Greg LeMond - Underrated & Unappreciated

[Race Radio]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJSgzHTRg38

1989 Worlds, last 10 minutes.

 

[Velo Dude]

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.

Not to mention the one stolen by Hinault.

 

[Merckx index]

Not to mention the one stolen by Hinault.

I believe that's a misconception. The only reason GL was close to Hinault on the GC is because he went on an escape in one stage and Bernard worked to control the peloton (can you imagine LA controlling the peloton so someone on his team could take 2d? next question). The idea was to solidify Greg's second spot. True, Greg was ordered to hang back at one point on a later stage when he might have gapped BH enough to win the GC, and IMO that was kind of irrational of the team, because either way they were going to get 1-2. From an unselfish team point of view, what did it matter who was first and who was second? But that earlier escape is what put Greg in position to win later.

Then again, what Hinault did in 1986 i thought was unconscionable. AFter promising he would work for Greg, trying to win it. Not to defend LA in 2009, but at least he didn't go into the Tour promising to work for Bert.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

From a neutral point of view I think he got a bit jealous of armstrong.

Seriously, why would LeMond be jealous of LA?


I met LeMond during his racing career, what was noticeable was how intense and switched on he was.
I have only seen that in 3 other riders that I have met and of course one of those is Armstrong (Kelly & Cav being the others). All were quite friendly, professional and yet you were also aware that they were also checking you out and if you were 'against' them they would kill you.

I don't get this fixation on either riders personalities.
Is the argument LeMond is a slightly nicer determined, focused and ruthless individual?

 

[JRTinMA]

Of course this only got worse after Armstrong told a table full of people he was going to call John Burke and bury Greg, then proceeded to do just that. This was followed by the hiring of a PR company whose job it was to smear Greg.

The issues between Greg and Trek were certainly enhanced by LA's behavior. If you think he created the issues you don't know ****.

 

[Race Radio]

The issues between Greg and Trek were certainly enhanced by LA's behavior. If you think he created the issues you don't know ****.

Certainly, There were also actions by Stapleton and Burke as well that were questionable. Maybe you should open another thread to discuss it?

Back on topic. leMond, Superbagneres, 1986, Greg wins the stage and takes the Jersey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUqkRHbbdpc

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

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Thanks for posting that clip. While I've seen the race many times, I've never seen that particular version. Greg later said that Andy helped him win the Tour on that day (though Greg did not take the Jersey then, still :40 back).

Wish the Tour would go back to Superbaneres, what a spectacular climb.

 

[Race Radio]

Thanks for posting that clip. While I've seen the race many times, I've never seen that particular version. Greg later said that Andy helped him win the Tour on that day (though Greg did not take the Jersey then, still :40 back).

Wish the Tour would go back to Superbaneres, what a spectacular climb.

Doh! you are right

I climbed Superbang last summer. It is a tough climb and a amazing view at the top.

 

[Velo Dude]

I believe that's a misconception. The only reason GL was close to Hinault on the GC is because he went on an escape in one stage and Bernard worked to control the peloton (can you imagine LA controlling the peloton so someone on his team could take 2d? next question). The idea was to solidify Greg's second spot. True, Greg was ordered to hang back at one point on a later stage when he might have gapped BH enough to win the GC, and IMO that was kind of irrational of the team, because either way they were going to get 1-2. From an unselfish team point of view, what did it matter who was first and who was second? But that earlier escape is what put Greg in position to win later.

Then again, what Hinault did in 1986 i thought was unconscionable. AFter promising he would work for Greg, trying to win it. Not to defend LA in 2009, but at least he didn't go into the Tour promising to work for Bert.

You may be right. Truth be told, I only remember the stage where they told Greg to wait for Hinault, and supposedly kept telling him he was coming right up, when in fact he was minutes behind (or something like that).

I agree with you about '86, which showed Hinault's true colors and practically traumatized Lemond.

 

[Oldman]

Certainly, There were also actions by Stapleton and Burke as well that were questionable. Maybe you should open another thread to discuss it?

Back on topic. leMond, Superbagneres, 1986, Greg wins the stage and takes the Jersey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUqkRHbbdpc

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

Those guys obviously didn't know that if they upped their cadence by 20 rpm they could go faster....I like the real racing.

 

[ultimobici]

Jonathan Boyer actually got there before Greg did, but the two didn't get along, at all. Greg even openly racing against Boyer in the Worlds without denying it. Considering what's since been revealed about Greg's youth, and Boyer's adulthood, it's easy to see severe cross-currents running when the two got in the same proximity.

From what I have read, there was no team from the US at the worlds in those days. Instead it was a group of individuals who happened to be on the same jersey as each other. Lemond apparently had to fund his own travel, mechanic & soigneur for the Worlds in the 80's.

Boyer was an oddball by all accounts, never really fitting in with his teams in Europe. Indeed, the only contract with a european team that lasted more than one season was Sem from 82-85.

But Lemond's career will always have a massive "what if?" hanging over it. What if 87 & 88 hadn't been wiped out? What if EPO hadn't come along?

His frankness in interviews during his career, when judged by today's standards of media savviness, can be construed as foolish or naive. But I think he was just open & honest, something that is a very rare commodity these days.

His career, even with the shooting incident interruption, is an outstanding one by any measure. Armstrong's subsequent "Cancer Survivor Wins Tour" story in a much much more media hungry era did somewhat overshadow his trailblazing path. But, in the end, he did pretty much all of it first and as a bonus there isn't a question mark hanging over any of it. History will always show him as the first US winner Tour, first US World Road Champion & so far the winner with the slimmest margin of victory.

Way to go, Greg!

 

[Race Radio]

From what I have read, there was no team from the US at the worlds in those days. Instead it was a group of individuals who happened to be on the same jersey as each other. Lemond apparently had to fund his own travel, mechanic & soigneur for the Worlds in the 80's.

Boyer was an oddball by all accounts, never really fitting in with his teams in Europe. Indeed, the only contract with a european team that lasted more than one season was Sem from 82-85.

You are correct, there was no team. In fact Greg made it clear before hand that if they could not agree on a strategy then they were going to ride as individuals.

The idea that Greg prevented Boyer from winning the Worlds is a myth. Greg "chased" Boyer for 12 seconds when it was clear Boyer was fading fast and there was no way he was going to win. In fact I doubt anyone could have beat Saronni that day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjZnpXZ9MP4