What if the greatest champions in the history of cycling met around a fireplace, a good bottle of wine in hand, to talk about modern cycling? We imagined this improbable scene where Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil, Miguel Indurain and Fausto Coppi would discuss the performances of today's stars: Remco Evenepoel, Tadej Pogacar, Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and others. Warning, it's mind-blowing!
By Jeff Tatard – Photos: X – Grok / istockphoto.com
A chalet lost in the Alps, snow covers the peaks. Inside, the atmosphere is warm. The fire crackles in the hearth, lighting up the faces of five cycling legends seated around a glass of Barolo, brought by Fausto Coppi. Anecdotes fly, egos clash, but tonight, modern cycling is at the heart of the debates.
Fausto Coppi (raising his glass elegantly):
« Gentlemen, I must say that this Italian wine is as subtle and intense as a time trial in the Dolomites. But let's talk about these young champions. This Remco Evenepoel, he attacks like a madman! Do you think he could impose himself in our time? »
Eddy Merckx (with a satisfied smile):
« Remco, yes… He has talent. A lot of talent. But he reminds me of someone (he points to himself with a wink). Me. Less complete, of course. And without my panache."
Bernard Hinault (bursting out laughing):
« You think everyone is like you, Eddy! But Remco, he's good, I grant you that. However, he lacks a little... toughness. A good fall or two, that would help him understand what a real champion is! I got up with an injured knee to finish the job. »
Jacques Anquetil (sighing, glass in hand):
« Same old story, Bernard. Let's talk about Pogacar instead. This kid is an artist. He attacks metagne, downhill, he sprints… but he runs too much. Eventually, he will get exhausted. I did the bare minimum. Elegance is winning with the least possible effort"
Miguel Indurain (calm and composed):
« Pogacar, he's incredible. But have you seen how he climbs? It's like he has a turbo in his legs. Just looking at him makes me want to get out my bike... and then I remember that I love calm too much."
Fausto Coppi (pouring more wine):
« But the real gladiators are Van Aert and Van der Poel. Those two, they fight as if they were playing for their lives in every race. But tell me, Jacques, doesn't it make you funny to see the grandson of your enemy Poulidor winning everything he wants? »
Jacques Anquetil (raising his head, stung):
« Van der Poel, yes… a hell of a runner. But when I see his name, I always think of his grandfather, Poulidor. At least I knew he would never finish in front of me. »
Eddy Merckx (teaser):
« Are you sure he didn't beat you sometimes, Jacques? Or was it the cognac playing tricks on you?
Anquetil (feigning indifference):
« I'll let you believe what you want, Eddy. But Van der Poel has something more. When he attacks, it's like a blade piercing the race. His Milan-San Remo last year... magnificent. »
Hinault (with a grin):
« Yes, but Van Aert is a real warrior. This guy can do everything: cobblestones, sprints, time trials. If I had raced against him, I would have put him to the test in a good bare-knuckle fight."
Miguel Indurain (shaking his head):
« Always you and your fights, Bernard. But in the end, we can agree on one thing: they never fail to put on a show, these young people. Even Alaphilippe, with his kamikaze attacks, he is there to thrill the crowds. And what if ultimately these riders of this generation were more exciting and more spectacular than us in our time? »
Fausto Coppi (pensive):
« Maybe, but they all run with their heads buried in numbers. Power meters, watts, calibrated workouts. Where did the instinct go? We were looking at the montagno, and we knew if we could tame it. »
Hinault (laughing):
« You mostly knew if you could tame the bottle of wine before attacking. »
(Everyone bursts out laughing, except Coppi, who raises his glass with a mischievous smile.)
The moral of the evening
Eddy Merckx (raising his glass in a toast):
« To these young people, who make us dream, even if they will never be at our level. And to us, the giants. Because deep down, it's quite simple: we are the references. They run to one day be compared to us. »
Anquetil (adding maliciously) :
« But they will never admit that. »
All together:
« To the legends, and to those who try to catch up with them! »
The fire continues to crackle, the bottle of Barolo empties, and the laughter of the champions echoes through the chalet. An evening among giants, where humility has not been invited… but passion remains intact.
Great idea, I skimmed the article but I'm going to read it quietly.
This Jeff is a great talent.
Thanks for him 😉