Gilbert Crowned Best Human Ever

by Chris Fontecchio on Nov 19, 2009 12:49 PM EST in News

Or something like that. Actually, today's honorific comes from the National Trophy of Sport, something akin to best Belgian sportsman of the year. It's a very prestigious award, and isn't given to very many cyclists. Believe it or not, Eddy Merckx only shared the award once (not sure but it looks like they don't have any repeat winners).The Emperor of Herentals is a former winner, as is Tom Boonen for his fabulous 2005 season, Johan Museeuw in 1996 and Axel Merckx in 2004, presumably more of a lifetime achievement recognition. In a country where it's the national sport, cyclists have won ten times since 1928. A few other notable winners: nobody last year; Ingrid Berghmans in 1982 (for her judo, of course), and the Rode Duivels in 1980 for finishing second at the Euro.

In any event, Gilbert is not merely clearing space for another trophy; he is being elevated by the Belgian media to heroic status formerly (recently) reserved for Boonen and Museeuw. Not too shabby.

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Belgium seem to have many of these trophies.

There’s also the Sports Personality of the Year and the Sportsman of the Year, and this is something different it would seem…..so confusing! Chapeau to him anyhow!

"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.

by Albertina on Nov 19, 2009 12:58 PM EST reply actions

I guess Belgium makes up

for all the other countries that doesn’t do any?

by cyclingdiva on Nov 19, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

That reminds me...

I’m hanging out for the Aussie Cyclist of the Year to be announced. If it’s Brendan Bailey, you’ll all hear my cheer – no matter what continent you’re on ;-)

by Lou... on Nov 19, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

Nice title.

Hmmmm, it has a grain of sarcastic truth to it but not a literal truth, used to spark interest in the article. Very nice. Someone else I know does that. Who was that ?

I waited a half an hour to give my two toddlers breakfast until I had my Eneco tour coverage sorted, then made sure I got them fed before the sprint. --- Bought With Blood. ..... Hmmm, my kinda people. If only they could explain to my wife why my bike belongs in the house and not the garage. --- Thevaro

by thevaro on Nov 19, 2009 10:07 PM EST reply actions

This one is clearly a joke

by tedvdw on Nov 20, 2009 6:34 AM EST up reply actions

thevaro is allowed to send himself up though isn't he?

unless i’m mistaken the joke refers to this: http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/11/11/1126928/greg-lemond-the-greatest-of-all

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 20, 2009 6:40 AM EST up reply actions

Yes I knew it referred to that. That one was deliberately misleading (and therefore provocative), in my view.

by tedvdw on Nov 20, 2009 6:51 AM EST up reply actions

Hope you're wrong...

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 20, 2009 7:00 AM EST up reply actions

Really ....

the cycling IQ on this site is pretty high, I’m pretty sure most readers (99.99%) knew I wasn’t actually suggesting LeMond over Merckx in that other post and if they did and shot me down then so much more good discussion to have a fun joust about.

So it was just for fun ! Just like this title and my little comment above.

( I think snarky-ness is OK around here, I think ? )

( Provocative is a good word too and I think that is OK too, I think ? )

by thevaro on Nov 21, 2009 1:19 AM EST up reply actions

Thank goodness! I thought my humour radar was completely on the blink ;)

That said, in spite of sometimes resorting to snark, I don’t much lie it. However, i didn’t view what you said as snark, so perhaps I’m just out of kilter with everyone…

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 21, 2009 1:23 AM EST up reply actions

Its probably me, I'm frequently off kilter :)

by thevaro on Nov 21, 2009 1:27 AM EST up reply actions

Well that possibly makes two of us...

but marching to the beat of your own drum is cool ;) … especially when no serious snark is intended.

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 21, 2009 1:31 AM EST up reply actions

Actually, I'm not completely sure what "snark" means.

I was inferring from the other posts that it was a combination between sarcasm and smart-alec-i-ness.

Its always in good fun though, unless someone attacks our favorite rider. Then those are fight’n words !

by thevaro on Nov 21, 2009 1:40 AM EST up reply actions

"snarky-ness OK?"

are you kidding, I’m pretty sure it’s required here..we heart ze snark.

Look, it's a bird...no, it's a plane....oh never mind it's just fucking balloon boy

by Phil H. on Nov 21, 2009 1:58 AM EST up reply actions

To a point... there's snark and snark

Differing opinions/ polemics are fun, other things not so much (IMHO). And yes Phil, your snark usually makes me laugh, so for me the tone must be good, but sometimes we (not all), don’t succeed in maintaining the balancing act. Anyway, it’s not worth getting snarky over.

"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'

by Seahorse on Nov 21, 2009 2:07 AM EST up reply actions