RiceAWay

I sort of think that Bob Roll was. In the 1988 Giro de Italia He had pulled Andy Hampsten to the base of the Gavia pass and then dropped off and was through for the day, Then the team car pulled up along side of him and told him that there was a snowstorm at the top of the Gavia and that he had to carry winter clothing up to Andy. Though spending all day pulling Team 7-11 Bob took the clothing and caught Andy at the top of the Gavia under conditions so bad that most of the team leaders had already dropped out. Andy put on the winter clothing and finished, I think, 3rd and locked down the time so that he finished in the Pink. Roll finished not far behind Andy on that stage and finished 61st overall. Roll was a professional's professional and rode for many American based teams. It isn't the winners that are the great riders so much as those who allow them to win. Bob would probably replace Phil Ligget as the Tour announcer when Phil finally retires but like many of the riders from the early 2000's he had to take drugs to maintain employment and he has developed pancreatic cancer. Hopefully he can be successfully treated and keep his voice in our ears for years to come, but that is inevitably a fatal illness.