Lance now Astana team leader...

[anubisza]

It's way too early to talk about Lance being leader. It was one stage with cross winds, and the gap is less than a minute. He'll easily lose that in any number of mountain stages coming up.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Getting Zabel to film stage finishes is more about coaching than anything else much the same as football teams and boxers study film footage of games and fights of the opposition.

Its not about being hippocritical, it's about a young guy having a go at the opposition, lighten up. Ali used to do it all the time

It is, Cav targets sprint stages himeslf and he has even ssaid so.Then he critises garmin for trying to win the TTT. That's hipocritical to me.

 

[sampras38]

just like he was gassed when he gave the infamous look to Ulrich?

I saw an interview with LA and Paul Sherwin and Phil Liggett recently and Lance was asked about that infamous look. He said that he wasn't actually looking at Ulrich but the camera angle made it look like he was. He was actually looking past Ulrich at his team mates.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

. I don't think it will be as easy for lance this year in the mountains because since his era of winning the tour the riders are more willing to attack and they know lance is not like his 'old' self.

while you may be correct on Lance not being his "former" self, I have to disagree with you on the attacking part. Lance's teams were so dominant that the pace was so high that no one could get away by attacking. It was suicide.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

sure don't see the Lance haters on here now do you? ROFLMAO

The old Dog is sitting on the front showing them how it's done........

still think he isn't here to win?

 

[JeffreyPerry]

Now that's just a ridiculous statement based on emotion, nothing more.

Based on emotion?? You could probably put this under 90 percent of the posts in the forum...

To clarify what I was said: It appears to me from reading through the forums, everyone has an opinion on who they're favorite rider is. I'm not saying that Lance is my personal favorite (Big George for the record...), but why is there and entire thread for bashing him? What my point in saying is why bash anyone for doing what he/ she loves to do. I would guess most of the people on the forum are cyclist in one capacity or another. Maybe tomorrow I can start a thread bashing cyclist joe that rides cannondale cause there the worst bikes ever
Anyway, hope that clears things up...and yes, I will be here during the Vuelta, maybe not posting but definitely here reading....

 

[Franklin]

sure don't see the Lance haters on here now do you? ROFLMAO

The old Dog is sitting on the front showing them how it's done........

still think he isn't here to win?

The funny part about this is that the "haters" said over and over again that Lance is here for the win.

The fanbois said he would be a loyal helper for Alberto.

In other words, you got it completely and utterly backwards. The reason why the "haters" think Lance is still a contender... well... guess the "haters" have have a hunch why this extraordinary thing is happening again.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

The funny part about this is that the "haters" said over and over again that Lance is here for the win.

The fanbois said he would be a loyal helper for Alberto.

In other words, you got it completely and utterly backwards. The reason why the "haters" think Lance is still a contender... well... guess the "haters" have have a hunch why this extraordinary thing is happening again.

interesting take on it but the silence here is deafening

 

[aermet]

"...calling us 'Lance haters and pathetic' wreaks...."

"Reeks," ace, "reeks." (Related to German "riechen.")

You should consult something other than yourself before trying to correct someone. I wrote what I meant and what's correct.

 

[Parker0320]

The truth will be revealed in the mountain. Just like the infamous Hinault and Lemond rivalry. And now Lance and Contador. I'm eager to watch them chasing each other down in the alps...

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

The truth will be revealed in the mountain. Just like the infamous Hinault and Lemond rivalry. And now Lance and Contador. I'm eager to watch them chasing each other down in the alps...

Agreed
this is going to be great

 

[mambo#5]

The truth will be revealed in the mountain. Just like the infamous Hinault and Lemond rivalry. And now Lance and Contador. I'm eager to watch them chasing each other down in the alps...

There is a BIG difference that no one points out. Hinault promised Lemond to help him win the tour after Lemond basically handed it to him the previous year. Lance never promised Alberto anything, nor did Alberto handed Lance his last tour. There is no honor debt to be repaid here.

 

[aermet]

Everyone knows that in at least 6 of the 7 years (maybe not in '99), the entire US Postal and Disco teams were built around one man, and one man only. No "three-pronged attack" that T-Mobile or ONCE tried to throw at him, everything was built around Lance, and no personal aspirations were allowed. If a team member had done something like what Lance pulled today, Lance would have taken him out to the woodshed and made him sorry he'd been born. No dissension was brooked on any account. They actually said that having one designated team leader was better than having multiple leaders, as it made everyone united. Now, to hear Lance and Bruyneel spout about how it's actually better to have more than one leader, that it makes sense, just makes me laugh. Everything Lance does is self-serving, and his recent actions on and off the bike shows that. "I'm just here to have fun". Can you imagine if one of his teammates had said that back on Postal or Disco? But it's ok for him to say it now because he's Lance. THis whole thing is making Bruyneel look like a completetely ineffectual bumbler in his handling of the situation. Of course the man has directed two riders to 8 Tour wins, plus a few Giros and a Vuelta, which is why it's so bizarre seeing him sound like such a fence-straddler now.

My sentiments exactly. Later in the year, there will be no Astana as it exists now and they all know it. AC wanted out of the team a long time ago, they all know it. All the talk about the moral "sky high" and "everything is great in the team" is rubbish. I can't wait to see AC attack later. Sad thing is, I think that at that point we still won't see LA riding for whomever becomes the clear leader then.

 

[schnebit]

I have to ask.... why does it seem like most people think that Lance will be a complete slouch in the mountains, and that Contador is going to dominate him?

Look at their respective track records... While it's true that Contador won the last three grand tours that he participated in, he hardly won them in dominating fashion. With the exception of 2003, Lance won his TdF's by huge margins... most of which were gained in the mountains.

What would indicate that Lance is going to get dropped like a hot potato?

 

[Anonymous]

The funny part about this is that the "haters" said over and over again that Lance is here for the win.

The fanbois said he would be a loyal helper for Alberto.

In other words, you got it completely and utterly backwards. The reason why the "haters" think Lance is still a contender... well... guess the "haters" have have a hunch why this extraordinary thing is happening again.

Yea, that is indeed the case. In fact, if you look (on other forums considering the age of this one) some of us were saying this the day after he announced he was coming back merely to promote his foundation. It is fanboy nation that were up in arms about the mere suggestion he was not being genuine in his rhetoric.

As to wheels go rounds assertion that it is silent, far from it. However, once Contador puts the hammer down on the old man, you will indeed find a lot of posters who mysteriously disappear having only posted a handful of times. Hell, even when he was winning, they were gone the beginning of August. Just wait until he craps the bed.

 

[Anonymous]

I have to ask.... why does it seem like most people think that Lance will be a complete slouch in the mountains, and that Contador is going to dominate him?

Look at their respective track records... While it's true that Contador won the last three grand tours that he participated in, he hardly won them in dominating fashion. With the exception of 2003, Lance won his TdF's by huge margins... most of which were gained in the mountains.

What would indicate that Lance is going to get dropped like a hot potatoe?

..oh, I don't know, the Giro, his performance in the first TT, his performance in today's TT (he was a bit knackered and considering that someone like Sparticus pulled even more than did Mr Armstrong, and yet led his team over the line looking fresh, I would suggest that all of the "Lance will hang in the mountains" talk is fanciful fanboy fantasy. (man I got style)

 

[worthydog]

While LA is older and hasn't been active, no one has any reason to think he won't dominate in the mountains. Discovery/Postal was about one rider because LA was clearly the best rider on the team. That just isn't the case now. I expect Lance to prove he is the best or support the man who does.

What's with all the Lance Haters? I guess these are the same people that don't like watching Tiger or Kobe. Lance Derangement Syndrom.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

How long till it comes out that Contador is involved in doping?

 

[Publicus]

While LA is older and hasn't been active, no one has any reason to think he won't dominate in the mountains. Discovery/Postal was about one rider because LA was clearly the best rider on the team. That just isn't the case now. I expect Lance to prove he is the best or support the man who does.

What's with all the Lance Haters? I guess these are the same people that don't like watching Tiger or Kobe. Lance Derangement Syndrom.

It's not about hating Lance, it's that folks like you make these unsupported statements about Lance. We have LOTS of reasons to doubt he will dominate in the mountains: (1) he's soon to be 38, (2) out of competition for 3.5 years, (3) will not be the sole protected rider on his team (a la USPS and Disco), (4) hasn't looked like Lance of Old in his comeback-great, but not the same. What's the evidence to suggest that he can dominate in the mountains? Set aside what was prior to 2005 and explain why you expect him to prove he is the best (and I can tell you he won't ever support the better man, because he will always provide an excuse for his poor performance (see post Stage 1) and he is a FIERCE competitor). I think you would find a lot less hostility with your position if it was supported by factual observation (other than, as Lance will point out to anyone who will listen, he's a 7-time Tour champion and that has to count for something).

Definitely don't hate Lance, but I don't think he's a TEAM guy unless the TEAM is his. That's what he's used to seeing in the Tour and I think he is chaffing at the idea of not be the Man.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

..oh, I don't know, the Giro, his performance in the first TT, his performance in today's TT (he was a bit knackered and considering that someone like Sparticus pulled even more than did Mr Armstrong, and yet led his team over the line looking fresh, I would suggest that all of the "Lance will hang in the mountains" talk is fanciful fanboy fantasy. (man I got style)

When I see posts like this it confirms you have never ridden at the highest level
urine tests should be mandatory around here

 

[Anonymous]

When I see posts like this it confirms you have never ridden at the highest level
urine tests should be mandatory around here

And you have.....the interwebs are filled with people who used to ride with Lance and are just finding cycling forums. Uh....tell you what Miguel I., lets see what you have to say Friday afternoon. Lance will not cut it when the hills get serious.

 

[quadsRme]

Mods,
Is there anyway that you can create a Lance only section. Then his adorers and haters can go at it and leave the rest to the real sports fans?????

 

[worthydog]

It's not about hating Lance, it's that folks like you make these unsupported statements about Lance. We have LOTS of reasons to doubt he will dominate in the mountains: (1) he's soon to be 38, (2) out of competition for 3.5 years, (3) will not be the sole protected rider on his team (a la USPS and Disco), (4) hasn't looked like Lance of Old in his comeback-great, but not the same. What's the evidence to suggest that he can dominate in the mountains? Set aside what was prior to 2005 and explain why you expect him to prove he is the best (and I can tell you he won't ever support the better man, because he will always provide an excuse for his poor performance (see post Stage 1) and he is a FIERCE competitor). I think you would find a lot less hostility with your position if it was supported by factual observation (other than, as Lance will point out to anyone who will listen, he's a 7-time Tour champion and that has to count for something).

Definitely don't hate Lance, but I don't think he's a TEAM guy unless the TEAM is his. That's what he's used to seeing in the Tour and I think he is chaffing at the idea of not be the Man.

I don't know that LA will dominate in the mountains but I have no information to the contrary. He never treated other races as anything but training in the past so I don't put much weight on the Giro. He has also been recovering from the broken collar bone. As you say, he is a fierce competitor which will offset a good deal of his old age and rust. I think he looks pretty fit but eventually you cannot deny the effects of time. As to his ability to support another leader, since he has always been the leader, that is an unanswered question. If he cannot lead the pack, I hope is is a strong team member.

 

[Anonymous]

Mods,
Is there anyway that you can create a Lance only section. Then his adorers and haters can go at it and leave the rest to the real sports fans?????

Hey man, I understand the frustration, but the Tour de France is happening, Astana is the strongest team, there is a conflict about the leadership of the team (supposedly), Lance Armstrong is one of those people, and he is kind of a polarizing figure. Kind of makes sense that he will be current topic regardless of the cycling forum you visit, no?

 

[FFWally]

It sickens me to see Lance and his subtle verbal challenges, false promises of "whomever is strongest is team leader", "Alberto is leader" in interviews, and finally, Lance and his half of the team pulling on the front to gap off Contador when he was in the second group. That is such bad sportsmanship and goes back to the Hinault/Lemond days of Hinault promising to help Greg and then racing against him.
As if he's not had enough glory after winning so many tours. Alberto has proven himself in the very recent past as being capable of winning grand tours whereas Lance has not. To take advantage of a break like that and take pulls is low. In tours past, the entire postal/discovery team would have been driving to bring the break back.

Lance's stock has always been junk status with me but he's now descended to absolute worthlessness as a man.

Oh please, this is so not Hinault going back on a promise.

1. LeMond gave up the 85 tour he rightly should have won.
2. Hinault never would have won 5 if not for LeMond handing him the tour.
3. Hinault promised to work for Greg and never had any intention of doing that
4. Lance never won a tour that Contador should have won
5. Contador has never been dominant in his wins...period
6. Levi if anyone is owed a win by Contador.
7. Lance owes Alberto nothing...nothing
8. Alberto is weaker at the end of 3 weeks than either Lance or Levi

When Alberto asserts himself for 3 weeks and unseats Lance, Levi and Kloden, then he has earned the right to expect anything. Right now he is a paper champion.

Alberto is not a smart rider...he can not make mistakes like he did in stage 3 and expect to win, when his team has 4 who can win this tour.