Lance sure blows as a team mate.

[ManInFull]

If you think what Lance is doing is "disgraceful" (to what? humanity?), I guess you must live your life like Mother Theresa.

Your arrogance, sense of your own higher character, and ecclesiastical self-righteousness, Ryo Hazuki, is a supreme disgrace to humanity, the universe, and all of existence.

We choose to separate Lance the inspirational person/cancer fundraiser from Lance the doping, 7-time TdF winner.

 

[armstrong]

Ah, I think AC came in second on that stage and he gained 10 seconds on AS. Vino won the next day's stage. Astana is there to win the GC, not just a damn stage win. They are not changing/altering their marketing strategy like RS--because RS's main goal has imploded.

Don't forget this--from 1999-2005 the guys on Lance's team were slaves for him. They only worked for him. I don't even think that a teammate won a stage until 2004 or 2005. That's how Lance ran things. Maybe AC wanted the same thing and Lance joining the team screwed that up? If it was OK for Lance, why couldn't that work for AC?

It's all about perspective.

That's fine. But Lance gave some stages away (e.g. to Pantini). He also wanted Hincapie to win a stage, but took it from Kloden (no gifts).

Anyways, you bring up good points, but I don't ever recall LA attacking his own teammate who was set for a stage win.

 

[armstrong]

Anways, I'm just going to say that the LA bashers here are being a bit carried away. LA has been described as a "laughing stock", and his conduct this year, "disgraceful".

I mean really. He's a 38 year old 7 time winner participating in his last TdF. He obviously isn't winning the race - but it's like saying Jack Niklaus not making the cut in his last US Open, is a disgraceful show of golf.

Give me a break.

 

[ManInFull]

That's fine. But Lance gave some stages away (e.g. to Pantini). He also wanted Hincapie to win a stage, but took it from Kloden (no gifts).

Anyways, you bring up good points, but I don't ever recall LA attacking his own teammate who was set for a stage win.

You are not very bright, are you? He never attacked because he NEVER allowed them to get in position for a stage win until 2004 or 2005. And Hincappie won a mountain stage in 2005; Lance "took" a win from Kloden in 2004 when Lance had wanted Floyd Landis to win the stage.

The point is that Alberto had every right to demand a team that worked only for him. Lance never stood a chance of beating AC last year. As a matter of fact, AC likely would have been more dominant had he had a team that was really working for a single goal--MJ for AC.

It's all about perspective, Lance Fanboy.

 

[BroDeal]

BTW - LA came back last year. For those who may have forgotten, he raced a pretty good race.

LOL. WIgans thought he raced a pretty good race last year also. This year he found out that it was because of a team time trial, a soft course, and an even softer pace. My granny could have taken third last year.

 

[eztarget]

Man there is a lot of hate for LA here.

 

[armstrong]

My granny could have taken third last year.

Then why didn't she? It's cause she couldn't. And neither could all the people in the world except for AS and AC.

 

[BroDeal]

Man there is a lot of hate for LA here.

That is bound to happen for someone who is a doper, a liar, and a fraud.

 

[Benotti69]

If you think what Lance is doing is "disgraceful" (to what? humanity?), I guess you must live your life like Mother Theresa.

actually LA and mother theresa are very similar, both big frauds. both received millions in the name of their personal charity but where has the money gone???

 

[eztarget]

That is bound to happen for someone who is a doper, a liar, and a fraud.

Is this Greg or Floyd?

When there is proof I'll join your side. LA clearly is an arrogant pr*ck but a damn good bike rider in his prime (which he is clearly past). I really wish he had stayed retired.

 

[armstrong]

You are not very bright, are you? He never attacked because he NEVER allowed them to get in position for a stage win until 2004 or 2005.

He didn't allow them to.

So how would you characterize the race with Vino losing by 8 seconds? Vino, afterall, was in front, until Alberto dragged the eventual winner up to beat him.

Anyways - you're right. LA had his team going for him during the USPS years.

But what about that race with Vino? At the very least, you'd have to admit it was somewhat odd tactically.

 

[armstrong]

actually LA and mother theresa are very similar, both big frauds. both received millions in the name of their personal charity but where has the money gone???

Obviously MT pocketed all of hers.

 

[Cobber]

Laughing stock? Whatever.

BTW - LA came back last year. For those who may have forgotten, he raced a pretty good race.

As for AC, didn't he attack Vino a couple days ago only to see Vino lose the stage to someone else by 8 seconds?

Yes, but last year there wasn't a non-UCI organization supervising the drug testing. It's tough racing with with the big boys when you aren't able to fill up the tank!

 

[eztarget]

Yes, but last year there wasn't a non-UCI organization supervising the drug testing. It's tough racing with with the big boys when you aren't able to fill up the tank!

Or your 13+ years older than most of them. LA should have stayed retired. I'm 42 and clearly can't play sports like I used to when I was 27. And when I do play something it takes me days to recover instead of hours.

 

[BroDeal]

Or your 13+ years older than most of them. LA should have stayed retired. I'm 42 and clearly can't play sports like I used to when I was 27. And when I do play something it takes me days to recover instead of hours.

You should see Dr. Ferrari. He'll fix you right up.

 

[Bag_O_Wallet]

He didn't allow them to.

So how would you characterize the race with Vino losing by 8 seconds? Vino, afterall, was in front, until Alberto dragged the eventual winner up to beat him.
...

What was Vino's reaction? Had he know Contador was coming across, he said he would have eased up so he could pull for AC.

 

[armstrong]

What was Vino's reaction? Had he know Contador was coming across, he said he would have eased up so he could pull for AC.

Well, that says more about Vino's sense of teammanship than about AC's doesn't it?

 

[HL2037]

I mean really. He's a 38 year old 7 time winner participating in his last TdF. He obviously isn't winning the race - but it's like saying Jack Niklaus not making the cut in his last US Open, is a disgraceful show of golf.

Give me a break.

Lance has already had his farewell-tour once, in 2005. I don't care if he is winning or losing as long as he is honoring the race by at least making an effort. Look at Cadel Evans. He has no chance in this race anymore, still he fights everyday to limit his losses.

Look at Vacansoleil. Don't you think Brice and Roman Feillu would have loved to have the chance to give it their all on these stages? But they had to stay home to make space for Lance and his team.

And at the first sign that he won't be able to totally dominate, he loses interest completely. Sits back and talks about beer and pizza. Can't be bothered to help his teammate who is in top ten. Won't even attempt to win an etape.

It doesn't matter how old you are or how many times you won. If you are not going to take it serious, then stay home and let more motivated riders have the chance.

 

[ManInFull]

He didn't allow them to.

So how would you characterize the race with Vino losing by 8 seconds? Vino, afterall, was in front, until Alberto dragged the eventual winner up to beat him.

Anyways - you're right. LA had his team going for him during the USPS years.

But what about that race with Vino? At the very least, you'd have to admit it was somewhat odd tactically.

In my view, it was more important for AC to get the 10 seconds on AS than a stage win. And most people, other than AC haters, have admitted that Vino likely would have lost that stage even if AC had not accelerated.

 

[armstrong]

Lance has already had his farewell-tour once, in 2005. I don't care if he is winning or losing as long as he is honoring the race by at least making an effort. Look at Cadel Evans. He has no chance in this race anymore, still he fights everyday to limit his losses.

Look at Vacansoleil. Don't you think Brice and Roman Feillu would have loved to have the chance to give it their all on these stages? But they had to stay home to make space for Lance and his team.

And at the first sign that he won't be able to totally dominate, he loses interest completely. Sits back and talks about beer and pizza. Can't be bothered to help his teammate who is in top ten. Won't even attempt to win an etape.

It doesn't matter how old you are or how many times you won. If you are not going to take it serious, then stay home and let more motivated riders have the chance.

Fine, but is LA's conduct this year a disgrace? That's the issue I'm disputing.

 

[armstrong]

In my view, it was more important for AC to get the 10 seconds on AS than a stage win. And most people, other than AC haters, have admitted that Vino likely would have lost that stage even if AC had not accelerated.

He lost by what, 8 secs?

I'd say the argument can go either way.

 

[Gcraenen]

Lance has already had his farewell-tour once, in 2005. I don't care if he is winning or losing as long as he is honoring the race by at least making an effort. Look at Cadel Evans. He has no chance in this race anymore, still he fights everyday to limit his losses.

Look at Vacansoleil. Don't you think Brice and Roman Feillu would have loved to have the chance to give it their all on these stages? But they had to stay home to make space for Lance and his team.

And at the first sign that he won't be able to totally dominate, he loses interest completely. Sits back and talks about beer and pizza. Can't be bothered to help his teammate who is in top ten. Won't even attempt to win an etape.

It doesn't matter how old you are or how many times you won. If you are not going to take it serious, then stay home and let more motivated riders have the chance.

Maybe he IS trying, maybe he just doesn't have it anymore. He is after all 38.

 

[HL2037]

Fine, but is LA's conduct this year a disgrace? That's the issue I'm disputing.

What I was trying to express in my post is: Yes, LA's conduct this year is a disgrace.

I even provided arguments and examples.

 

[HL2037]

Maybe he IS trying, maybe he just doesn't have it anymore. He is after all 38.

Come on, talking and joking with teammates and rolling over the finish line 10 minutes late? That's not trying, that's quitting.

Didn't you see Evans fighting pale as a sheet from the pain of a broken elbow? That's trying.

 

[Lajeretta4Ever]

Come on, talking and joking with teammates and rolling over the finish line 10 minutes late? That's not trying, that's quitting.

Didn't you see Evans fighting pale as a sheet from the pain of a broken elbow? That's trying.

He owns the team. He can do what he wants. Levi and Company knew what they were getting into.