When I visited Jean Omelenchuk's daughter last year and picked up all those Championship Medals Jean had won that I showed several folks at cirque I was forced to conclude that She was really one of the greats. Perhaps the greatest American Female racer. She won National Championships year after year as a girl and also as a woman. She was an Olympian at least twice. There were two World Champion Jerseys in with her memorabilia, also. Heck of a Speed Skater, too!
Michigan produced a couple of notable female Cyclists back then (Remember Barb Hintzen?) , perhaps largely in part because of Gene Portuesi's leadership and sponsorship of racing teams in the Detroit area.
Now as to who was the greatest I always have problems.perhaps it is a matter of recorded victories, but I think that is just too narrow a criteria. If Mohamed Ali (currently a Michigan resident, too, I might add) had a bike, I'd probably have to go with him!
Tom Sanders
Lansing, Mi USA