Greg LeMond - Underrated & Unappreciated

[CSCJan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FITzO158KYI

He will always be the Greatest American Cyclist IMO.

Shame he isnt getting the respect he deserves.

 

[Indurain]

I agree. Cycling wouldn't be where it is today without him. He helped increase the basic wage of the professional cyclist. He helped develop and utilize equipment for the betterment of cyclist and paved the way for an easier transition for many English speaking foreign cyclists in the future.

Added to that, for his time he was a damn good cyclist. I've got no doubt had he been born during Merckx era, Merckx's would have had to share out quite a number of his victories to Lemond. Lemond was a true all rounder who could win just about any race he put his mind too. Even came close to winning Paris-Roubaix.

 

[Izzy eviel]

Legend.

It's always great to see old videos of him racing. Someone should post the video for the 1989 worlds. Great ride.

 

[Thorn Cycling]

Complete Legend. It always saddens me when other Americans know Armstrong and treat him like a god, but not LeMond, who imo was a better rider.

 

[usedtobefast]

the hunting accident was a big problem for him. it really derailed his career.
instead of 3 TDF, who knows what he could have done. he was a great rider in all areas.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Shame he isnt getting the respect he deserves.

I think he does by the truest, most hardcore, long standing fans.

 

[ustabe]

Legend.

It's always great to see old videos of him racing. Someone should post the video for the 1989 worlds. Great ride.

Even better, for me, anyhow, would be the 1983 Worlds. Coach Eddie B. used to brag about how Greg used every tool in the book (handed down from Eddie B., of course) to ensure his win. '83 was not as exciting as '89, but it shows LeMond coming into the best form of his life, riding against a talented and motivated field, and controlling the race, leaving nothing to chance, at the age of 22. Absolutely brilliant.

Somebody tell please us if a video of this race exists.

 

[ustabe]

Legend.

It's always great to see old videos of him racing. Someone should post the video for the 1989 worlds. Great ride.

Even better, for me, anyhow, would be the 1983 Worlds. Coach Eddie B. used to brag about how Greg used every tool in the book (handed down from Eddie B., of course) to ensure his win. '83 was not as exciting as '89, but it shows LeMond coming into the best form of his life, riding against a talented and motivated field, and controlling the race, leaving nothing to chance, at the age of 22. Absolutely brilliant.

Somebody tell please us if a video of this race exists.

 

[Berzin]

Indeed. Lemond was the true "Golden Boy" of pro cycling.

He had the incredible talent, the dramatic wins and the immense, graceful style.

The two lost years after his hunting accident were an enormous hindrance. One is left to wonder what could have been if he could have avoided that terrible event.

 

[Indurain]

Even better, for me, anyhow, would be the 1983 Worlds. Coach Eddie B. used to brag about how Greg used every tool in the book (handed down from Eddie B., of course) to ensure his win. '83 was not as exciting as '89, but it shows LeMond coming into the best form of his life, riding against a talented and motivated field, and controlling the race, leaving nothing to chance, at the age of 22. Absolutely brilliant.

Somebody tell please us if a video of this race exists.

Try http://www.cyclingtorrents.nl
I got the 89 worlds from there. They have the 82 worlds but not 83.

 

[El Imbatido]

Try http://www.cyclingtorrents.nl
I got the 89 worlds from there. They have the 82 worlds but not 83.

But at Cyclingtorrents.nl we do have 1983. In two parts:

http://www.cyclingtorrents.nl/details.php?id=405
http://www.cyclingtorrents.nl/details.php?id=414

They are in French, but are ready to burn to a dvd so you can watch on your tv. You just need a decent burning program

 

[Master50]

Laurent Fignon described Lemond as a wheel suck in his book we were young and carefree.
While I don't remember the 1989 tour in that light since I was hoping Lemond would win it, I do find the alternate perspective interesting.
Greg did great things and had a huge talent but I could never get past his complaining.
The sport is definitely the better from his contributions and talent.
As for Fignon's book? So far a pretty good read.

 

[Havetts]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkSl-45M5-8

Seems Phineas and Ferb recognize Greg .

 

[icefire]

Laurent Fignon described Lemond as a wheel suck in his book we were young and carefree.
While I don't remember the 1989 tour in that light since I was hoping Lemond would win it, I do find the alternate perspective interesting.
Greg did great things and had a huge talent but I could never get past his complaining.
The sport is definitely the better from his contributions and talent.
As for Fignon's book? So far a pretty good read.

In 1989 LeMond only met his teammates at breakfast at dinner, never during the race. His team in 1990 wasn't any stronger. So in those two years he did his best to maximise returns for his own efforts with a non-existent team and results he got. That stopped working in 1991 when he was the race leader, Mottet and Leblanc went on a break in the first mountain stage and nobody helped him to chase. His complains after the stage finish on Delgado's team for not helping (Leblanc was Fignon's teammate) were duly answered on the road the following day by Indurain (and Chiapucci). See you never, Mr Wheelsucker.

 

[usedtobefast]

In 1989 LeMond only met his teammates at breakfast at dinner, never during the race. His team in 1990 wasn't any stronger. So in those two years he did his best to maximise returns for his own efforts with a non-existent team and results he got. That stopped working in 1991 when he was the race leader, Mottet and Leblanc went on a break in the first mountain stage and nobody helped him to chase. His complains after the stage finish on Delgado's team for not helping (Leblanc was Fignon's teammate) were duly answered on the road the following day by Indurain (and Chiapucci). See you never, Mr Wheelsucker.

isn't racing all about wheelsucking, really? sure, being a time trial madman
is good too. but to denigrate sitting on wheels? come on.

 

[AngusW]

In 1989 LeMond only met his teammates at breakfast at dinner, never during the race. His team in 1990 wasn't any stronger. So in those two years he did his best to maximise returns for his own efforts with a non-existent team and results he got. That stopped working in 1991 when he was the race leader, Mottet and Leblanc went on a break in the first mountain stage and nobody helped him to chase. His complains after the stage finish on Delgado's team for not helping (Leblanc was Fignon's teammate) were duly answered on the road the following day by Indurain (and Chiapucci). See you never, Mr Wheelsucker.

I thought his team in 1990 was much stronger. ADR in 1989 were hardly able to offer LeMond any support during the tour, which is why he did so much wheel sucking (of other teams). But Z-Peugeot had a much bigger budget and in 1990 had riders like Ronan Pensec and Robert Millar on their roster. Pensec certainly rode the 1990 tour (not sure about Millar) as he wore the maillot jaune for several days.

EDIT: Z team for 1990 (finishers): Lemond, Eric Boyer, Pensec, Jerome Simon, Atle Kvalsvoll, Bruno Cornillet, Gilbert Duclosse-Lassalle, Francois LeMarchand.

ADR team for 1989 (finishers): LeMond, Rene Martens, Johan Museeuw, Johan Lammerts.

 

[ChrisE]

This thread is stupid.

Some GL fan gets butthurt because he didn't race when mass media started blowing up. Neither did Merckx, so why don't we do an unappreciated thread on him? The avg. person in the US knows less about him than GL.

GL was a great racer. Get a life.

 

[ustabe]

But at Cyclingtorrents.nl we do have 1983. In two parts:

Just joined. I can hardly wait to download after 30 days.

 

[Oldman]

Laurent Fignon described Lemond as a wheel suck in his book we were young and carefree.
While I don't remember the 1989 tour in that light since I was hoping Lemond would win it, I do find the alternate perspective interesting.
Greg did great things and had a huge talent but I could never get past his complaining.
The sport is definitely the better from his contributions and talent.
As for Fignon's book? So far a pretty good read.

Fignon missed several prime opportunities to finish off Lemond in that Tour so his complaints about "sucking" really can't justify his own tactics. The final time trial pretty much settles all bets anyway.

As for Lemond complaining...he didn't seem to have the benefit of any PR education which could be either yield an honest response or one that lacks proper perspective; depends on your own view. Not having been in his competitive position after 3 weeks I'd guess he would be more likely to complain about his treatment from Fignon and the Badger than most. But he was the only American ever in that position at that time.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

LeMond's 1989 ADR team also had Eddy Planckart, but he dropped out. It was one of the weakest teams in the Tour, no doubt. 1990 was another story, the team was one of the strongest at the start. Robert Millar was to be his climbing helper, but he crashed early on and struggled. There was a shot of him somewhere riding with a neck brace.

By 1991 things were different, and Icefire remembers it correctly.

While I think Greg got the short end of the stick in 1985, he didn't handle it well in front of the cameras. In 1986 he did better, but perhaps because he won. There are a few clips of him complaining late in his career, but I think by then the media was pushing him because he was riding so poorly as the clean man in a dirty world and he was grasping for answers.

This thread is stupid... GL was a great racer. Get a life.

Looks like someone's chain broke on a training ride today.

 

[Master50]

This thread is stupid.

Some GL fan gets butthurt because he didn't race when mass media started blowing up. Neither did Merckx, so why don't we do an unappreciated thread on him? The avg. person in the US knows less about him than GL.

GL was a great racer. Get a life.

Greg? Is that you?

No man, even a great one is immune to criticism or retrospection. Can you quote an example of a Butthurt GL fan for the less sensitive of us?

Can't quite see who's comment might incite you to post such a childish offence comment?

 

[ChrisE]

Greg? Is that you?

No man, even a great one is immune to criticism or retrospection. Can you quote an example of a Butthurt GL fan for the less sensitive of us?

Can't quite see who's comment might incite you to post such a childish offence comment?

Not quite. We all know what spawned this thread.

 

[Race Radio]

Not quite. We all know what spawned this thread.

Yes, we all know how this inspired many fans

 

[blutto]

Laurent Fignon described Lemond as a wheel suck in his book we were young and carefree.
While I don't remember the 1989 tour in that light since I was hoping Lemond would win it, I do find the alternate perspective interesting.
Greg did great things and had a huge talent but I could never get past his complaining.
The sport is definitely the better from his contributions and talent.
As for Fignon's book? So far a pretty good read.

...while it is true that some members of the peloton, who were obviously bitter and jealous of GL's awesome talent, would resort to calling GL a wheel-sucker in a failed attempt to cover their own inadequacies ( an interview with Stephen Roche in Winning stands out as an example...and there were also comments by Kelly and Hinault along these lines... bitter and jealous second tier pikers all...especially Hinault, the epitome of Gaullic gall...and we all know how bitter the Irish are... )...one only has to look at LeMond's self-less pull on the last hill at the Goodwood Worlds to reel in a dangerous breakout and allow a teammate to win to put a final end to that lie...

Cheers

blutto

 

[9000ft]

Back in his day GL certainly was admired as a bike racer. I don't remember him being unappreciated and I certainly admired his palmares then and now. He just did it in an era without instantaneous media and when cycling was a smaller sport in the US.

As a person, well, never met the guy so I couldn't say.