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Graham Watson is just one more LA's blabber?!

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Gee333 said:
Certainly one would agree that training on the roads by yourself is different than training in a race environment. And training in that environment is essential to work your way up to snuff come Tour time. Several Tour riders do that as well, even AC. Although AC is the exception as he can blaze his guns and still be Tour ready.

And really, how different is his Spring than in previous years? You never see him shooting for the win during this time. Then add in that he's 159 years old and he doesn't have the resilience as Contador.

People get all worked up because of all the hype that the media put on this race as an LA vs. AC showdown. Anyone who thought it really was going to be one was sadly mistaken. The real showdown will happen in July, period.

And really, who cares what Watson said. We know who's side he's on. So dismiss it and move on instead of ranting about it over and over again. (Not directed at you Python, just a general observation.)

I don't think this is technically true. He's done well when he's raced Amstel Gold. I think the only reason why I (I won't pretend to speak for others) think this is relevant is it is a credibility issue for Lance and Company. At the start of this season, they were talking up how much weight he's lost (listing himself at 71kg), how much stronger he is compared to last year (Carmichael and that motor scooter), that he's more comfortable in the peloton, that he wants a more traditional calendar this year and that he wants to win prior to the Tour. And then reality shows up and they start back tracking and spinning. To my knowledge, no reputable journalist or media personality has mentioned the contradiction, because, like you, they say it's only March--which really isn't the point. Hell it's March for everybody, so that doesn't mean anything to me.

For an athlete that supposedly trains harder, smarter, longer, he shouldn't have such shltty form at this time of the year. But it's March and he's getting shelled out the back of every climb he's raced so far (Murcia and Critierium) and his pre-Tour racing schedule is going to be largely devoid of big mountains (Tour of Flanders, Amstel, (that 4 day tour around some part of France), ToC, and ToS). But somehow, magically (I suppose), he's going to be competitive in the high mountains in July. I say magically because all of the normal stories have been exposed (doesn't train harder, longer or smarter, he's not measuring his food, his high cadence is bs, everyone recons the high mountains) as lies. If he had not oversold things, there wouldn't be much to say.

As for Graham Watson, he's definitely entitled to his opinion, but his bias is seeping through into his work. Reading the descriptions under the photographs, it's clear that he despises AC and glorifies all that is Lance and Company. That makes sense if he's only acting as the team photographer, which isn't the case. If he can't keep his opinion out of his work, perhaps he can hire someone to write the blurbs.
 

Polish

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Publicus said:
I say magically because all of the normal stories have been exposed (doesn't train harder, longer or smarter, he's not measuring his food, his high cadence is bs, everyone recons the high mountains) as lies.

These days, everyone does what Lance used to do.

The normal stories have not been exposed - they have
been copied by the other riders.

Lance sets the precedent, other copy.

Lance was the FIRST to twitter tweet.

About the only thing that Lance has NOT set the precedent on - Doping.
 
Polish said:
These days, everyone does what Lance used to do.

The normal stories have not been exposed - they have
been copied by the other riders.

Lance sets the precedent, other copy.

Lance was the FIRST to twitter tweet.

About the only thing that Lance has NOT set the precedent on - Doping.

How do you know Lance was the first to do such things, because he and his media people say so? or because there is actual undenieable proof that he was the first to do such things.
 
Polish said:
These days, everyone does what Lance used to do.

The normal stories have not been exposed - they have
been copied by the other riders.

Lance sets the precedent, other copy.

Lance was the FIRST to twitter tweet.

About the only thing that Lance has NOT set the precedent on - Doping.

Lance isn't doing any of them. He's not training harder or smarter. He's simply not training.
 
Polish said:
These days, everyone does what Lance used to do.

The normal stories have not been exposed - they have
been copied by the other riders.

Lance sets the precedent, other copy.

Lance was the FIRST to twitter tweet.

About the only thing that Lance has NOT set the precedent on - Doping.

You are joking right?:confused:
 
The biggest changes in Lance's fortunes was mainly due to something he was definitely not the first to do, get Ferrari as his trainer.

"Going to Ferrari was like stick a fying pan up your ***, it was so obvious what was going on" Willy Voet, Breaking the Chain, 1999
 
Apr 29, 2009
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I was inspired to read some of Watsons website...and especially the Lance galleries.

Sllllllluuuuuuuuuurrp slurp slurp indeed.
 
A political science professor of mine in college went to a local TV station to be interviewed about the Iraq War during the initial invasion, code named "Shock and Awe".

He heard through the interviewer's earpiece that the producer was telling her to mention the phrase "shock and awe" about every 5 seconds.

My professor then asked, "Aren't you allowed to ask questions independent of these talking points?"

She was NOT allowed, and so the interview went with her either mentioning the phrase or trying to make my professor, in his responses, utter the phrase as often as possible.

What I'm trying to say is, using the above example, journalism is not what we think it is, or hope it is. Graham Watson has no independence in the manner in which he exercises his craft. He HAS to prostitute himself or else he's out of a job.

Not to jump on this bandwagon simply because of his recent remarks, but he is not so talented that he can't be replaced. There are many photographers who take basically the same types of pictures. The difference lies in who has access and who doesn't.

I'm not saying the guy isn't talented, I'm just saying he's just one of many in a field that lends itself more to who is placed where and who is not.

That type of atmosphere calls for ball suckers to come to the fore, plain and simple.

It's just like many other jobs out there, and I've witnessed this with my own eyes. The brown nosers kiss behinds to get ahead when all they have to bring to the table is mediocrity. Anyone who doesn't toe the line and say the right thing to the right person is on the outside looking in.
 
Bag_O_Wallet said:
So, Armstrong's doing RVV in a week's time? That should be more dreadful than Crit. Internatinal!

With rain predicted every day from now through Sunday (60% chance on Sunday), and a high of 51 F (11 C), conditions should be perfect for the Belgian Hardmen.

Not so perfect if you've spent all winter/spring in Hawaii, South Africa, Spain, and Corsica.
 
Aug 19, 2009
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Berzin said:
I'm not saying the guy isn't talented, I'm just saying he's just one of many in a field that lends itself more to who is placed where and who is not.
/QUOTE]

I have some sort of vague recollection of Graham Watson not getting the access to the TDF Champagne photo op. between Alberto and JB. Have I bonked my head too many times, or did this happen?
 
Berzin said:
A political science professor of mine in college went to a local TV station to be interviewed about the Iraq War during the initial invasion, code named "Shock and Awe".

He heard through the interviewer's earpiece that the producer was telling her to mention the phrase "shock and awe" about every 5 seconds.

My professor then asked, "Aren't you allowed to ask questions independent of these talking points?"

She was NOT allowed, and so the interview went with her either mentioning the phrase or trying to make my professor, in his responses, utter the phrase as often as possible.

What I'm trying to say is, using the above example, journalism is not what we think it is, or hope it is. Graham Watson has no independence in the manner in which he exercises his craft. He HAS to prostitute himself or else he's out of a job.

Not to jump on this bandwagon simply because it's convenient, but he is not so talented that he can't be replaced. There are many photographers who take basically the same types of pictures. The difference lies in who has access and who doesn't.

I'm not saying the guy isn't talented, I'm just saying he's just one of many in a field that lends itself more to who is placed where and who is not.

That type of atmosphere calls for ball suckers to come to the fore, plain and simple.

It's just like many other jobs out there, and I've witnessed this with my own eyes. The brown nosers kiss behinds to get ahead when all they have to bring to the table is mediocrity. Anyone who doesn't toe the line is on the outside looking in.

Berzin I agree with your analysis regarding modern journalism with one caveat: Watson is not a journalist, he's a photographer.

I'd actually be more forgiving of Watson's ***-licking ways if he was in fact a journalist because I've come to understand and agree with your analysis; many "journalists" are in fact paid to spew talking points (read: propoganda) rather that actually report on facts and that is just their job nowadays.

But in Watson's case we have a very experienced photog who's been around the sport for many years who is now being literally paid by the Armstrong camp to spew pro-Armstrong propoganda under the illusion that Watson is merely commenting independently based on his years of following the sport.

It's a sad spectacle, and I for one won't forget this and will vote with my Dollars by ensuring that not a single cent of my own goes into the pockets of this sweaty fatboy/fanboy Graham Watson ever again.

Cor Vos among others shall profit from Watson's *** business decision on this one.
 
BikeCentric said:
Cor Vos among others shall profit from Watson's *** business decision on this one.

And to clarify on this point: it's probably a good business decision in the very short-term but a bad long-term business decision because this is obviously Armstrong's last year as a pro racer.

Edit: Maybe Watson plans on retiring soon as well and just wants to milk the Lance-cow for all the cash he's worth before walking away.
 

Polish

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Publicus said:
Lance isn't doing any of them. He's not training harder or smarter. He's simply not training.

Lance is ahead of the curve as usual.

Next year - expect to see Pro's crowding into the TdU's Mickey D's.

pmcg76 said:
How do you know Lance was the first to do such things, because he and his media people say so? or because there is actual undenieable proof that he was the first to do such things.

C'mon pmcg, how long have you been spectating?

You really need to do your homework if you were not paying attention while Lance was actually DOING those things.

And paying attention as others started to copy Lance's success.

Here are some others for you....

Wind Tunnel - All the Big Dogs use them right? Modern Wind Tunnels have been around since the 1930's. Who used them first? Fausto? Eddy?

Aero Bars - Lance was rocking Aero Bars years before they showed up in a Paris ITT. Guess where Greg got the idea lol.

OxYgeN TenT - the legal way to "dope". Lance tried to keep his use of them a secret. He knew others would copy. He wanted them to dope the fail-way and get caught lol. Trickster - just like flicker says.

HiTech Poly Skinsuits - Ok, Disco Stu did that first.
 
BikeCentric said:
Berzin I agree with your analysis regarding modern journalism with one caveat: Watson is not a journalist, he's a photographer.

This is true, but as a photographer his pictures go hand in hand with whatever journalistic piece is written that uses his work. So in that regard he is part of the same craft.

At the very least he should practice a certain amount of discretion with his statements or make it plain that his opinions are biased because of who employs him. :eek::eek::eek:
 
"It was obvious that Armstrong is far stronger than in 2009, that his body is leaner and lighter, and that his mindsight is as tough as its ever been-I really wouldnt bet against him in July, though my bias is well known by now"
Cycle Sport, April 2010 on the TDU

There you have it, Watson is an official fanboy.
 

Dr. Maserati

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Jun 19, 2009
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Polish said:
Here are some others for you....

Wind Tunnel - All the Big Dogs use them right? Modern Wind Tunnels have been around since the 1930's. Who used them first? Fausto? Eddy?

Aero Bars
- Lance was rocking Aero Bars years before they showed up in a Paris ITT. Guess where Greg got the idea lol.

Aero Bars, Lance invented them - maybe that is why he is carrying so much extra weight.
2h4ly0l.jpg
 
pmcg76 said:
"It was obvious that Armstrong is far stronger than in 2009, that his body is leaner and lighter, and that his mindsight is as tough as its ever been-I really wouldnt bet against him in July, though my bias is well known by now"
Cycle Sport, April 2010 on the TDU

There you have it, Watson is an official fanboy.

He is officially losing his sight.