Lance now Astana team leader...

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

No, I get to trash 3 week fanboys who know fuck all about the sport. Get your facts straight.

you have confirmed one thing....

you are a punk

 

[mambo#5]

Well, you know what it is... I'm about the same age (35). I've been riding/racing since I'm 20, been following racing & the Tour since about '93/'94. I can honestly say that in the 15 years or so that I've been in the sport, Lance has done more to promote cycling in the USA than anyone else.

I can remember riding in the mid '90s and getting NO respect from motorists (i.e. having crap thrown at you on the road, being heckled, etc.). Granted, some of that still goes on but not to the degree that it used to. And Lance gets some credit for that...

Enthusiasm for cycling in general has dwindled since '05... and now it's getting another 'lift".

So yes, I'm glad that he's racing and I'd love to see him win... If nothing else but to say that an 'old guy''s still got it. Whether or not he can pull it of remains to be seen.

Until Lance, the tour was a footnote of the sports section. Greg Lemond sparked some interest but nowhere near what Lance achieved.

 

[aermet]

The tour WILL be decided among the Astana boys. Wow, I can almost visualize Alberto, Lance and Levi all waving their hands from the podium with the Champs Elysee in the background.

I sure hope that that's not what's going to happen. It's a great display of domination but in the end not so good for the sport.

TFF, I tend to agree with you on your points but why berate others and their opinions just because they have a low post count or are new? Wouldn't it be better to stay out of the insult game? Frankly, I don't care who can or can't beat whom. Just because someone can turn pedals doesn't mean they are any good as a tactician or are qualified to comment on others' tactics and vice versa.
LA is a phenomenal rider both physically and tactically, and put in the hours on his bike like no one's business-and deserved to win his tours and I can still think that he lives behind a projected facade nor is a person of high character.

Boy, I hope he does not ever get into politics. He will be very polarizing and if we think Bush and his staff were a dictatorship, we better watch out then.

 

[schnebit]

Until Lance, the tour was a footnote of the sports section. Greg Lemond sparked some interest but nowhere near what Lance achieved.

So true! I remember seeing Greg Lemond's picture at Taco Bell when I was a kid.

I remember the ITT in '94 when Miguel Indurain passed Lance like he was standing still...

I also remember sitting at the Miami airport back in '99, coming home from my honeymoon and my friend calling me up to say that Lance won the Tour. I almost fell out of my seat, because I remeber how much he was talked up in '94 & '95 as the 'next Greg Lemond' and him never coming good. I remember '96 being 'the year' that he was going to do well in the TdF... and then getting diagnosed with Cancer.

So yeah, I'm a fan...

 

[byu123]

No, I get to trash 3 week fanboys who know fuck all about the sport. Get your facts straight.

you have confirmed one thing....

you are a punk

Nah! ThoughtForFood is alright. I completely disagree with him on "that older guy on Astana" and his distorted assessment of rules of evidence in court and legal procedure . . . But, he's got some class which is masked on first impression by his vulgar mouth. You just have to get to know him. Stick around . . . lock horns with TFF on cycling issues for awhile . . . you'll see that TFF is OK.

Besides he is in the midst of serious mourning at this moment. What with the "older guy on Astana" a fraction of a second away from wearing yellow. We may need to start a charity fund for grief counseling.

When the "race of truth" begins at the mountain top finish at Arcalis all of the real players in this years Tour will lay their cards on the table for all to see. Once that hand is played its a matter of stamina for 3 weeks and staying out of trouble as to whether top hand ultimately wins. Until then I wouldn't bet the farm on anyone.

 

[Anonymous]

you have confirmed one thing....

you are a punk

And you are a 3 week wonder soon to be gone.

Thanks BYU, I am a punk though. I kind of like being a punk. Guess its all that Minutemen and Dead Kennedys I listened to in the 80's?

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

And you are a 3 week wonder soon to be gone.

Thanks BYU, I am a punk though. I kind of like being a punk. Guess its all that Minutemen and Dead Kennedys I listened to in the 80's?

I have been reading this forum for years, just had enough of the Lance bashing and decided to post. It doesn't take much to see that you are a foul mouthed punk , that much is clear.

Having raced against Lance and many others , I first met him when he was 18 and I was 26. He came off brash but backed it up. Having ridden with many world champions on the track and 2 on the road, Lance possessed something special. The utter desire to destroy people. Having been a US Marine I admired that trait in him. Difference is he has always been able to back it up.

I have lost 4 women in our family to cancer and I applaud Lance for his own personal battle and for helping others get through it. I know his book helped one of my sister in laws through hers.

Flame on now, I know you will

 

[Anonymous]

I have been reading this forum for years, just had enough of the Lance bashing and decided to post. It doesn't take much to see that you are a foul mouthed punk , that much is clear.

Having raced against Lance and many others , I first met him when he was 18 and I was 26. He came off brash but backed it up. Having ridden with many world champions on the track and 2 on the road, Lance possessed something special. The utter desire to destroy people. Having been a US Marine I admired that trait in him. Difference is he has always been able to back it up.

I have lost 4 women in our family to cancer and I applaud Lance for his own personal battle and for helping others get through it. I know his book helped one of my sister in laws through hers.

Flame on now, I know you will

Really? The forum just started this year. You are not only a professional cyclist who rode at the top level, but you also time travel. Wow, I am impressed with this one.

I have known more people with cancer than I care to list. I don't share your opinion of him regardless. Cancer can be fought and cancer patients can receive help even if Lance doesn't ride a bike. In fact, I would suggest that because of the somewhat poor manner the LAF is run, there are much better places for all of that money to go.

Sorry that when you come swinging at someone, they don't roll over and buy your line. I have been around awhile and seen all of your bullsh!t before. I have even seen it done much better. They should just give you guys numbers instead of actual screen names....

 

[byu123]

I have been reading this forum for years, just had enough of the Lance bashing and decided to post. It doesn't take much to see that you are a foul mouthed punk , that much is clear.

Having raced against Lance and many others , I first met him when he was 18 and I was 26. He came off brash but backed it up. Having ridden with many world champions on the track and 2 on the road, Lance possessed something special. The utter desire to destroy people. Having been a US Marine I admired that trait in him. Difference is he has always been able to back it up.

I have lost 4 women in our family to cancer and I applaud Lance for his own personal battle and for helping others get through it. I know his book helped one of my sister in laws through hers.

Flame on now, I know you will

+1 Right on! In an overly politicaly correct metrosexualized society where in your face competition is frowned upon ("gee we all have to be winners so no ones feelings are hurt") "that old guy on Astana's" tenacity/Eye of the Tiger is something to be admired. Obviously a US Marine "gets it" when it comes to competition/fighting in the "real world".

+1 on the Livestrong foundation as well. My Mom died of cancer last year.

 

[Mellow Velo]

I have been reading this forum for years, just had enough of the Lance bashing and decided to post. Having been a US Marine I admired that trait in him.

Must have been quiet back then.
Being an ex-marine, I'd guess you know who you can tell that to.

 

[byu123]

Must have been quiet back then.
Being an ex-marine, I'd guess you know who you can tell that to.

Hey you sh!t for brains scum sucking terd! Did you seriously mock the US Marines?!

 

[Cobblestones]

+1 on the Livestrong foundation as well. My Mom died of cancer last year.

My mother is a cancer survivor since 1969. I remember it well. It was tough going for a time.

In 1969 LA was just a wet stain in someone's underpants.

I win.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Hey you sh!t for brains scum sucking terd! Did you seriously mock the US Marines?!

No. I seriously mocked a guy for getting caught out in a lie.
Lay off the Landis patches, Rambo.
Now, where's my ignore list?

 

[BikeCentric]

When the "race of truth" begins at the mountain top finish at Arcalis all of the real players in this years Tour will lay their cards on the table for all to see.

FYI BYU, the "race of truth" in cycling parlance is a term used to describe the Individual Time Trial only; does not apply to mass start mountain top finish stages. I get what you are trying to say but your terminology is incorrect. But you are right that the mountains will reveal the truth, they always do.

 

[BikeCentric]

I have been reading this forum for years, just had enough of the Lance bashing and decided to post. It doesn't take much to see that you are a foul mouthed punk , that much is clear.

Having raced against Lance and many others , I first met him when he was 18 and I was 26. He came off brash but backed it up. Having ridden with many world champions on the track and 2 on the road, Lance possessed something special. The utter desire to destroy people. Having been a US Marine I admired that trait in him. Difference is he has always been able to back it up.

I have lost 4 women in our family to cancer and I applaud Lance for his own personal battle and for helping others get through it. I know his book helped one of my sister in laws through hers.

Flame on now, I know you will

Wow an ex Marine who is also a Cat 2 and raced against Lance and lost 4 women to cancer and read the forum before it existed! Why not just go for broke and just tell us you raised the flag on Iwo Jima?

 

[Anonymous]

Yea, the whole "Lance can't be disliked because he had cancer" is just complete bullsh!t. My experience with people with cancer is both very personal and very extensive. I don't go around wearing it on my sleeve because it is disrespectful. Lance Armstrong is not the savior to cancer sufferers. He is not the cure for cancer. His foundation is OK, bu there are many others much better and more beneficial to cancer patients on a real level. I worked for one.

Yes, the idea of him inspires people with cancer, but to suggest that without HIM being the inspiration, droves of them would be left to die alone with nobody caring about them or their disease is pure bullsh!t. The idea that without LAF, the fight against cancer might be lost is bullsh!t.

Again, you wanna compare first hand accounts with cancer, I am willing to take the Pepsi challenge. Cancer research and help for cancer patients would be no less well done without Mr Armstrong riding a bike and having a charity. It was done well before he came on the scene, and it will after he leaves.

 

[BikeCentric]

Lance possessed something special. The utter desire to destroy people. Having been a US Marine I admired that trait in him.

Yah dude in cycling we drop people; UFC discussion boards are that way --->

 

[byu123]

Yes, the idea of him inspires people with cancer, but to suggest that without HIM being the inspiration, droves of them would be left to die alone with nobody caring about them or their disease is pure bullsh!t. The idea that without LAF, the fight against cancer might be lost is bullsh!t.

I don't disagree with any of this. I simply suggested that to put time and effort into the fight against cancer is admirable. He is just one voice of many, albeit an influential one. Lots of other very rich athletes squander their time, money, fame on utterly worthless pursuits post-retirement. Whether his foundation is the most efficient or not, I don't know??

 

[byu123]

Yah dude in cycling we drop people; UFC discussion boards are that way --->

Gee . . . this is an interesting angle . . . mock the US Marines. If you want to pursue that on this thread be my guest. You simply will be regarded as an a$$ and a d!ck head by 90% here.

 

[workingclasshero]

Gee . . . this is an interesting angle . . . mock the US Marines. If you want to pursue that on this thread be my guest. You simply will be regarded as an a$$ and a d!ck head by 90% here.

wtf. who cares if someone has a laugh about some marines

 

[Publicus]

Gee . . . this is an interesting angle . . . mock the US Marines. If you want to pursue that on this thread be my guest. You simply will be regarded as an a$$ and a d!ck head by 90% here.

I think you are putting WAY too much on this. Your job doesn't make you immune to being considered or acting like an ar$e or d!ck.

 

[Franklin]

..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)

Now I'm an old coot who is perfectly clear on the bad things Mr Armstrong did to our sport. Yes fans, he did the sport real damage and that is even without him being guilty (or not) of doping. The Bassons/Simeoni incidents are extremely akward.

But.. there are a few things that actually would favor a "Lance is back" outlook. From a top ten Giro rider (he got twelth, but he was there all the time) he manages now to be ex-aequo for Yellow. Now that can be luck/experience, whatever, but you got to have the legs to proof that.

The Spartacus argument is disengenious. A few examples why it doesn't stick:
- I saw Cav leading his team over the line as well, will he drop Lance in the mountains?
- Cadel pulled his team to pieces in the end, will he drop lance in the mountains?
- AC didn't do long pulls, so he looses out to Spartacus as well?
- The Schlecks should now be relegated to domestique duties?

TFF, I generally agree with you and respect you, but this is quite simply not correct. You can not completely compare Spartacus (the world #1 TT specialist) against Lance, because quite frankly if you follow this reasoning to the logical conclusion Spartacus will win the TdF.. and that is at least a year to early imho.

Then on form.. if Lance is tapering (which he almost certainly is) his performance in the Giro can be seen as a step up towards the TdF. A month of to recuperate, wich could generate "supercompensation" due to him being relatively undertrained. Even without dope (and who believes there is no dope is a tool) this can foreseeable give us a stronger Lance than in the Giro. Given that differences at this level are relatively low that could indicate that Lance is not just a pushover. Note that he seems to have a consistent higher level than in the Giro.. anyones guess if that also translates to his climbing, but it seems reasonably likely that he will not "drop as a fly".

As you said Friday will show it for sure, and I still count on AC, but poohpoohing Lance is tricky.

This is conjecture, but I had to play the devils advocate here as I disagree with some of you thought-trains^^



Oh and Byu, nice of you to defend our incumbent marine, but it's not very likable to say you destroy people, I doubt that it's a motto of the US Army (Didn't they want to help the Iraqis). It's also not very agreeable with some scripture parts, but who am I...

 

[byu123]

Your job doesn't make you immune to being considered or acting like an ar$e or d!ck.

Of course not. There are jerks in every organization. The subtle but clear suggestion was that because he was an "ex-marine" he was less than astute. It was an attack not on him the person, but the fact that he belonged to an organization such as the US Marines.

 

[Publicus]

Of course not. There are jerks in every organization. The subtle but clear suggestion was that because he was an "ex-marine" he was less than astute. It was an attack not on him the person, but the fact that he belonged to an organization such as the US Marines.

Ok. Well I guess it is your wont.

On another totally unrelated note: I just noticed that it was Alberto that hit the gas and dropped Popo in the last 2 or 3KM. For a little guy he has one hell of a motor.

 

[BikeCentric]

Gee . . . this is an interesting angle . . . mock the US Marines. If you want to pursue that on this thread be my guest. You simply will be regarded as an a$$ and a d!ck head by 90% here.

What makes you think I'm mocking the Marines? Don't put words in my mouth or set up straw men thanks.