davestoller said:
Lance retires and the thread goes into the "Clinic"?
This says all one needs to know about CN, the forums here, and the mods.
Ponder this:
Without the Armstrong juggernaut, it is entirely probable that CN would never have made the case to be the online place where everyone checks results, goes to see whats happening in the sport, and catch up on rider interviews. But over the past few years, the "agenda" here versus Armstrong has been quite clear. Whatever.
Wow, so Lance invented the internet....and Cycling News. Man, I always knew he was awesome.
Your point is funny. I guess that's how people try to spin it, but the fact is LA hasn't really made much of an impact in the growth of the sport, at least in his home country. His popularity is more of a celebrity than cyclists, and is more about the cult of personality than the sport of cycling.
If cycling has grown in participation and popularity, it has a lot more to do with grass roots cycling (both racing and recreational riding) than LA. The fact is, the MS150 and FIAC have done way more for cycling than LA.
To your point about why is this in the clinic, I have to laugh. Did you read the first sentence and the very headline of the article in CN?:
"American calls time on controversial career
Lance Armstrong (RadioShack) has announced his retirement from professional cycling, calling time on a career that had become increasingly mired in controversy."
How could this NOT be in the clinic. This IS his legacy.
As far as the timing, I simply have to say "kudos" to Andy Messick for not giving in to the shakedown attempt to get LA on the start line at the ToC. You'll probably notice that the race will get on just fine without him. I for one am glad he won't be there.