2007 tour de france

[gila]

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Armstrong, Basso, Indurain, Hinault, Merckx and etc etc don't really qualify as climbers in the classic sense (grimpeurs) since they were very complete all around riders.



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Yea, I understand what your saying. I guess I was more thinking climbing ability. For, although Armstrong was such an overall bike rider, the "pure" climbers of his era couldn't touch him in the climbs, with the possible exception of Pantani.

As for "pure" climbers I have seen, and I have only been watching for about 10 years, Pantani was the best, even though when I was watching him he was on the decline.

Other than that they are few and far between. Heras was probably the next best. Mayo, when he was riding well about 5 years ago was very strong, as was his teammate Zubeldia. They are two of the very few riders that at least tried to attack Armstrong. Simomi was also a great climber, especially in the giro. I would also put Rasmussen in this select group.

Besides some of Armstrong's tours, probably the best overall climbing (although not by a "pure" climber) in a tour I have seen was Basso in the Giro he won. He was so untouchable it was ridiculous. Of course, he was probably doped out of the world too.