I supported Lance Armstrong until...

[trailrunner]

How is it that such inane journalism gets foisted on the American cycling community? It's as if the site wants to make reality what it envisions should be the fortuitous outcome of this sordid case, to excuse it’s ridiculous and idiotic positions through a "happy ending." Well I say fock off! Speak for yourselves.

I wouldn't use the word "journalism" in the same sentence as road or mountain bike action. I tried to read mountain bike action a long time ago, in the mid-90s. MBA reminded me of Teen Beat meets mountain biking. When RBA came out, I picked up one issue at Borders and put it back down within 30 seconds. IIRC, MBA was part of the Peterson Group, which had lots of hot rod and automotive magazines. They were primarily selling products and space for advertising, and avoided controversy (easy to do when you don't have any real articles).

 

[rhubroma]

I wouldn't use the word "journalism" in the same sentence as road or mountain bike action. I tried to read mountain bike action a long time ago, in the mid-90s. MBA reminded me of Teen Beat meets mountain biking. When RBA came out, I picked up one issue at Borders and put it back down within 30 seconds. IIRC, MBA was part of the Peterson Group, which had lots of hot rod and automotive magazines. They were primarily selling products and space for advertising, and avoided controversy (easy to do when you don't have any real articles).

Ok, and I completely agree. But evidently there's a market for it, which is shocking.

 

[Fausto's Schnauzer]

I IIRC, MBA was part of the Peterson Group, which had lots of hot rod and automotive magazines.

MBA and RBA are under the HiTorque banner, along with Motocross Action and a few other mags. Petersen was Bicycle Guide and MTB (later changed to "Mountain Biker.")

 

[thehog]

MBA and RBA are under the HiTorque banner, along with Motocross Action and a few other mags. Petersen was Bicycle Guide and MTB (later changed to "Mountain Biker.")

Any idea who owns Busty Babes publication?

 

[Cancellator]

About 4 years ago, I had to write an essay for my SAT (chasing the dream of going to an American university that, sadly, never came to be). The topic was a person I admired, my role model. I think you can guess who I wrote about. I wasn't even really a cycling fan back then, but what I liked about him can be summed up by this clip: http://vimeo.com/1301366

Looking back, it sounds a bit silly. But for 17 year old me, it was inspirational. When I actually became interested in cycling, things changed and I learned you can't just trust every nice story...

I think the last line in that clip bears a lot more weight today than Lance initially intended:

"I'm sure this decision won't haunt you forever."

 

[Master50]

I saw La Race at 18 and pretty much took a dislike to him early. He was cocky and arrogant except that he delivered. He was crazy aggressive and hugely talented then. He was a demonstrably superior rider so it was never that hard to believe he was talented enough to win a tour. I knew some of the people that went into and out of the team and some of them were the best I knew in the sport so he seemed believable. Once the allegations started I payed attention but I am a rules and process guy so I wanted a smoking gun. While the case is still lacking that smoking gun it is obvious where all the smoke is from and the USADA reasoned decision has closed the door on any doubts I had. The other aspects of LA have dominated. While he did work hard, he also took shortcuts. So you could say I was willing to accept his escape from justice until I read the USADA report and I am now satisfied that what ever he gets now he earned.

 

[Father Jack]

I cheered for him when he came back in 1998, thought his 4th at the Vuelta was amazing. I found the 1999 tour win surprising but with no Pantani or Ullrich and the Passage de Gois (sp) incident seemed to explain it. After that I could not believe.

Same as Wiggins winning this year on a tailor made course with no competition - explainable but if he wins next year hmmmm different story.

FJ

 

[compete_clean]

Mt. Ventoux 2000.

He "gave" the stage to Pantani?? Really? What clean rider would ever give a win to a known doper?

Answer: no one.


I knew immediately he was a doper when that happened.

 

[thehog]

Mt. Ventoux 2000.

He "gave" the stage to Pantani?? Really? What clean rider would ever give a win to a known doper?

Answer: no one.


I knew immediately he was a doper when that happened.

He have another stage away in that Tour putting the breaks on to give it up.

 

[Kennf1]

Big time fan 'til about 2004 (maybe even '05?). You'd think I would have turned when the Ferrari news broke, but those Nike commercials were just so damned good.

 

[Race Radio]

........1989

 

[AcademyCC]

........1989

Race Radio if you dont mind - i get you called him early doors but when was the first time you actually sat back and went - that's too much im going to have to go on the attack with this situation?

 

[guilder]

A very believable rumor circulating back in 1983 was that every one of America's top cyclists was paid to do an extremely efficient new performance enhancing pharmaceutical. Low and behold (in hindsight) EPO was in trials the same year. What better (and obscure) group of athletes to tout this wonder drug on than cyclists?
I won't mention names so not to spoil the scapegoating of Armstrong for all of cycling's woes.

 

[Benotti69]

a future T-shirt


ps nicked from raceradio twitter

 

[bastigon]

That frontpage is a classic. I hope you can buy it online.

 

[Gubby Allen]

When he chased Simeoni down in 2004, I became suspicious of his doping. That just didn't make sense unless he was trying to hide something. When Landis came out, I saw the light. Up until then, I was more or less a believer.

Never did like the guy though. Always seemed like a humorless jerk. In retrospect, I completely underestimated what a complete, and destructive, a-hole he really was.

Exactly the same. That wasn't necessarily the moment I decided he was a cheat but it was then I realised he was a nasty sod and I had no interest in his books or words anymore.

Once I was disliking him, then I suppose I was looking for the worst.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I don't care that this isn't the best time to be praising Mr. Armstrong, but this is still great.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

As i said many times here, i KNEW it from the start (1999-TdF that is for me) that he is a doper. During the stage to Sestriere the german reporter talked about a guy who survived cancer, but was tested positive and had a (backdated) paper for it. After Festina i said to myself. Geez, let this unknown cancer survivor have his stage win. He´ll be history in one week anyway. I didn´t took that guy serious at all. Just tought, wait for next year you´ll be crushed as early as the 1st ITT by Ullrich, and no 7 mins time gaining on some "water passages" on a flat stage.

I couldn´t be more wrong as the year 2000 showed, the year i started to hate him for his obvious pi$$.ing on any rules. Here was an obscure guy who beat Ullrich, the man who was about to win 10 TdF, by 6 mins. It wasn´t a question if he doped, no, it was a question what crazy monster stuff he took compared to others. That year i made the bet with a close friend: "This guy won´t live in 10 years, he seems to §h.it on everything (health, consequences, the tomorrow). He seems to care for nothing, not himself, not the rules, nobody. He seems to know he is dying soon anyway, so he takes everything what the "book of dope" has to offer".

I lost my bet, but still am happy since a few days. The world found out what i know since 13 years. It´s a relief for me. He took us all for fools. That was hurting so much each summer, that i was even thinking about to go to france and take him off his bike in front of the cameras up Alpe d Huez. Thanks god i didn´t do such stupid thing, otherwise may some LA fanatic would have shoot me for revenge.

Sweet Victory now.

 

[JMBeaushrimp]

As i said many times here, i KNEW it from the start (1999-TdF that is for me) that he is a doper.
Sweet Victory now.

Ditto. His obvious doping after the 'Festina Affair' (which made me think that something was finally getting done about doping), was enough for me to not watch The Tour for most of a decade.

Good ridance to bad garbage...

 

[Race Radio]

Race Radio if you dont mind - i get you called him early doors but when was the first time you actually sat back and went - that's too much im going to have to go on the attack with this situation?

1989. Long story. That year I had dropped out of college to race Tri's full time as there was some money in it, I had a background in cycling and running, and there was little real competition. He suddenly shows up to races thick and crazy musculature. Not Normal for a 18 year old kid......And he was a jackass. That might also have been the year he soloed for most of the Moscow WC.

After that he went full time with the National Team. It was toxic back then.

I had friends on USPS who told me early on about the "Science Experiment" it had become. I lived and raced in Europe as a junior. I was well aware of what the sport was about, also had a teammate who became a dealer. Told me all about EPO in early 1994

 

[D-Queued]

June 1993. Thrift Drug Triple Crown $1 million.

Possible, but not probable. Even at the time, the most logical route to the win was to pay off the competition. Not surprisingly, this is exactly what he did.

At the USPRO championship, Armstrong sat up on his bicycle on the final lap, took out a comb, combed his hair and smiled for the cameras.

That is a lot of arrogance.

Then, soloing away on Indurain in Oslo that September when he couldn't get past Stage 12 of the Tour?

Not probable or even possible without a little help.

Dave.

 

[Carlo Algatrensig]

He have another stage away in that Tour putting the breaks on to give it up.

Was it the opening time trial to Millar or was it the stage to Hautacam to Otxoa?

Those are the only ones I can think of where he could have given up the stage win from a potentially winning position.

 

[snackattack]

I don't care that this isn't the best time to be praising Mr. Armstrong, but this is still great.

There's always time to praise A-1

He's cyclings biggest advocate and always will be,"

 

[Richeypen]

Just something from the start of the video, I used to love listening to that music by Pete Shelley growing up watching the Tour on Channel 4. I think there was even a petition online to even get it back. They should bring it back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=243BJu0zB50&feature=related

Thought the same thing. Love that music, just screams Tour de France

 

[jam pants]

A very believable rumor circulating back in 1983 was that every one of America's top cyclists was paid to do an extremely efficient new performance enhancing pharmaceutical. Low and behold (in hindsight) EPO was in trials the same year. What better (and obscure) group of athletes to tout this wonder drug on than cyclists?
I won't mention names so not to spoil the scapegoating of Armstrong for all of cycling's woes.

Tell us more, grandpa! Any stories with magical flying dogs or talking pigs?