The Greatest. Immortal. Unbeatable. Cannibal.
Rarely does an athlete have such an impact on the sport, show such dominance, that he transcends the sport. Sometimes, several times a decade, a man or woman does emerge who wins more than others and not infrequently gets the stamp Flandrien, Berggeit, Kopman. But winning everything, on all terrains, is no longer a given. There was and is only one like that. 525. Therefore our tribute to a cycling GOD, who proved unbeatable and was devastating everywhere.
What a loss
although I am also almost parked on our 2nd half of life, unfortunately I have never been able to experience this phenomenon live.
Nickname
#cannibal is what no doubt brings everyone up when asking about the nickname, referring to the way he ran. Ruthless to the opposition, with an insatiable appetite for victory.
The tambourine of the pedals is probably less known.
A reference to Timur in Christopher Marlowe's play Tamburlaine the Great. He used to build towers with the severed heads of his victims. Apparently 525 wasn't too happy with that nickname.
Most iconic sayings
“I never raced for fame. I rode because I like cycling and winning.”
“Drive as much or as little, as long or as short as you like, but drive.”
"When it hurts, you can make a difference."
“Gifts are given on Christmas and birthdays, not in cycling races.
Cycling is a difficult sport. You must have talent. You have to work hard. You can have talent, but if you don't work hard, you'll never win a game."