Breaking news: "Armstrong Brushes Aside Contador Taunt"

[Anonymous]

I haven't seen this bit posted in English, but Here's a Google translation of a quote of Andy Schleck about Armstrong.

"He is motivated and believes he can win, but I doubt it," said Schleck. "He has no more to the level in the high mountains."

http://www.sportweek.nl/wielrennen/124826/Andy_Schleck_Betwijfel_of_Armstrong_de_Tour_kan_winnen

Sean Yates was also quoted on the subject:

“He has been quoted as saying he is going to be stronger,” Yates said yesterday. “I think he won’t be. Lance is a one-off. To come back like he has is phenomenal. He has unbelievable motivation, but physically, even for him, there is a limit. Physically he is the same or lower.”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/cycling/article6976001.ece

So why isn't Armstrong attacking the other guy who beat him at the Tour, or the long-time Director Sportif? I think the answer is partially due to the way they steered Alberto to the Spanish press during the Tour, and LA recently accused them of printing lies. The English-speaking press ran with a bad translation of Contador's statement, and are willing to print Armstrong's twitter as Gospel. The English-speaking press, as well as publications like Het Nieuwsblad and Telegraaf, are willing to print anything Armstrong says without question, and obviously not leaping to Contador's defense. But if he said something about Yates, the British press would take him on, and Schleck has his Cycling News blog and other avenues to respond with a large audience.

To be honest, some of the stuff Armstrong has been saying lately is so far out there it has me scared. I'll stop there.

 

[BikeCentric]

What an appallingly inaccurate article 'Contador the biggest threat to Armstrong' (Armstrong isn't even the biggest threat to Contador)?? The 'doping marred Tours 2006-8' (because of course the TdF 1999 - 2003 was squeaky clean right?)??? The NYT should be ashamed of themselves for parading this kind of guff as journalism.

They just don't know anything about cycling. That's par for the course on this side of the pond. You'd really be surprised at just how small of a sport cycling is in America even after all these Armstrong years. I live in an area (Northern CA) that is suppossedly this country's biggest hotbed of cycling but really the only people that know anything about the sport are the few other racers around. Club riders are perhaps even more clueless about the sport than the general population.

Contrast all that I just said with American football. People in general in this country really know football well, from personnel evaluation to play calling. There is just no room for cycling in the over-saturated sports market we have here and that's reflected in the poor media coverage.

 

[BikeCentric]

To be honest, some of the stuff Armstrong has been saying lately is so far out there it has me scared. I'll stop there.

Don't be afraid, watch his meltdown with the enjoyment of a Shakespearean tragedy.

Anyway, what I find pathologically weird about Armstrong's comments is that he has somehow attempted to spin Contador's compliment into an insult. Personally I think that there is no doubt that Contador was attempting to compliment LA with this comment by basically saying that he has become more popular than ever as a result of beating Lance Armstrong. He has de-throned the King of cycling mano-a-mano and ridden to fame on Armstrong's coat-tails. Openly acknowledging this is a gesture of respect to the deposed King. But Armstrong refuses to accept any sort of compliment from his usurper.

 

[Polish]

They just don't know anything about cycling. That's par for the course on this side of the pond. You'd really be surprised at just how small of a sport cycling is in America even after all these Armstrong years. I live in an area (Northern CA) that is suppossedly this country's biggest hotbed of cycling but really the only people that know anything about the sport are the few other racers around. Club riders are perhaps even more clueless about the sport than the general population.

Contrast all that I just said with American football. People in general in this country really know football well, from personnel evaluation to play calling. There is just no room for cycling in the over-saturated sports market we have here and that's reflected in the poor media coverage.

People on this side of the pond also have poor reading comprehension...

It was Eddy who said that "he considers Contador the biggest threat to Armstrong" not the NYTimes.

And 2006 -08 WERE doping marred. Thats a fact the NYTimes could stand behind.

 

[richwagmn]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/cycling/article6976001.ece

Not to hijack this thread too much but...

I'm not impressed with the talk out of Sky about Wiggins. What exactly has this guy done in road racing? Answer. Not much.

Wiggins strikes me as someone at the same level as many other riders out there (Evans, Armstrong, Leipheimer, Sastre, etc). People who could contend for a podium spot but not a win (unless someone has a really bad day). He's certainly not at Contador's or Schleck's level. Brad seems like a climber who can hang on until the pace gets crazy. He certainly has no ability to drop Contador or Schleck (think of Evan's attacks at Dauphiné Libéré, AC looked bored). I can't construct a way he wins without AC or AS blowing up.

I think there are going to be a lot of balloons popped come this July.

 

[BikeCentric]

People on this side of the pond also have poor reading comprehension...

It was Eddy who said that "he considers Contador the biggest threat to Armstrong" not the NYTimes.

And 2006 -08 WERE doping marred. Thats a fact the NYTimes could stand behind.

Thanks Polish, you do a great job of illustrating my sentiments about Americans in general not knowing jack about the sport of cycling. Keep posting buddy!

 

[D Avoid]

Not to hijack this thread too much but...

I'm not impressed with the talk out of Sky about Wiggins. What exactly has this guy done in road racing? Answer. Not much.

Wiggins strikes me as someone at the same level as many other riders out there (Evans, Armstrong, Leipheimer, Sastre, etc). People who could contend for a podium spot but not a win (unless someone has a really bad day). He's certainly not at Contador's or Schleck's level. Brad seems like a climber who can hang on until the pace gets crazy. He certainly has no ability to drop Contador or Schleck (think of Evan's attacks at Dauphiné Libéré, AC looked bored). I can't construct a way he wins without AC or AS blowing up.

I think there are going to be a lot of balloons popped come this July.

They'll only pop if they blow to high in the mountains, with laughing grass inserted we could have some interesting stops to admire the views.

 

[BYOP88]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/14/sports/AP-CYC-Tour-de-France-Armstrong.html?_r=1

The last line of that "story":
''He's doing it for himself,'' Merckx said. ''The Tour is the No. 1 event in cycling.''


I hope Lance will remind his friend Eddy and the NYTimes that the comeback isn't about Lance but about CANCER, and makes the Times put that on their front page tomorrow.

 

[Deagol]

Don't be afraid, watch his meltdown with the enjoyment of a Shakespearean tragedy.

Anyway, what I find pathologically weird about Armstrong's comments is that he has somehow attempted to spin Contador's compliment into an insult. Personally I think that there is no doubt that Contador was attempting to compliment LA with this comment by basically saying that he has become more popular than ever as a result of beating Lance Armstrong. He has de-throned the King of cycling mano-a-mano and ridden to fame on Armstrong's coat-tails. Openly acknowledging this is a gesture of respect to the deposed King. But Armstrong refuses to accept any sort of compliment from his usurper.

Another interpretation may be that because LA acted sort of like a big "jerk" towards AC, that maybe people felt more sympathy for AC than they would have otherwise (I am in that camp, not being much a fan of AC). It’s not so much that he BEAT him, but that he had to DEAL with him acting like that in the first place.

OK, so there I finally said it. I was once (no so long ago) a big LA fan, but now after observing his behavior, even towards a rider I did not initially like very much, over the past year I think he is a jerk. Maybe now I am officially a “hater” ?? (I don’t hate him, just don’t like him anymore).

So, LA’s behavior towards AC made me feel bad for him and made him more favorable to root for AC in my eyes. This would have been true if AC had ended up beating LA or not. I just feel bad for anyone who would have to deal with that sort of treatment within their own team. Now if AC would just stop doing that cocky “pistol” salute, maybe I would really like him…

 

[bianchigirl]

+1 on the pistol thing, he really doesn't need it

 

[BikeCentric]

Another interpretation may be that because LA acted sort of like a big "jerk" towards AC, that maybe people felt more sympathy for AC than they would have otherwise (I am in that camp, not being much a fan of AC). It’s not so much that he BEAT him, but that he had to DEAL with him acting like that in the first place.

OK, so there I finally said it. I was once (no so long ago) a big LA fan, but now after observing his behavior, even towards a rider I did not initially like very much, over the past year I think he is a jerk. Maybe now I am officially a “hater” ?? (I don’t hate him, just don’t like him anymore).

So, LA’s behavior towards AC made me feel bad for him and made him more favorable to root for AC in my eyes. This would have been true if AC had ended up beating LA or not. I just feel bad for anyone who would have to deal with that sort of treatment within their own team. Now if AC would just stop doing that cocky “pistol” salute, maybe I would really like him…

Yes, the way this works is that if you don't worship the ground that Sir Lance walks upon then you are officially a hater. The chamois-sniffers demand nothing less than complete and total adulation.

 

[hfer07]

Now if AC would just stop doing that cocky “pistol” salute, maybe I would really like him…

but, what could be a "pistolero" without his "pistola?

 

[Mellow Velo]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/14/sports/AP-CYC-Tour-de-France-Armstrong.html?_r=1

The last line of that "story":
''He's doing it for himself,'' Merckx said. ''The Tour is the No. 1 event in cycling.''


I hope Lance will remind his friend Eddy and the NYTimes that the comeback isn't about Lance but about CANCER, and makes the Times put that on their front page tomorrow.

It's actually one of the few accurate lines in the sloppy article.

 

[maltiv]

Contador's pistol shot salute is probably the most successful troll attempt in modern day history.

As long as it ****es off Lance and his followers, he will never stop

 

[Publicus]

Contador's pistol shot salute is probably the most successful troll attempt in modern day history.

As long as it ****es off Lance and his followers, he will never stop

I don't know the genesis of it, but I recall that it is a personal communication to someone. So as long as that person is around and able to receive the message, he'll probably keep sending it.

 

[Carboncrank]

Anyway, what I find pathologically weird about Armstrong's comments is that he has somehow attempted to spin Contador's compliment into an insult. Personally I think that there is no doubt that Contador was attempting to compliment LA with this comment by basically saying that he has become more popular than ever as a result of beating Lance Armstrong. He has de-throned the King of cycling mano-a-mano and ridden to fame on Armstrong's coat-tails. Openly acknowledging this is a gesture of respect to the deposed King. But Armstrong refuses to accept any sort of compliment from his usurper.

oh yea! contador has been so full of compliments hasn't he!
he couldn't have meant being the champion of people that hate lance has helped make him famous? couldn't have mean that could he? couldn't possibly be sarcasm could it? he wasn't the biggest name in the sport in 07 and 08 was he? he wasn't the clear favorite in 09 was he?

let's say alberto shatters his collar bone 10 weeks before the start of the tour.

Does he win?

 

[zapata]

I don't know the genesis of it, but I recall that it is a personal communication to someone. So as long as that person is around and able to receive the message, he'll probably keep sending it.

I actually don't mind him brandishing his pistol, I have to say. But, your comment reminded me: who was it that celebrated a stage win by making a gesture like he was reeling in a fish on a fishing rod? some time last year, a saxo-rider I think? That was supposed to be a personal communication, I think, and also one of the stupidest celebrations I have seen.

 

[BikeCentric]

oh yea! contador has been so full of compliments hasn't he!
he couldn't have meant being the champion of people that hate lance has helped make him famous? couldn't have mean that could he? couldn't possibly be sarcasm could it? he wasn't the biggest name in the sport in 07 and 08 was he? he wasn't the clear favorite in 09 was he?

let's say alberto shatters his collar bone 10 weeks before the start of the tour.

Does he win?

I don't know, why don't you stop asking *** hypothetical questions and just come right out and say whatever the He!! it is you are trying to tell us?

 

[Anonymous]

It seems in this forum that Alberto is portayed as quite a golden boy when compared to Lance, but does anyone really think all of Alberto's comments are so innocent and not intended to annoy Lance?

I mean, everyone here can see that Lance is pretty emotionally unstable about having lost the Tour and is quite scared and afraid of Alberto, but I give credit to Contador here (yes, a fan can admit one of the riders he supports has flaws - we are not all chamois sniffers as Bikecentric unfairly likes to portray us as)

AC knows how to tick off Lance. He knows what to say to the media, and he knows not to expand on his comments. One or two sentences will tick off Lance that he leads to a whole paragraph of rhetoric

But everyone here seems to think that AC is just being so nice and innocent about it. I think we should give credit where credit is due to Contador for his mind games here. He's not saying innocent things that Lance takes out of context, he's saying things that he is fully aware will tick off Lance. Good on him tho, mind games are great in this sport!!

AC is smarter than you all give him credit for. He's the new master-mind of mind games, and its clearly working. He's no sweet golden boy. Nice guys don't win great sporting events, you know the saying, nice guys always come last (or in Cadels case, second).

AC is no sweetey, he's a smart man, playing a very smart tactical game with a few baiting comments here and there, but essentially letting the results of his quads do the talking.. Give the guy some credit for his media-tactic genius-ness. His baiting of Lance, and praise of Andy S is a great tactic, almost as good as his bike riding abilities.. Credit to you Alberto, you are a very smart and savvy individual.

 

[auscyclefan94]

It seems in this forum that Alberto is portayed as quite a golden boy when compared to Lance, but does anyone really think all of Alberto's comments are so innocent and not intended to annoy Lance?

I mean, everyone here can see that Lance is pretty emotionally unstable about having lost the Tour and is quite scared and afraid of Alberto, but I give credit to Contador here (yes, a fan can admit one of the riders he supports has flaws - we are not all chamois sniffers as Bikecentric unfairly likes to portray us as)

AC knows how to tick off Lance. He knows what to say to the media, and he knows not to expand on his comments. One or two sentences will tick off Lance that he leads to a whole paragraph of rhetoric

But everyone here seems to think that AC is just being so nice and innocent about it. I think we should give credit where credit is due to Contador for his mind games here. He's not saying innocent things that Lance takes out of context, he's saying things that he is fully aware will tick off Lance. Good on him tho, mind games are great in this sport!!

AC is smarter than you all give him credit for. He's the new master-mind of mind games, and its clearly working. He's no sweet golden boy. Nice guys don't win great sporting events, you know the saying, nice guys always come last (or in Cadels case, second).

AC is no sweetey, he's a smart man, playing a very smart tactical game with a few baiting comments here and there, but essentially letting the results of his quads do the talking.. Give the guy some credit for his media-tactic genius-ness. His baiting of Lance, and praise of Andy S is a great tactic, almost as good as his bike riding abilities.. Credit to you Alberto, you are a very smart and savvy individual.

+1

Alberto likes to play Armstrong on as well. Lance gets more attention though when he says something.
Do you think that Lance sees some same characterristics and personality traits of Alberto in himself?

 

[Publicus]

It seems in this forum that Alberto is portayed as quite a golden boy when compared to Lance, but does anyone really think all of Alberto's comments are so innocent and not intended to annoy Lance?

I mean, everyone here can see that Lance is pretty emotionally unstable about having lost the Tour and is quite scared and afraid of Alberto, but I give credit to Contador here (yes, a fan can admit one of the riders he supports has flaws - we are not all chamois sniffers as Bikecentric unfairly likes to portray us as)

AC knows how to tick off Lance. He knows what to say to the media, and he knows not to expand on his comments. One or two sentences will tick off Lance that he leads to a whole paragraph of rhetoric

But everyone here seems to think that AC is just being so nice and innocent about it. I think we should give credit where credit is due to Contador for his mind games here. He's not saying innocent things that Lance takes out of context, he's saying things that he is fully aware will tick off Lance. Good on him tho, mind games are great in this sport!!

AC is smarter than you all give him credit for. He's the new master-mind of mind games, and its clearly working. He's no sweet golden boy. Nice guys don't win great sporting events, you know the saying, nice guys always come last (or in Cadels case, second).

AC is no sweetey, he's a smart man, playing a very smart tactical game with a few baiting comments here and there, but essentially letting the results of his quads do the talking.. Give the guy some credit for his media-tactic genius-ness. His baiting of Lance, and praise of Andy S is a great tactic, almost as good as his bike riding abilities.. Credit to you Alberto, you are a very smart and savvy individual.

I don't think anyone has called AC a sweetie or suggested that he hasn't gotten digs into LA. At least as it relates to these comments, LA greatly over-reacted to what was being said, which as Carbon Cranks post demonstrates above, takes considerable effort to transform from the acknowledgment of Lance's role in AC's popularity into some sort of attack on Lance.

He's a straight shooter, who chooses his words relatively carefully.

 

[Bike Boy]

I actually don't mind him brandishing his pistol, I have to say. But, your comment reminded me: who was it that celebrated a stage win by making a gesture like he was reeling in a fish on a fishing rod? some time last year, a saxo-rider I think? That was supposed to be a personal communication, I think, and also one of the stupidest celebrations I have seen.

It was CAS (Chris Anker Sørensen). great guy by the way. always ready with a funny comment in front of journalist.

There is a fun story behind that celebration. Not quite sure whether it belongs under this thread though.

 

[B.Rasmussen]

I actually don't mind him brandishing his pistol, I have to say. But, your comment reminded me: who was it that celebrated a stage win by making a gesture like he was reeling in a fish on a fishing rod? some time last year, a saxo-rider I think? That was supposed to be a personal communication, I think, and also one of the stupidest celebrations I have seen.

You're probably thinking of Chris Anker Sørensen winning the queen's stage to La Toussuire in DL 2008, and yes it was stupid. I believe it was a bet with his mates back home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFf1NzjxYaw (at 7:40)

edit: Bike Boy beat me to it, that's what I get for watching the finish again before posting.

 

[zapata]

You're probably thinking of Chris Anker Sørensen winning the queen's stage to La Toussuire in DL 2008, and yes it was stupid. I believe it was a bet with his mates back home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFf1NzjxYaw (at 7:40)

edit: Bike Boy beat me to it, that's what I get for watching the finish again before posting.

Ah! Thank you both. it was 2008!? Time flies.

 

[Bike Boy]

edit: Bike Boy beat me to it, that's what I get for watching the finish again before posting.

ha ha

men tak for det link. fantastisk at gense