Let’s see one 4th place, one 3rd place, one 2nd place and a win in the Vuelta, six Le Tour wins and most likely a Giro win. This guy certainly knows how to put together a grand tour team.
Hmm - but without Mr Armstrong - what would he have ? It’s not quite as impressive then.
He’s definitely a good DS - but I’m not sure that he’s anywhere near the greatest.
What about Peter Post ? Guimard ? De Gribaldy ?
That CSC guy is pretty good too. I heard he won some bike race in France a few years ago.
Got to agree with Bjarne Riis at the moment - not really old enought to express a view on DS’ of yesteryear but CSC are an awesome team and Riis’ ability to get the best out of riders like Bobby Julich and Basso who weren’t shoe-ins to be major stars when they joined the team is very impressive.
Bruneel’s definitely excellent but its the same problem you get when trying to place Armstrong in an all time great list - how do you rate a guy who prepares (one rider) for one event and builds a team dedicated to supporting him?
“how do you rate a guy who prepares (one rider) for one event and builds a team dedicated to supporting him?”
I’ve thought about this question for some time…I think you place him appropriately with the rest of the all-time greats…who studied their craft and knew how to win…the sport is ever changing and the level of the day-to-day racing is higher than ever…You can argue about the chicken-egg thing whether Armstrong or single race focus came first…but that is what it takes to win these days…Armstrong sets his annual TdF goal and accomplishes it…usually by a crushing, dominating margin…The means he uses to get there are not that important…the Cannibal himself has said as much…its about winning…whenever and wherever you want to. The greats always find the way…
On the question of Bruyneel…he is definitely a great DS…but he has to prove he is more than a one-horse trick (his Vuelta and now Giro records notwithstanding…much of those can be linked to the strength of a team that still revolves around his main horse)…Both Heras and Salvodelli were proven commodities before they came to Bruyneel…If Bruyneel can bring Popovych, Danielson, and others to the top rung in the next few years…and I certainly think he can…then he can be mentioned with Guimard, et al…
… how do you rate a guy who prepares (one rider) for one event and builds a team dedicated to supporting him?
Is that any different from a coach/GM who takes a sh!t team and rebuilds it around a #1 pick stud QB - forget the fact he choked in 3 NFC Championships and a Super Bowl.
That CSC guy is pretty good too. I heard he won some bike race in France a few years ago.
You mean Mr. 60%?
With a talent like Armstrong palmars come too easy. Sort of like the Bulls with or without MJ.