frtour1-5, Exercise 1: Was Merckx the greatest?

Model answer (check the details):

Measure 1: Tour wins. Merckx has five, the same as Anquetil, Hinault and Indurain, so the count alone does not separate them. Difficulty: some riders concentrated on the Tour, while Merckx also rode other races; and the number of riders who could have won in a given year changed.

Measure 2: range of victories. Merckx won Grand Tours, one-day classics, the world title and the hour record, so across all types of race he leads. Difficulty: how to weigh a classic against a stage race, and whether versatility counts more than peak results.

Measure 3: margin of dominance. In 1969 he won the Tour by about 17 minutes and took three jerseys. Difficulty: margins depend on the rivals and the course, and cycling has changed in training, equipment and the number of professionals.

Further difficulties: comparing across eras; the effects of drugs, which are unevenly documented; and the use of "greatest", which is a judgement and not a fact.

Care: statistics should be checked against official records.