Bicycling is a way for people to get outside. It’s an inexpensive activity. As a hobby, it promotes good health and physical fitness. Cycling is one of the most popular sports in the world. For some, cycling is a profession. And for many it’s much more than life. This attitude makes them famous cyclist in the world. There are several championship and events held for cycling. The athletes who have great strength and tenacity wins the competition.
So If you too are a cyclist, and wanted to know more about top 10 well known cyclist of the world, you are at the right place.
#1 Lance Armstrong
The first name in the top ranking of well known cyclist of the world is of the Lance Armstrong. He is an American former professional road racing cyclist. Lance Edward Armstrong is regarded as a sports icon. He won the Tour de France for seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005. At age 16, Armstrong began competing as a triathlete. Later achieved the World Championship in 1993, the Clásica de San Sebastián in 1995, Tour DuPont in 1995 and 1996. In 1996, he was diagnosed with a potentially fatal cancer. After his recovery, he was a member of the US Postal/Discovery team between 1998 and 2005.
#2 Felice Gimondi
Felice Gimondi is an Italian professional racing cyclist. He is the second well known cyclist of all time in the world. After Jacques Anquetil, he was the second cyclist to win all three Grand Tours of road cycling. Grand Tours of road cycling were, Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España. For his fans, he was popularly called “The Phoenix”. Born on 29 September 1942 and passed due to heart attack on 16 August 2019. His 135 career wins also included the world road racing championship in 1973. Gimondi rode in and won all manner of events, including Paris-Roubaix. His strongest suit, however, was the time trial, or race against the clock.
#3 Sean Kelly
John James ‘Sean’ Kelly, known as Sean Kelly, is an Irish former professional road bicycle racer. He was born on 24 May 1956. Known as one of the most successful road cyclists of the 1980s. Throughout his career as a professional cyclist, he won 193 professional races. Kelly won one Grand Tour, and four green jerseys in the Tour de France. He won in the Giro di Lombardia, Milan–San Remo, Paris–Roubaix and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. His other wins are, the Grand Prix des Nations & stage races, the Critérium International. Also, Tour de Suisse, Tour of the Basque Country & Volta a Catalunya. The list is long for Kelly as a cyclist profession.
#4 Miguel Indurain
Another name in the list of top cyclist is the well known rider from Spain, the Miguel Indurain. He is a retired Spanish top class road racing all-rounder cyclist. He was born on 16 July 1964. Miguel Indurain also known for his fans as Big Mig. He consecutively won five Tours de France from 1991 to 1995. He was the youngest rider of 18 years to win the Spanish amateur national road championship. At 20 years of age, Miguel Indurain, the youngest rider to lead the Vuelta a España, and won a stage of the Tour de l’Avenir. The quiet man of cycling made historical cycling records and is well known till today also in the world.
#5 Fausto Coppi
Angelo Fausto Coppi is an Italian cyclist known in the world. He was born on 15 September 1919. At about 41 years of age, he left the world on 2 January 1960. But still today he lives in the memories of many people. He was dominant in the world as an international cyclist after the Second World War. His successes earned him the title Il Campionissimo (“Champion of Champions”). Fausto Coppi was an all-round racing cyclist. He excelled in both climbing and time trialing, and was also a great sprinter. He was the “topper “of his time. Some of his great achievements includes the Giro d’Italia win for five times, the Tour de France twice. And won once the World Championship in 1953.
#6 Jan Ullrich
Jan Ullrich is an all-rounder, top class German professional cyclist. He was born on 2 December 1973. Jan Ullrich was nicknamed as Der Kaiser, Der Jan, Der Junge, The Yoyo. In the cycling event of the 2000 Summer Olympics, he won medals. He also won the 1999 Vuelta a España and the HEW Cyclassics. In the 1997 the winning of Tour de France made people of Germany very glad. He retired in February 2007. He is a great cyclist of all time.
#7 Mario Cipollini
Mario Cipollini is a retired Italian professional road cyclist. People called him Cipo. He is known for his 170 professional wins. Mario Cipollini is one of the top international cyclist. The world wishes him on 22 March, born in year 1967. His nicknames include Il Re Leone (The Lion King) and Super Mario. He is regarded as the best sprinter of his generation. In his cyclist career, he is known for more than 200 wins. This includes a world championship, Milan-San Remo, 12 Tour de France stage wins. And a record 42 stages at the Giro d’Italia.
#8 Bernard Hinault
Getting more than 200 victories in 12 years of career is really a great thing. Bernard Hinault is the top class cyclist with these well known victories. He is a French professional cyclist, recognize worldwide. Hinault is the only cyclist to have won all three Grand Tours, each more than once. He, as a participant of the Tour de France race, was among the top two position every time. Bernard won a total of 28 stages, out of which 13 were individual time trials, in his active cycling career. He won the Giro d’Italia thrice and the Vuelta a España twice.
#9 Jacques Anquetil
Jacques Anquetil is a French road racing cyclist. He is the first cyclist to win the Tour de France five times. Jacques Anquetil has nicknamed “Monsieur Chrono”. He was known for his ability to ride alone in individual time trial stages. In 1952 Summer Olympics, won bronze medal in 100 km time trial. He won the Grand Prix des Nations title nine times. Jacques Anquetil received the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur on 5 October 1966. Receiving Love by nation and people all around the world, Jacques Anquetil is one of the top cyclist.
#10 Eddy Merckx
Edouard Louis Joseph Baron Merckx, famously known as just Eddy Merckx, is a well known cyclist. He is a Former Belgian professional road and track bicycle racer. Titled as the greatest and most successful cyclist of all time by the VeloNews of the United States. He holds many records and achievements. Eddy achieved the title of Tour de France and Giro d’Italia five times each. He won the World Champion thrice and Vuelta a España once in his active cycling career. There are 19 Classics victories also in Eddy records. He is well known for commercial and sporting projects also.
The world cycling day is celebrated on 3 June. It’s an exercise for all age groups, gives confidence and happiness to the rider. Begin a professional cyclist requires consistency and hard work. The top 10 name listed above are well known cyclist of the world. They all had achieved several awards in different championship. Who is your favorite cyclist? Do you love to cycle? What according to you is the best part of cycling? Reply to evoke others for taking cycling as a daily practice.
