Cyclingnews 2004 Reader Poll Results
CyclingNews.com

Rider of the Year

After two years as runner-up, Lance Armstrong finally landed the Cyclingnews reader Poll Rider of the Year category for 2004, and clearly one thing clinched it for the Texan: six Tour de France victories. Other riders won more races this year, but nobody wrote himself into the history books like Armstrong. Not just six Tour victories, but six in a row, and the sixth executed in unexpected style, recovering from the struggle of 2003 to blow all challengers out of the water in 2004.

If a Hollywood scriptwriter had tried to pitch the Armstrong story a decade ago, he’d have been laughed at for crafting something so implausible. Child of single parent dabbles in triathlon , turns out to be quite good, but more so in the bike leg, turns to cycling, wins world championship and begins to build a solid career as a one-day specialist before cancer looks like ending both his career and his life. Survives cancer, mostly by insisting on being given the most powerful anti-cancer drugs available and consequently going through hell, then rebuilds sporting career to win the biggest bike race on the planet an unprecedented six times.

It reads like a fairytale and while it’s easy to be cynical about the achievements of any cyclist, Armstrong’s unquestionable devotion to the cause of cancer research, treatment and survival has touched and inspired millions around the world - even if they’re not quite sure what those yellow wristbands they’re wearing signify. Combine that with his Tour victory this year and it’s no surprise that he has taken out this award.

From a rider at the peak of his career to one at the very beginning. Damiano Cunego was second with 21 percent of the vote after winning the Giro and Lombardia and ending the year as world number one. A spectacular emergence of a new star.

Perennial favourite Paolo Bettini was third. The World Cup and Olympic champion had another great year, but simply found himself overshadowed by the scale of Cunego’s and Armstrong’s achievements in 2004.