Alexi Grewel in training for comeback at 50! Inspiring or Unwelcome?

[Kennf1]

Yes, that is what I have heard. He was homeless for many years

Alexi has always been a head case. He was trying to be a hippie in the '90s. If he was in the middle of a race and felt like he wasn't going to be able to go for the win, he would just sit up and gap half the field. I was definitely rooting for Bauer in that Olympic sprint.

 

[Berzin]

There is nothing to admire about this idiot. And I don't care what type of "engine" he has.

At his age, he should put more effort into repairing his family life, trying to be a better father, and getting those teeth fixed. He looks disgusting.

 

[redtreviso]

There is nothing to admire about this idiot. And I don't care what type of "engine" he has.

At his age, he should put more effort into repairing his family life, trying to be a better father, and getting those teeth fixed. He looks disgusting.

Well maybe a dentist will sponsor his effort and fix his teeth.. Why do you need to admire? There are plenty of bicycle racers and former bicycle racers not worthy of admiration.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

This should be entertaining if nothing else, to see how far and fast he can get. My guess is no team will sign him other than for a short publicity stunt, and his speed won't ever get close to enough to ride Quiznos.

Complicated person, to say the least. Props for confessing to doping, and props for honestly helping homeless people in his hometown. But a headcase to be sure. Admitted withholding energy bars from Phinney in the Olympic race, even though he wasn't hungry and didn't need it, still told Davis he was out of them. Some patriotic teammate that is. I can't really think of another teammate his entire career that admitted to liking having the guy on their team.

 

[Race Radio]

At least one guy is happy to see him back

One of my highlights was seeing Alexi Grewal out there. #legend
about 2 hours ago via ÜberTwitter


lancearmstrong
Lance Armstrong

 

[Guttercat]

At least one guy is happy to see him back

I just...don't know how to respond to this.

 

[MacRoadie]

How long before Gaggioli offers him a contract???

Wasn't Alexi working as a carpenter? If so, he can bring his own 2x4...

 

[Choocher]

This should be entertaining if nothing else, to see how far and fast he can get. My guess is no team will sign him other than for a short publicity stunt, and his speed won't ever get close to enough to ride Quiznos.

Complicated person, to say the least. Props for confessing to doping, and props for honestly helping homeless people in his hometown. But a headcase to be sure. Admitted withholding energy bars from Phinney in the Olympic race, even though he wasn't hungry and didn't need it, still told Davis he was out of them. Some patriotic teammate that is. I can't really think of another teammate his entire career that admitted to liking having the guy on their team.

Not that it matters much but Paul Kimmage remarked that he liked having him on RMO back in the day because he wasn't afraid to speak his mind. Funny that Armstrong and Kimmage agree on someone like Grewal, don't you think?

Beyond all of the personality and head case stuff, which I admit is definitely real and substantial, I'll always remember A.G. fondly. Watching the Olympic road race in 1984 is what got me into the sport when I was a kid. Before I knew about Lemond, I knew about Grewal.

 

[Digger]

Not that it matters much but Paul Kimmage remarked that he liked having him on RMO back in the day because he wasn't afraid to speak his mind. Funny that Armstrong and Kimmage agree on someone like Grewal, don't you think?

Beyond all of the personality and head case stuff, which I admit is definitely real and substantial, I'll always remember A.G. fondly. Watching the Olympic road race in 1984 is what got me into the sport when I was a kid. Before I knew about Lemond, I knew about Grewal.

PK liked him mainly because he gave the two fingers to the RMO bosses and they indulged him. He lasted six months.

 

[Bag_O_Wallet]

Wasn't Alexi working as a carpenter? If so, he can bring his own 2x4...

True, and that 2x4 could be used to reinforce a door, just in case anybody comes knocking for Roberto in the night.

That said, I think I missed out on the most likely candidate. He's the perfect age for Radioshack.

 

[Anonymous]

True, and that 2x4 could be used to reinforce a door, just in case anybody comes knocking for Roberto in the night.

That said, I think I missed out on the most likely candidate. He's the perfect age for Radioshack.

He doesn't seem the type to want to ride in support of Bottle.

 

[Bag_O_Wallet]

He doesn't seem the type to want to ride in support of Bottle.

They have guys that do???

 

[oldschoolnik]

Wasn't Alexi working as a carpenter? If so, he can bring his own 2x4...

lol -

Is it true that if Gaggioli donated all his hair clippings from the 80's - there would be enough to supply every children's hospital in the US?

 

[tubularglue]

for entertainment value and a rare lowenbrau pic

http://www.flickr.com/photos/schueyjr/1640033033/#/

http://www.cyclingarchives.com/coureurfiche.php?coureurid=9420

 

[tubularglue]

lowenbrau photo

 

[tubularglue]

lowenbrau photo

 

[joe_papp]

While all the hate towards Grewal? Yeah he's definitely not mainstream and was a bad boy before it was cool (anyone remember the "I **** on Belgium" headline?) but so what? The guy is an amazing climber with a huge engine, and if Ned Overend's performances are anything to go by, I doubt Grewal would go out the back on the first stage if he actually trains for the race. Why begrudge the guy for wanting to have a goal to motivate and excite him, even if it's extreme? He's an Olympic champion and you all talk about him like he beat-up some junior at your local Wednesday Night Worlds.

Alexi Grewal is indelibly part of the rich history of road cycling, and his possible return to the sport is hardly a net negative, especially if it drives more mainstream interest in the race, even if it's coverage that was catalyzed by a seemingly oddball comeback attempt.

Do you guys even know him, or are you just going by what you've read other places?

 

[eleven]

While all the hate towards Grewal? Yeah he's definitely not mainstream and was a bad boy before it was cool (anyone remember the "I **** on Belgium" headline?) but so what? The guy is an amazing climber with a huge engine, and if Ned Overend's performances are anything to go by, I doubt Grewal would go out the back on the first stage if he actually trains for the race. Why begrudge the guy for wanting to have a goal to motivate and excite him, even if it's extreme? He's an Olympic champion and you all talk about him like he beat-up some junior at your local Wednesday Night Worlds.

Alexi Grewal is indelibly part of the rich history of road cycling, and his possible return to the sport is hardly a net negative, especially if it drives more mainstream interest in the race, even if it's coverage that was catalyzed by a seemingly oddball comeback attempt.

Do you guys even know him, or are you just going by what you've read other places?

Thank You, Joe Papp. I have no idea if he can hang for any or all of a stage, but he was a great rider and I'd love to see him try...oddness and all.

I just wish the article had a better picture

 

[Guttercat]

While all the hate towards Grewal? Yeah he's definitely not mainstream and was a bad boy before it was cool (anyone remember the "I **** on Belgium" headline?) but so what? The guy is an amazing climber with a huge engine, and if Ned Overend's performances are anything to go by, I doubt Grewal would go out the back on the first stage if he actually trains for the race. Why begrudge the guy for wanting to have a goal to motivate and excite him, even if it's extreme? He's an Olympic champion and you all talk about him like he beat-up some junior at your local Wednesday Night Worlds.

Alexi Grewal is indelibly part of the rich history of road cycling, and his possible return to the sport is hardly a net negative, especially if it drives more mainstream interest in the race, even if it's coverage that was catalyzed by a seemingly oddball comeback attempt.

Do you guys even know him, or are you just going by what you've read other places?

Alright. You bring up valid points. Everyone should have a chance to be given the benefit of the doubt, and don't kick a person who is or has been down and out, failed, and is trying to regroup.

But the man did not earn his "solid reputation" by being consistently stable.

(Much like LA these past couple of years).

Regardless, I like your post.

 

[Berzin]

While all the hate towards Grewal? Yeah he's definitely not mainstream and was a bad boy before it was cool (anyone remember the "I **** on Belgium" headline?) but so what? The guy is an amazing climber with a huge engine, and if Ned Overend's performances are anything to go by, I doubt Grewal would go out the back on the first stage if he actually trains for the race. Why begrudge the guy for wanting to have a goal to motivate and excite him, even if it's extreme? He's an Olympic champion and you all talk about him like he beat-up some junior at your local Wednesday Night Worlds.

Alexi Grewal is indelibly part of the rich history of road cycling, and his possible return to the sport is hardly a net negative, especially if it drives more mainstream interest in the race, even if it's coverage that was catalyzed by a seemingly oddball comeback attempt.

Do you guys even know him, or are you just going by what you've read other places?

I don't need to know him. He's yesterday's news as far as I'm concerned.

He should put that huge engine of his to work at being a better family man.

Nothing he does on a bike will change how his family and especially his children were short-changed by his behavior.

So please, Joe-there is more to cycling than hanging on to a legacy that has come and gone.

At a certain point charging at windmills just illustrates a pathetic personality that seems trapped in amber, when other priorities should take precedence.

 

[Neworld]

Interesting post.

I watched the youtube vid of selected intervals from the 1984 Olympic road race and at one point when AG was away ahead of Bauer one of the annoucers says "and to think AG may not have been racing today as he was recently suspended!" Does anyone know what he was referring to?

Also, isn't there a rumour that AG tested positive for a banned substance after or before the Olympics and AG stated he took a 'herbal tea' which was the culprit. Was there any definitive results or was that just a rumour.

I welcome AG back. I'd like to see a AG vs Steve Bauer show down. Steve may not be as lean as Grewal but it would be interesting. Hey, throw in Phinney, G. Lemond, Phil Anderson and the 'Hamster' for a 60 Km crit smackdown.

NW

 

[Darryl Webster]

Interesting post.

I watched the youtube vid of selected intervals from the 1984 Olympic road race and at one point when AG was away ahead of Bauer one of the annoucers says "and to think AG may not have been racing today as he was recently suspended!" Does anyone know what he was referring to?

Also, isn't there a rumour that AG tested positive for a banned substance after or before the Olympics and AG stated he took a 'herbal tea' which was the culprit. Was there any definitive results or was that just a rumour.

I welcome AG back. I'd like to see a AG vs Steve Bauer show down. Steve may not be as lean as Grewal but it would be interesting. Hey, throw in Phinney, G. Lemond, Phil Anderson and the 'Hamster' for a 60 Km crit smackdown.

NW

IIRC AG had a supect test result from the preceeding Coors Classic, and a herbal tea was eventualy said to be the culprit..ie unknown content of the tea...and this accepted "mistake" was judged not to have doped and allowed to start the Olympic RR. I was in GB Olympic RR team and rode the same Coors Classic and , due to it basicly having the bulk of the Olympic RR field participate can vouch for it being one of the hardest races I ever rode.

 

[flicker]

While all the hate towards Grewal? Yeah he's definitely not mainstream and was a bad boy before it was cool (anyone remember the "I **** on Belgium" headline?) but so what? The guy is an amazing climber with a huge engine, and if Ned Overend's performances are anything to go by, I doubt Grewal would go out the back on the first stage if he actually trains for the race. Why begrudge the guy for wanting to have a goal to motivate and excite him, even if it's extreme? He's an Olympic champion and you all talk about him like he beat-up some junior at your local Wednesday Night Worlds.

Alexi Grewal is indelibly part of the rich history of road cycling, and his possible return to the sport is hardly a net negative, especially if it drives more mainstream interest in the race, even if it's coverage that was catalyzed by a seemingly oddball comeback attempt.

Do you guys even know him, or are you just going by what you've read other places?

basiclly an uber catagory carrer doper. Took a gold in the olympic medal against clean rider. Substance abuser and drug addict. Irresponsible Father plus he feels sorry for himself. Joe whats not to like about a guy like alexi.

 

[mastersracer]

basiclly an uber catagory carrer doper. Took a gold in the olympic medal against clean rider. Substance abuser and drug addict. Irresponsible Father plus he feels sorry for himself. Joe whats not to like about a guy like alexi.

Grewal didn't test positive after the Olympic road race, didn't partake in the team blood transfusions (which involved too small transfusions to have any performance effect and wasn't illegal at the time). The ephedra supplements that were popular in his day probably had no ergogenic advantage anyways. Bauer screwed up the sprint by choosing too large a gear for the uphill finish.

 

[Neworld]

Grewal didn't test positive after the Olympic road race.

But what about before the Olympics as referenced in the live video on race day? So the rumour that AG tested positive for a banned substance after or before the Olympics is false?

NW