Amsterhammer,
The reason that these is a lot of vitriol against Lance is that he consistently ruined every TdF he participated in and made the sport a total turn off for real fans who might otherwise be inclined to stick around.
I have raced for several years at elite amateur level in Europe and I have rarely met a rider with any respect for LA, yet I often come across uninformed "fans" who only follow the tour droning on about how wonderful he is. Most young racers are looking more to athletes we can almost dare to believe in, like EBH and Cavendish than the old heads like LA who represent an era af pharmaceutical achievements and fraud not sporting glory.
The fact is in 1999 cycling had a chance to clean up after the disgraceful events of 98 and instead LA (retrospectively) tested positive for EPO 6 times during his win in that race.
Now he is back, and already his narcissism and unrivalled ego are turning many long term cycling fans and participants away from their sport. He is the worst sort of angry alpha male, and his treatment of individuals such as Simeoni and Bassons, and any ex-teammate or staff member who doesn't tow the "Lance Legend" line is morally unacceptable. I also find his manipulation of the fight against cancer for his own legitimacy and financial gain absolutely sickening.
I have ridden hundreds of criteriums, classics and stage races in Europe, and devoted the best part of my twenties to this wonderful sport. If LA is allowed to win the TdF this year I will throw my bikes in the river, burn my license and never ride again. It means that much to me that the sport i love so much moves on from this shameful era.