Mark Cavendish, the best UK cyclist?

No, you have to judge like with like in context of the times. This started out as thread about Mark Cavendish, one of the brightest hopes in cycling, a young man untainted by the faintest suspicion of drug abuse. Then this guy offers up Simpson in comparison? I mean, come on...

OK, sure, but doping was not against the rules in 1965. Just like the superman position wasn't against the rules when Obree broke the hour record on it.

It was widely known, and accepted, that pro racers took 'medical help' to get through races. And it wasn't against the rules. That's the context in which Simpson took drugs. You are the one that is taking his performances out of context.

Did Simpson beat the best pros of the time? Yes. Did he win some monuments of the sport. Yes. Did he break the rules. No. Did he take drugs? Yes.