Marianne Vos

Nervous diners might not wish to be seated to a woman now routinely referred to as the Cannibal – the epithet of the legendary Eddy Merckx. That Marianne Vos shares a nickname with the rider regarded as the best ever speaks volumes about her own status. In 2013, it became increasingly unnecessary to mention Vos’ gender when describing her as the best in the world. She is simply the best, bar none.

Those passing the Yorkshires to Vos may find her appetite satiated by a 2013 campaign that brought her success wherever she raced. Road? World champion, for the third time. Cyclo-cross? World champion, for the sixth time. Cobbles? Winner, women’s Ronde Van Vlaanderen.

Vos, like Cooke, would be another informed party with whom to discuss women’s racing. The Dutchwoman is the figurehead for Rabobank, after the Dutch finance house turned its back on the elite tier of men’s road racing in the wake of the Lance Armstrong scandal. Her won success at the world road race championships was mirrored by compatriot, Ellen Van Dijk, who was crowned world time trial champion. Perhaps only in Great Britain is the success of one country’s female cyclists as great. How can Vos improve in 2014? What is left to win? What new targets has she set? More intriguing topics than socks, we reckon.