vertebrae* I learned that after the tour I was fucking amazed

[@denbatt]

YES

[@philipsq6848]

Andrei Tchmil deserves a mention, he was shown without comment in this video behind Johann Museuuw. His ride in the 1994 Paris Roubaix has all the evidence of why he deserves one.

[@stijnhoogwout8477]

Say what you want about Tyler Hamilton, but finishing the Tour de France with a broken collarbone is pretty hardcore to me!

[@davidholowach5684]

Not broken but fractured, big difference still painful but no way can you ride after a true break

[@stijnhoogwout8477]

A fracture in medical terminology is the same as a break (i.e. any discontinuity in the bone is considered a fracture), but I get what you mean, if it would be snapped all the way through it would be very difficult to ride with indeed.

[@mathewashwell1385]

Anna Meares, 11 world titles but in 2008 broke her neck and dislocated a shoulder. 10 days later back on the bike. Hard as diamonds and fast too!

[@robbchastain3036]

I like this feature, Matt, nice work and definitely, Greg deserves to be on this list as he not only succeeded as a pro but did so as an outsider from a mostly ball-sports-crazy country. And Alponsina, a remarkable accomplishment in a big decade for women, very cool and there should be a race or something special named after her. Crazy that most of us have never heard of her and using a broom handle for bars sounds like a race hack.

[@alz_andre7642]

Robb Chastain Yup, America is definitely under the impression that ball sports are the only sports. Crazy how many people try to tell me that cycling isn’t a sport yet they think running is. It’s pretty pathetic how ignorant people are sometimes

[@robbchastain3036]

It really is, Andre Mas, and it is pathetic that they bully us as weaklings and worse for riding our bikes without their having the slightest understanding of what it takes to ride at speed, let alone be able to do it themselves. Like awhile back, two football-jersey-wearing guys in a Jeep ease up beside me as I was happily crawling and fighting my way up what I call a 'mini alp' just before dusk on a Saturday evening. And at first, I thought they were cheering for me, that they could relate to the effort I was making to get to the top. But no, they were just bullies and, curiously, so were the two young women in the back--and they were like cranked-up cheerleaders and suddenly I was the opposing team. It is crazy how mad we make some people just because we are riding our bikes and not playing some ball sport.

[@anthonygarvey1]

I would love to know about the two proper hard women cyclists. It sounds like they were trail blazers. Well done for bringing them to our attention and let's follow it up by giving them their own full five minute piece!!

[@irishelk3]

Ireland’s Pat Norton. I’m his son. My dad was one of the best, he’d get up at the crack of dawn and cycle from Dublin to Leitrim and back in one day. Was on the same team as Sean Kelly and even beat him, he knew and worked for Shay Elliot and named me after his brother Paul, his best friend that died. He was on the olympic team with Sean Kelly but never went because he didn’t want to turn pro. He was in the newspapers when he was a teen, being recognised for his talent. My dad was one of the toughest men on the road in the 60s and 70s.

[@hannesdhondt3096]

Lucien Buysse rode through a snowstorm in the Pyrenees in the 1926 TdF, the longest in history, finished half an hour before second place. That stage the Tour leaders took their cars back into the mountains to go and find riders hiding from the atrocious conditions in mountain shelters.

[@reepsaag]

Toughest cyclists ever? All of that kids on buffalo bikes!!!! Kudos to them!!!

[@newttella1043]

reepsaag Just imagine if they had the time, training, and resources to ride and race...

[@Ystadcop]

Dan, you are so much missed after taking that job in a bike shop. Aren't we allowed to mention Lance somebody? Survived appalling cancer and won 7 Tours de France> Sorry, can't remember his second name.

[@samw156]

How about Laurens ten Dam? After a crash in the 2013 TdF, he rode on, with his face wrapped in bandages. When asked why he didn't quit the race, he said "my legs were still good"

[@ragsnasramoninus2443]

johnny hoogerland?

[@MartinMcCannTdF1987]

Honoré Barthélémy- a bad crash in 1920 TdF led to damaged back, broken shoulder and dislocated wrist and got some flint in his eye. Turned his handlebars upside down and continued half blind, finishing 8th in the final GC. He lost his eye but continued his career-if it got dusty he would take out his glass eye and replace it with cotton wool.

[@DavidJKM]

Perhaps a place of honour to Alphonse Steinès, the journalist who convinced Tour de France founder and director Henri Desgrange to include Pyrenneen mountain passes in the race: his reconnaissance of the route involved his car being blocked by snow, continuing on foot, getting hopelessly lost at night, being rescued by locals and then sending a telegram to Desgrange reading "Crossed Tourmalet. Very Good Road. Perfectly Passable." www.thebikecomesfirst.com/crossed-tourmalet-very-good-road-perfectly-passable-signed-steines/

[@Alain2Longesalle]

Raymond Poulidor ! His history with Tour de France is incredible. He is a hero in France.

[@23yidarmy]

No Tyler Hamilton. Shambles

[@lakaboMNR]

Johnny Hoogerland and the barbed wire fence deserves a mention.

[@jamescase2611]

alberto Contador? he recovered from a brain stroke... climbed a mountain on a broken leg (TDF s10 2014) and has had a fair share ok skin lost (TDF s1 2016)

[@muttleygutierrez108]

Well, at least Alberto and even Strada could actually finish the Giro, unlike 'moto-grabbing' Froome...

[@calummcclintock549]

Alex Zanardi was a two-time world championship Indycar driver when he lost both legs in a crash in 2001. He then started paracycling, and at the London Olympics took two gold medals.

[@boethiusm8438]

Not to brush aside the list but I think every pro grand tour cyclist should make the list.

[@giovannispinotti]

ALFONSINA FTW, great pick!

[@cesarcdpf]

Joaquim Agostinho is one of the Toughest and Strongest Cyclists that ever lived. Crashed in a stage in 1984 in Portugal and managed to finish with a brain injury. Was clinically dead 48h after the crash but his heart only stopped 10 days later. Learned to ride a bicycle only at 23, started cycling career at 25. Crashed a lot. Finished 3rd twice at the Tour, won several stages including Alpe d'Huez. He rode 13 times the tour and finished all but one (did 8 top10 in GC). Finished 2nd at the Vuelta, won several stages (Always top 10 in GC). Won many Portuguese nacional titles and Voltas a Portugal.

[@peterslegers6121]

Definately one of the great!

[@abcxyz6880]

Where is Taylor Hamilton

[@florianbartschiger1616]

oh yeah, that time when he road after injecting a uncooled blodbag...

[@madmonkeycycling9098]

you're wrong, he was testing positive due to the blood of his unborn twin brother! :'D

[@edrcozonoking]

doping aside he was tough!

[@frogeggsyeah5138]

Painkillers aside, he may have been tough

[@thecyclingguitarist2019]

Rode with a broken collarbone. Still, Dan Martin rode with a broken back. Have to give props to both, dope or not.

[@lspowered734]

Was waiting for you to say "we have taken into consideration all your suggestions and found them to be ridiculous" hahaha of course Matt should be at the top!'

[@danielellis2874]

Matt! I remember seeing you at the Rouleur Classic in london a few years back when they showed the documentary of the milk race, and you interviewed one of the subjects of that documantary, those guys were tough!

[@stuartdryer1352]

I like this series a lot.

[@superstrada6847]

Sorry if I missed it but are any sprinters tough enough to make the list? Thanks, it's hard to imagine the cycling scene prior to GCN!

[@blockhax6146]

Geraint is good but he doesn’t have a patch on any of the other riders in this video

[@haxhxm841]

i think matt stephens should have made cos he tries to clip in without getting losing hope despite his inability to clip in

[@BeanieMAN4Life]

Bonus suggestion for the next list: Matt Stevens. He’s fallen off his bike more times than we can count, and is still riding strong. Good on you, Matt!

[@Paul_Paulson]

Perhaps one day the giro 2000 lantern rouge will get the recognition he deserves?

[@nathanjones2245]

Aha I love this video! Volume 2 is even betterrrr! 😳😊

[@jeffbrunton3291]

Good list. I was thinking of G and Beryl. Annoys me when she is missing from any list of top British cyclists, as she was better than most men

[@ashtonbaker55]

I'd nominate Lael Wilcox as a modern day hardwoman.

[@newttella1043]

She doesn't even wear chamois .

[@mattilassen1892]

What about nens voigt he should be on both of the videos

[@kalidwapur]

You put some very impressive women in this one nice. What about Jeannie Longo for her crazy long and successful career?

[@sirspankalottt]

What about Johnny Hoogerland (crash in the barbwire) and Wout Poels (crashed at the Metz Massacre in the 2012 tour, severe internal injuries)?

[@gu11fisk]

What about Johnny Hoogerland? 2011 TdF..

[@cyclingchantal]

gu11fisk agree

[@pobg]

Eh you forgot me. I went on a Christmas shesh last Saturday and had many many mineral waters but got up and did my group cycle the next morning and only puked twice. #wattagebazooka

[@mungolikescandy3270]

my mum, she rode a raleigh twenty (thats how many stone it weighed) with knackered gears and a weeks shopping on the back when I was a kid...thighs like robert fostermann.

[@melanogaster2969]

Jens Voigt?

[@athousandtinycobras4349]

I like how you've included some female cyclists. Tough as nails. Chapeau.

[@Robin-Smith]

No Armstrong. How curious. And Geraint Thomas???

[@spencerlemon2679]

still no Mark Beaumont???

[@MGVELO]

Spencer Lemon He doesn't come across to the people well unfortunately. He appears to very very egotistical. An absolute brute of a man on the bike ofcourse.

[@gerhards1313]

Philippe Gilbert

[@kurtusa8012]

How he made a jump over in the hillside and got back on his bike. Other riders would've been dead , hospitalized or paralyzed.

[@johnstoneweetabix]

greg lemond the first ever american to win the TdF? the *only* american to win it, surely?

[@Souped-up-Saiyan]

Lance Armstrong after his cancer recovery Marco Pantani also did well after recovering from that horrible accident

[@pobg]

Lance.......

[@pobg]

Roache and kelly

[@madmonkeycycling9098]

Lemond is considered to be the last clean winner..

[@malcolmmay6088]

Cadel

[@AfroPoli]

Not to include Lance Armstrong is ridiculous.

[@scottnglsh]

Me. I crashed through a support cars rear windshield when it slammed on the brakes in front of me. Covered in blood, they stuffed gauze in my lacerations, put my bike back together and I rode another 60km by myself.

[@stephenlegg262]

I should be on the list. I am 63 and just bought a road bike.😀

[@angelosantaniello4113]

You got my vote

[@vgabrie]

Absolutely..

[@MGVELO]

Don't really see where Geraint Thomas comes into it? He's a talented tough lad no doubt but there's far more riders out there or rather that have been out there worthy of a spot.

[@timothydean9407]

This...no way Thomas belongs on this list...no way.

[@grantmgardner]

Dan Martin - finished 2017 Tour with broken back

[@rideeverymountainrideevery885]

thanks Mat - but any chance of using proper distance measurements - like kilometers?

[@ChAdmiralAckbar]

JASON LANE - Dude got ran over, had tread impression on his back and finished the RAAM...... A recce that is longer than the TDF and finishes in half the time

[@gmjohnson77]

Need more bikepacking racers, after all they ride furthest distance without support! Mike Hall and Kristof Allegaert were/are some of the best!

[@rejean1337]

Tyler Hamilton, TDF contention with a broken collar bone, the only serious threat to Armstrong imo. Read his book, he was a beast.

[@johndrobnack7291]

Johnny Hoogerland?

[@alexsington]

These guys act like Lance never existed. Sad

[@saulpinto4720]

Lance Armstrong

[@mejartomlinson7065]

Matt Stephens is the toughest cyclist in the world. Watch video compilation of his crashes and you will understand why.

[@ZeroSeriesMMX]

Matt Stephens: "Sorry, kids." - Matt's Crashes video, Global Cyclinf Network.

[@digitalvelvet]

Matt do you remember seeing Beryl on Blue Peter in the 70`s. Don`t worry mate,I do.

[@karelv750]

Major Taylor.

[@marissaaxell]

Major Taylor PLEASE!!

[@taufikabidin412]

What?we still have telegraph poles?

[@martywild8200]

Glad you see Geraint in there, those not feeling his selection, I presume have ridden a GT with a leg missing or something.

[@Mark10ng]

Please may you straighten up the pictures behind you? it was all I could focus on all video haha!

[@Craigwdlr]

Geraint Thomas is the champion of crashing out of GT's.... when last did he finish one!

[@KenGoddard1723]

2016 TdF 15th. Thomas was not to blame for the Giro and Tour crashes of 2017.

[@hpevans9041]

Good choice Beryl Burton, best British cyclist of all time

[@edrcozonoking]

No Tyler Hamilton again??

[@brandywell44]

Astonishing toughness

[@philadams9254]

Geraint won the Junior Paris-Roubaix!

[@davidholowach5684]

I know Matt isnt a spring chicken but a "telegraph pole"? Didn't we stop using those a 130 years ago

[@novicar7043]

Still no Johnny Hoogreland and his accident with barb wire.

[@mrcross5716]

Turn the auto focus off!

[@jackrigal9085]

Still no mark Beaumont?

[@russellmoore1533]

And Thomas just won the 2018 TdF.

[@ironman1518.]

Eugene Christophe, MY personal baddest of the toughest!

[@alyoung6088]

How about Andy Hampsten? 1988, Gavia Pass, "The Day the Hard Men Cried"

[@peterslegers6121]

Hampsten had the privilage of special gloves to keep his hands warm, and a team car with a new kit on top of the Gavia. Johan van de Velde was the first to pass the top, in summer gear, in his purple jersey... he was incapacitated by the cold. Erik Breukink followed with near to frozen hands, he was the fastest in the descend, overtaking Johan and later on Andy, and he won the stage. Erik has deserved that nomination more than Andy!

[@brianschiff35]

Iron men and women on iron bikes. I won’t complain when the weather is a little bad to go out and ride.

[@gibblesandzhits2495]

That auto focus is dizzying.

[@joelioel]

Gustaf Håkansson, aka Stålfarfar ("Super Grandpa")

[@liambarber9036]

Dan Lloyd. He constantly suffers for GCN. Shaving his hair, failing to un-clip and miss the bean bag. He even has gotten a GCN tattoo! He his a truly tough domestic.

[@hellhound7371]

I love it very much

[@alexevans1655]

where is Martyn Ashton?

[@BioStuff415]

Hinault was in first volume I hope...

[@fatjohn1408]

Later in 2000 Museeuw crashed with a motorcycle and went into coma. Nonetheless he made another comeback to win a final Roubaix in 2002 almost taking the world cup as well.

[@alexlintern9779]

G Thomas as hard as a coffin nail but very nice with it. I guess all pro cyclists must be tougher than most weekend warriors!

[@ErrantHippo]

no mountain bikers or downhill competitors?

[@gcn]

Head over to @globalmountainbikenetwork for those guys!

[@Lancew4]

Gee for President!

[@AS-kc3qf]

where‘s Jens？

[@bubby1176]

You definitely should have Mitch Docker in here. His crash in Roubaix was insane

[@stuartdryer1352]

Lizzy the Buffalo bike girl from Zambia.

[@joostdemoor138]

Laurens ten Dam of course!

[@AmazinFireMan]

Coppi?