Triple Crown of Cycling
Encyclopedia
The Triple Crown of Cycling is considered the greatest achievement in cycling
. Although more definitions for the term are used, mostly it means winning the Tour de France
, the Giro d'Italia
and the Road World Cycling Championship
in one year, although occasionally a broader definition where one grand tour
can be exchanged for the Vuelta a España
is also seen. So far, the triple crown of cycling (in both the narrow and the broad definition) has been achieved by two cyclists, Eddy Merckx
and Stephen Roche
. It is considered the hardest title to win in professional road bicycle racing
in the same year. The triple crown of cycling is not an official title, and there is no physical award given.
Among those who came close are Italian
Fausto Coppi
, Frenchman
Bernard Hinault
and later Spaniard
Miguel Indurain
who finished second in the World Championships in 1993.
of Belgium. Merckx was the first rider to win the triple crown but he had already come close to winning it in 1972 when he won both the Tour and the Giro, coming fourth in the World road race. After his disappointment, Merckx broke the world hour record several weeks later.
Indurain won the Giro-Tour double in both 1992 and 1993 and in both years he was very active in the World Road Race. In 1992 he finished sixth but in 1993 Indurain was very close to winning the Triple crown when he finished second behind Lance Armstrong
.
before going on to the 1980 Tour de France
. However during the Tour, Hinault suffered from knee injury and despite winning three stages and wearing the maillot jaune, he left the race. Several weeks later he won the World Road Race championships in Salanches.
In the table below are the results in other grand tours of cyclists who won the world championship and a grand tour in one year. DNF (did not finish) indicates that the cyclist started the race, but did not finish; DNE (did not enter) indicates that the cyclist did not enter the race.
, Vuelta a España
and Giro d'Italia
) in a career, although this is sometimes named grand tour triple crown According to this definition, the triple crown of cycling has been won by five cyclists:
In bold the win that achieved the triple crown
and Gastone Nencini
finished in the top ten each grand tour. In 2010, Alberto Contador
's new team manager Bjarne Riis
claimed that Contador could win all three grand tours in the same year, but his main rival Andy Schleck
said it would be impossible.
Eddy Merckx won the three grand tours in 1972-1973: Giro 1972, Tour 1972, Vuelta 1973 and Giro 1973 yet! Bernard Hinault won the three grand tours in 1982-1983: Giro 1982, Tour 1982 and Vuelta 1983. These two champions did not the triple crown in a calendar year.
had won world titles in road race (2006), cyclo-cross (2006) and indoor track points race
(2008), she was said to have won the triple crown of cycling.
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
. Although more definitions for the term are used, mostly it means winning the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
, the Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
and the Road World Cycling Championship
UCI Road World Championships
The UCI Road World Championships are the annual world championships for bicycle road racing organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale...
in one year, although occasionally a broader definition where one grand tour
Grand Tour (cycling)
In road bicycle racing, a Grand Tour refers to one of the three major European professional cycling stage races:* Tour de France – Tour of France , held in July* Giro d'Italia – Tour of Italy , held in May...
can be exchanged for the Vuelta a España
Vuelta a España
The Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages...
is also seen. So far, the triple crown of cycling (in both the narrow and the broad definition) has been achieved by two cyclists, Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx
Edouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all...
and Stephen Roche
Stephen Roche
Stephen Roche is a retired professional road racing cyclist. In a 13-year professional career, he peaked in 1987, becoming only the second cyclist to win the Triple Crown of victories in the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia stage races, plus the World road race championship...
. It is considered the hardest title to win in professional road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...
in the same year. The triple crown of cycling is not an official title, and there is no physical award given.
Triple crowns won
The Triple Crown has only been achieved twice (both times by winning Giro/Tour/Worlds):- BelgianBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
Eddy MerckxEddy MerckxEdouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all...
in 19741974 in sports1974 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Piero Gros, Italy** Women's overall season champion: Annemarie Pröll, Austria-American football:... - IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's Stephen RocheStephen RocheStephen Roche is a retired professional road racing cyclist. In a 13-year professional career, he peaked in 1987, becoming only the second cyclist to win the Triple Crown of victories in the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia stage races, plus the World road race championship...
in 19871987 in sports1987 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Pirmin Zurbriggen, Switzerland** Women's overall season champion: Maria Walliser, Switzerland-American football:...
.
Near wins
Some cyclists have been close to winning the triple crown of cycling, winning two of the three requirements.Among those who came close are Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Fausto Coppi
Fausto Coppi
Angelo Fausto Coppi, , was the dominant international cyclist of the years each side of the Second World War. His successes earned him the title Il Campionissimo, or champion of champions...
, Frenchman
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Bernard Hinault
Bernard Hinault
Bernard Hinault is a former French cyclist known for five victories in the Tour de France. He is one of only five cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours, and the only cyclist to have won each more than once. He won the Tour de France in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985...
and later Spaniard
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
Miguel Indurain
Miguel Indurain
Miguel Ángel Indurain Larraya is a retired Spanish road racing cyclist. He won five consecutive Tour de Frances from 1991 and 1995, the first to do so, and the fourth athlete to win five times. He won the Giro d'Italia twice, becoming one of only seven people in history to achieve the Giro Tour...
who finished second in the World Championships in 1993.
Winning two grand tours in one year
Coppi was the first rider in the history of the sport to win the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in the same year which he did twice in 1949 and 1952. At the World road race championships in 1949 Coppi came third behind Rik Van SteenbergenRik Van Steenbergen
Rik Van Steenbergen was a Belgian racing cyclist, considered to be one of the best among the great number of successful Belgian cyclists.-Early life:...
of Belgium. Merckx was the first rider to win the triple crown but he had already come close to winning it in 1972 when he won both the Tour and the Giro, coming fourth in the World road race. After his disappointment, Merckx broke the world hour record several weeks later.
Indurain won the Giro-Tour double in both 1992 and 1993 and in both years he was very active in the World Road Race. In 1992 he finished sixth but in 1993 Indurain was very close to winning the Triple crown when he finished second behind Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong
Lance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support...
.
| Cyclist | Year | Grand Tours won | Result in World Championship |
|---|---|---|---|
 Fausto CoppiFausto Coppi Angelo Fausto Coppi, , was the dominant international cyclist of the years each side of the Second World War. His successes earned him the title Il Campionissimo, or champion of champions... |
1949 | Tour+Giro | 3rd place |
| Fausto Coppi Fausto Coppi Angelo Fausto Coppi, , was the dominant international cyclist of the years each side of the Second World War. His successes earned him the title Il Campionissimo, or champion of champions... |
1952 | Tour+Giro | ? |
 Jacques AnquetilJacques Anquetil Jacques Anquetil was a French road racing cyclist and the first cyclist to win the Tour de France five times, in 1957 and from 1961 to 1964... |
1963 | Tour+Vuelta | 14th place |
| Jacques Anquetil Jacques Anquetil Jacques Anquetil was a French road racing cyclist and the first cyclist to win the Tour de France five times, in 1957 and from 1961 to 1964... |
1964 | Tour+Giro | 7th place |
 Eddy MerckxEddy Merckx Edouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all... |
1970 | Tour+Giro | 29th place |
| Eddy Merckx Eddy Merckx Edouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all... |
1972 | Tour+Giro | 4th place |
| Eddy Merckx Eddy Merckx Edouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all... |
1973 | Giro+Vuelta | 4th place |
| Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault is a former French cyclist known for five victories in the Tour de France. He is one of only five cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours, and the only cyclist to have won each more than once. He won the Tour de France in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985... |
1978 | Tour+Vuelta | 5th place |
| Giovanni Battaglin Giovanni Battaglin Giovanni Battaglin is an Italian professional road racing cyclist. The highlight of his career was his overall win in the 1981 Giro d'Italia. He also won the 1981 Vuelta a España.-Early years:... |
1981 | Giro+Vuelta | 26th place |
| Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault is a former French cyclist known for five victories in the Tour de France. He is one of only five cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours, and the only cyclist to have won each more than once. He won the Tour de France in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985... |
1982 | Tour+Giro | ? |
| Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault is a former French cyclist known for five victories in the Tour de France. He is one of only five cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours, and the only cyclist to have won each more than once. He won the Tour de France in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985... |
1985 | Tour+Giro | ? |
 Miguel IndurainMiguel Indurain Miguel Ángel Indurain Larraya is a retired Spanish road racing cyclist. He won five consecutive Tour de Frances from 1991 and 1995, the first to do so, and the fourth athlete to win five times. He won the Giro d'Italia twice, becoming one of only seven people in history to achieve the Giro Tour... |
1992 | Tour+Giro | 6th place |
| Miguel Indurain Miguel Indurain Miguel Ángel Indurain Larraya is a retired Spanish road racing cyclist. He won five consecutive Tour de Frances from 1991 and 1995, the first to do so, and the fourth athlete to win five times. He won the Giro d'Italia twice, becoming one of only seven people in history to achieve the Giro Tour... |
1993 | Tour+Giro | 2nd place |
| Marco Pantani Marco Pantani Marco Pantani was an Italian road racing cyclist, widely considered one of the best climbers in professional road bicycle racing... |
1998 | Tour+Giro | – |
| Alberto Contador Alberto Contador Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro... |
2008 | Giro+Vuelta | DNF |
Winning one grand tour and world championship in one year
Hinault was aiming for winning the triple crown during the 1980 season. That year he won the 1980 Giro d'Italia1980 Giro d'Italia
The 1980 Giro d'Italia of cycling, the 63rd edition of the race, was held from 15 May to 8 June 1980. It covered a total of 4,025 km, in 22 stages, completed at an average speed of 35.897 km/h...
before going on to the 1980 Tour de France
1980 Tour de France
The 1980 Tour de France was the 67th Tour de France. The total distance was 3945.5 km over 22 stages, the average speed of the riders was 35.317 km/h....
. However during the Tour, Hinault suffered from knee injury and despite winning three stages and wearing the maillot jaune, he left the race. Several weeks later he won the World Road Race championships in Salanches.
In the table below are the results in other grand tours of cyclists who won the world championship and a grand tour in one year. DNF (did not finish) indicates that the cyclist started the race, but did not finish; DNE (did not enter) indicates that the cyclist did not enter the race.
| Cyclist | Year | Grand tour won | |Result in other grand tours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Alfredo BindaAlfredo Binda Alfredo Binda was an Italian cyclist of the 1920s and 1930s, later trainer of Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali. Binda was the first multiple Giro d'Italia champion, securing five victories between 1925 and 1933 that redefined the way stage races were ridden... |
1927 | Giro 1927 Giro d'Italia The 1927 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 15 May to 6 June 1927, consisting of 15 stages for a total of 3,758 km, ridden at an average speed of 25.85 km/h... |
Tour: DNE | Vuelta: NA |
| Georges Speicher Georges Speicher Georges Speicher was a French cyclist who won the 1933 Tour de France along with three stage wins, and the 1933 World Cycling Championship.- Palmarès :19311932... |
1933 | Tour 1933 Tour de France The 1933 Tour de France was the 27th Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 23, 1933. It consisted of 23 stages over 4,395 km, ridden at an average speed of 29.818 km/h.... |
Giro: DNE | Vuelta: NA |
| Fausto Coppi Fausto Coppi Angelo Fausto Coppi, , was the dominant international cyclist of the years each side of the Second World War. His successes earned him the title Il Campionissimo, or champion of champions... |
1953 | Giro 1953 Giro d'Italia The 1953 Giro d'Italia was the 36th edition of Giro, held from 12 May to 2 June 1953, consisting of 21 stages. It was won by Fausto Coppi .... |
Tour: DNE | Vuelta: NA |
| Louison Bobet Louison Bobet Louis 'Louison' Bobet was a French professional road racing cyclist. He was the first great French rider of the post-war period and the first rider to win the Tour de France in three successive years, from 1953 to 1955... |
1954 | Tour 1954 Tour de France The 1954 Tour de France was the 41st Tour de France, taking place from July 8 to August 1, 1954. It consisted of 23 stages over 4656 km, ridden at an average speed of 33.229 km/h.... |
Giro: DNE | Vuelta: NA |
| Ercole Baldini Ercole Baldini Ercole Baldini is an Italian former professional road racing cyclist. The highlight of his career was his win in the 1958 Giro d'Italia.-Biography:Baldini was born at Villanova di Forlì .... |
1958 | Giro 1958 Giro d'Italia The 1958 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 18 May to 8 June 1958, consisting of 20 stages.This 41st edition was won by the Italian Ercole Baldini.- Final classment :- Maglia rosa holders:... |
Tour: DNE | Vuelta: DNE |
| Eddy Merckx Eddy Merckx Edouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all... |
1971 | Tour 1971 Tour de France The 1971 Tour de France was the 58th Tour de France, taking place June 26 to July 18, 1971. It consisted of 22 stages over , ridden at an average speed of .... |
Giro: DNE | Vuelta: DNE |
| Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault is a former French cyclist known for five victories in the Tour de France. He is one of only five cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours, and the only cyclist to have won each more than once. He won the Tour de France in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985... |
1980 | Giro 1980 Giro d'Italia The 1980 Giro d'Italia of cycling, the 63rd edition of the race, was held from 15 May to 8 June 1980. It covered a total of 4,025 km, in 22 stages, completed at an average speed of 35.897 km/h... |
Tour: DNF | Vuelta: DNE |
 Greg LemondGreg LeMond Gregory James LeMond is a former professional road bicycle racer from the United States and a three-time winner of the Tour de France. He was born in Lakewood, California and raised in Reno, Nevada.... |
1989 | Tour 1989 Tour de France The 1989 Tour de France was the 76th Tour de France, a race of 21 stages and a prologue, over 3285 km in total. In the closest tour in history, Greg LeMond was behind by 50 seconds at the start of the final stage, a time trial into Paris. LeMond rode for an average speed of 54.55 km/h ,... |
Giro: 39th place | Vuelta: DNE |
Winning all three grand tours in a career
The triple crown of cycling is sometimes defined as winning all three grand tours (Tour de FranceTour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
, Vuelta a España
Vuelta a España
The Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages...
and Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
) in a career, although this is sometimes named grand tour triple crown According to this definition, the triple crown of cycling has been won by five cyclists:
In bold the win that achieved the triple crown
| Cyclist | Tour de France Tour de France The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The... wins | Vuelta a España Vuelta a España The Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages... wins | Giro d'Italia Giro d'Italia The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar... wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacques Anquetil Jacques Anquetil Jacques Anquetil was a French road racing cyclist and the first cyclist to win the Tour de France five times, in 1957 and from 1961 to 1964... |
1957 1957 Tour de France The 1957 Tour de France was the 44th Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 20, 1957. It was composed of 22 stages over 4665 km, ridden at an average speed of 34.250 km/h.... , 1961 1961 Tour de France The 1961 Tour de France was the 48th running of the Tour de France. It meandered through France from 25 June to 16 July 1961. It consisted of 21 stages, a total of , which was ridden at an average speed of . Out of the 132 riders who started the tour, 72 managed to complete the tour's tough course... , 1962 1962 Tour de France The 1962 Tour de France was the 49th Tour de France, taking place June 24 to July 15, 1962. It was composed of 22 stages over 4274 km, ridden at an average speed of 37.306 km/h. After more than 30 years, the Tour was again contested by trade teams... , 1963 1963 Tour de France The 1963 Tour de France was the 50th Tour de France, taking place June 23 to July 14, 1963. The total race distance was 21 stages over 4137 km, with riders averaging 37.092 km/h... , 1964 1964 Tour de France The 1964 Tour de France was the 51st Tour de France, taking place June 22 to July 14, 1964. The total race distance was 22 stages over 4504 km, with riders averaging 35.419 km/h. Stages 3, 10 and 22 were all two part stages with one the first half being a regular stage and the second half... |
1963 1963 Vuelta a España The 18th Vuelta a España , a long-distance bicycle stage race and one of the 3 grand tours, was held from May 1 to May 15, 1963. It consisted of 15 stages covering a total of , and was won by Jacques Anquetil of the St. Raphael-Gitane cycling team... |
1960 1960 Giro d'Italia The 1960 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 19 May to 9 June 1960, consisting of 21 stages. This 43rd edition was won by the French Jacques Anquetil.- Final classment:- Maglia rosa holders:... , 1964 1964 Giro d'Italia The 1964 Giro d'Italia of cycling, 47th edition of the Corsa Rosa, was held from 16 May to 7 June 1964. It consisted of 22 stages and was won by Jacques Anquetil.- Final placings:- Maglia rosa holders:... |
| Felice Gimondi Felice Gimondi Felice Gimondi is an Italian former professional racing cyclist.With his 1968 victory at the Vuelta a España, only three years after becoming a professional cyclist, Gimondi, nicknamed "The Phoenix", was the second cyclist to win all three Grand Tours of road cycling: Tour de France , Giro... |
1965 1965 Tour de France The 1965 Tour de France was memorable for a number of reasons. In his first year as a professional, Felice Gimondi, a substitute replacement on the Salvarani team, captures the overall title ahead of Raymond Poulidor, last year's second place finisher... |
1968 1968 Vuelta a España The 23rd Vuelta a España , a long-distance bicycle stage race and one of the 3 grand tours, was held from April 25 to May 12, 1968. It consisted of 18 stages covering a total of 3,014 km, and was won by Felice Gimondi of the Salvarani cycling team... |
1967 1967 Giro d'Italia The 1967 Giro d'Italia of cycling, 50th edition of the Corsa Rosa, was held from 20 May to 11 June 1967. It consisted of 22 stages and was won by Felice Gimondi.- Final classment:- Maglia rosa holders:- Other jerseys:... , 1969 1969 Giro d'Italia The 1969 Giro d'Italia of cycling, 52nd edition of the Corsa Rosa, was held from 16 May to 8 June 1969. It consisted of 23 stages and was won by Felice Gimondi.... , 1976 1976 Giro d'Italia The 1976 Giro d'Italia of cycling, the 59th running of the race, was held from 21 May to 12 June 1976, consisting of 22 stages. It was won by Felice Gimondi.- General classification :- Maglia rosa holders :- Other jerseys:... |
| Eddy Merckx Eddy Merckx Edouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all... |
1969 1969 Tour de France The 1969 Tour de France was the 56th Tour de France, taking place June 28 to July 20, 1969. It consisted of 22 stages over 4110 km , ridden at an average speed of 35.409 km/h... , 1970 1970 Tour de France The 1970 Tour de France was the 57th Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 19, 1970. It consisted of 23 stages over 4366 km, ridden at an average speed of 35.589 km/h.... , 1971 1971 Tour de France The 1971 Tour de France was the 58th Tour de France, taking place June 26 to July 18, 1971. It consisted of 22 stages over , ridden at an average speed of .... , 1972 1972 Tour de France The 1972 Tour de France was the 59th Tour de France, taking place July 1 to July 22, 1972. It consisted of 20 stages over 3846.6 km, ridden at an average speed of 35.371 km/h. The long awaited clash between Eddy Merckx and Luis Ocaña after Ocaña crashed on Col de Menté in the 1971 Tour de... , 1974 1974 Tour de France The 1974 Tour de France was the 61st Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 21, 1974. It consisted of 22 stages over 4098 km, ridden at an average speed of 35.241 km/h... |
1973 1973 Vuelta a España The 28th Vuelta a España , a long-distance bicycle stage race and one of the 3 grand tours, was held from April 26 to May 13, 1973. It consisted of 17 stages covering a total of 3,061 km, and was won by Eddy Merckx of the Molteni cycling team... |
1968 1968 Giro d'Italia The 1968 Giro d'Italia of cycling, 51st edition of the Corsa Rosa, was held from 20 May to 11 June 1968. It consisted of 22 stages and was won by Eddy Merckx.- Final classment:- Maglia rosa holders:- Other jerseys:... , 1970 1970 Giro d'Italia The 1970 Giro d'Italia of cycling, 53rd edition of the Corsa Rosa, was held from 18 May to 7 June 1970. It consisted of 20 stages and was won by Eddy Merckx.-General classification:The top ten of the general classification:- Pink jersey holders:... , 1972 1972 Giro d'Italia The 1972 Giro d'Italia of cycling, the 55th running of the race, was held from 21 May to 11 June 1972, consisting of 20 stages. It was won by Eddy Merckx.-Final classment:-Maglia rosa holders:-Other jerseys:... , 1973 1973 Giro d'Italia The 1973 Giro d'Italia was held from 18 May to 9 June 1973, starting from Verviers in Belgium. It was won by Eddy Merckx.This 56th edition covered 3,801 km at an average speed of 35.553 km/h, for a total of 20 stages.- General classification :... , 1974 1974 Giro d'Italia The 1974 Giro d'Italia was held from 16 May to June 8, 1974, starting from Vatican City. It was won by the Belgian Eddy Merckx.This 57th edition covered 4,001 km at an average speed of 35.364 km/h, for a total of 22 stages.... |
| Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault is a former French cyclist known for five victories in the Tour de France. He is one of only five cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours, and the only cyclist to have won each more than once. He won the Tour de France in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985... |
1978 1978 Tour de France The 1978 Tour de France was the 65th Tour de France, taking place June 29 to July 23, 1978. The total race distance was 22 stages over 3908 km, with riders averaging 36.084 km/h... , 1979 1979 Tour de France The 1979 Tour de France was the 66th Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 22, 1979. The total race distance was 24 stages over 3765 km, with riders averaging 36.513 km/h. It was the only tour to finish at L'Alpe d'Huez twice. It was won by Bernard Hinault, who also won the points... , 1981 1981 Tour de France The 1981 Tour de France was the 68th Tour de France, taking place June 25 to July 19, 1981. The total race distance was 24 stages over 3753 km, with riders averaging 38.96 km/h.... , 1982 1982 Tour de France The 1982 Tour de France was the 69th Tour de France, taking place July 2 to July 25, 1982. The total race distance was 22 stages over 2179 miles , with riders averaging 23.649 mph... , 1985 1985 Tour de France The 1985 Tour de France was the 72nd Tour de France, taking place June 28 to July 21, 1985, over 4109 km in 22 stages and a prologue.Bernard Hinault would attempt to equal the records of Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx who had each won the Tour de France five times. Hinault was unable to... |
1978 1978 Vuelta a España The 33rd Vuelta a España , a long-distance bicycle stage race and one of the 3 grand tours, was held from April 25 to May 14, 1978. It consisted of 19 stages covering a total of 2,995 km, and was won by Bernard Hinault of the Renault-Elf-Gitane cycling team... , 1983 1983 Vuelta a España The 38th Vuelta a España , a long-distance bicycle stage race and one of the 3 grand tours, was held from April 19 to May 8, 1983... |
1980 1980 Giro d'Italia The 1980 Giro d'Italia of cycling, the 63rd edition of the race, was held from 15 May to 8 June 1980. It covered a total of 4,025 km, in 22 stages, completed at an average speed of 35.897 km/h... , 1982 1982 Giro d'Italia The 1982 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 13 May to 6 June 1982, consisting of 22 stages. It was won by Bernard Hinault.- General classification :- Maglia rosa holders :- Other jerseys:*Maglia ciclamino: Francesco Moser... , 1985 1985 Giro d'Italia The 1985 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 16 May to 9 June 1985, consisting of 22 stages for a total of 3,998 km, ridden at an average speed of 37.89 km/h... |
| Alberto Contador Alberto Contador Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro... |
2007 2007 Tour de France The 2007 Tour de France, the 94th running of the race, took place from 7 July to 29 July 2007. The Tour began with a prologue in London, and ended with the traditional finish in Paris. Along the way, the route also passed through Belgium and Spain... , 2009 2009 Tour de France The 2009 Tour de France was the 96th edition of the Tour de France, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It started on 4 July in the principality of Monaco with a individual time trial which included a section of the Circuit de Monaco... , 2010 2010 Tour de France The 2010 Tour de France was the 97th edition of the Tour de France cycle race, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It started on with an 8.9 km prologue time trial in Rotterdam, the first start in the Netherlands since 1996... |
2008 2008 Vuelta a España The 2008 Vuelta a España was the 63rd edition of the Vuelta a España, one of cycling's Grand Tours. The event took place from 30 August to 21 September 2008 over 21 stages covering . The first stage was a team time trial in Granada. The event finished in Madrid 23 days later... |
2008 2008 Giro d'Italia The 2008 Giro d'Italia was the 91st running of the Giro d'Italia, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It began in Palermo on 10 May and ended in Milan on 1 June. Twenty-two teams entered the race, which was won by Spaniard Alberto Contador of the cycling team... , 2011 2011 Giro d'Italia The 2011 Giro d'Italia was the 94th edition of the Giro d'Italia, one of cycling's Grand Tours. The Giro started on 7 May with a team time trial in Turin to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification, when the city served as the first capital of the single state.The route was... |
Winning all three grand tours in one year
The definition for Triple Crown of Cycling can also mean winning all three Grand Tours in the same year. As of 2011, this has never been achieved; only 37 times has a cyclist finished the three grand tours in one year. Only Raphaël GeminianiRaphael Geminiani
Raphaël Géminiani is a French former road bicycle racer. He had six podium finishes in the Grand Tours. He is one of four children of Italian immigrants who moved to Clermont-Ferrand. He worked in a cycle shop and started racing as a boy...
and Gastone Nencini
Gastone Nencini
Gastone Nencini was an Italian road racing cyclist who won the 1960 Tour de France and the 1957 Giro d'Italia....
finished in the top ten each grand tour. In 2010, Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro...
's new team manager Bjarne Riis
Bjarne Riis
Bjarne Lykkegård Riis , nicknamed The Eagle from Herning , is a Danish former professional road bicycle racer who placed first in the 1996 Tour de France, and is now the team owner and manager of Danish UCI ProTour outfit Team Saxo Bank Sungard...
claimed that Contador could win all three grand tours in the same year, but his main rival Andy Schleck
Andy Schleck
Andy Raymond Schleck is a Luxembourgish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . He is the younger brother of Fränk Schleck, who also rides for . Their father Johny Schleck rode the Tour de France and Vuelta a España between 1965 and 1974...
said it would be impossible.
Eddy Merckx won the three grand tours in 1972-1973: Giro 1972, Tour 1972, Vuelta 1973 and Giro 1973 yet! Bernard Hinault won the three grand tours in 1982-1983: Giro 1982, Tour 1982 and Vuelta 1983. These two champions did not the triple crown in a calendar year.
Winning world titles in three disciplines
After Marianne VosMarianne Vos
Marianne Vos, is a Dutch cyclo-cross, road bicycle racer and track racer. After winning a junior European and world championship in road racing, she continued in senior cycling by becoming world champion in cyclo-cross and road racing at the age of 19. Vos added track racing world championships...
had won world titles in road race (2006), cyclo-cross (2006) and indoor track points race
2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships - Women's Points Race
The Women's Points Race was one of the 8 women's events at the 2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, held in Manchester, United Kingdom....
(2008), she was said to have won the triple crown of cycling.