So where does Lance stand in history?

[gregod]

this poll kind of reminds me of when stephen colbert asks, "george bush: great president? or the greatest president?"

even though there aren't options that indicate him fading with time or gaining infamy, i think it is safe to say he will probably fall into the same category as lemond.

from what i have read, merckx was not universally loved during his time but is now the most prominent legend of cycling. given that HWMNBN is more respected in the US, particularly by non-cycling fans, than in europe, his achievements will in the future probably be viewed as great but will have a ? giant question mark over them.

 

[palmerq]

Fair enough?

A question about where lance stands in cycling history on a cycling forum....... seems fair enough to me, don't let people troll you, if you want to discuss where lance stands in cycling terms then go for it, if not just ignore the thread, it's not difficult..


It could do with better options in the poll though

 

[Fatclimber]

What category does Big Mig go into? Their palmares are virtually equal by my analysis. Their methods are virtually equal as well. There is definitely a polarization/likability inequality but I don't see how that could factor in here.

 

[LarryBudMelman]

Awkwards question :S but its fair enough, can everyone try to leave the doping stuff for the clinic and stick to the cycling career and achievments please?

Because one has nothing to do with the other!

 

[LarryBudMelman]

A question about where lance stands in cycling history on a cycling forum....... seems fair enough to me, don't let people troll you, if you want to discuss where lance stands in cycling terms then go for it, if not just ignore the thread, it's not difficult..


It could do with better options in the poll though

Is there a "final nail in the coffin" option?

When are you guys going to add professional wrestling and bodybuilding forums?

My favorite Olympia was when Sergio beat Arnold way back when. Then Arnold went on to win 7 "Championships" also.

 

[avanti]

Perhaps Lance could have become a cycling legend if he had not concentrated on winning the TdF. I think to become a legend one has to win other grand tours, some classics, a world TT title, and attempt the hour record.

 

[palmerq]

Because one has nothing to do with the other!

yes but that can be said about many/every cyclists, so anymore of that sort of talk should be in the clinic and not here..

 

[Gloin22]

He's a legend. Why ? He's the only cyclist in the world common people know about ( not cycling fans )

 

[oncehadhair]

He's a legend. Why ? He's the only cyclist in the world common people know about ( not cycling fans )

Well known ≠ legend.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Funny Poll. It´s like asking who was the nicest african dictator.
a.) Mugabe
b.) Mobutu
c.) Idi Amin

Epic fail "Ulle relaxes"! And as someone recommended already, please change your name. It´s disgusting.

BTW, i vote for d.) (as almost everybody virtually did, as i can see when reading the posts):
Biggest cheater and liar in cycling history.

 

[baj32161]

I voted for "great" I do not put him on the order of someone like Merckx, Hinault, Anquetil, or their like. If you just include the Tour de France, then Lance's deeds are incomparable. I would have liked to see him do much more in the classics to give him "legend" status (at least in my opinion). I would not grant him "sainthood" status, in spite of his great work for cancer. Maybe it is because i take that word a bit too literally, but he has done wonderful things for cancer research, for sure.

Having said this, I have always admired Lance as a cyclist and, although I have never been an avid fan, I did root for him whenever he did race. I also do not consider the doping allegations when I think of his accomplishments. That belongs in another thread.

Lance was a GREAT rider and the ultimate Tour de France rider. I suppose he falls between great and legend for me. He falls short of Merckx and the others and a bit higher than LeMond (of whom I am a HUGE fan) and Poulidor and their ilk. In such cases, I tend to bump down, rather than up.

Sorry for the long-winded (handed) post.

Cheers,

Brian J.

 

[veganrob]

I vote F fuqing, fraud

 

[JA.Tri]

Bemusing/amusing

I cannot objectively judge LA's position if any in the pantheon of cycling's elite.

No matter how many points I give him for his 7x TdF (as it currently stands/subject to possible amendment), this is offset by a number of factors:

a super team (elements of team sport, strongest team = increased PR(win)...)
factor that cannot be discussed
another factor that cannot be discussed
intimidation of fellow participants
hiring potential adversaries as "super domestiques"
focussing 1999 onwards exclusively on excellence at TdF...one dimensional post 1998

So kudos for 7TdF but the rest of the palmares is not consistent with that achievement BY a Long Straw! So it's a bit like I see a paper cut-out.

As a cyclist, ONLY, I put him in a similar category to LeMond and Poulidor. As an athlete and a participant in cycling and associated events? Pure indifference (no I lie...but my real thoughts are not a valid response to the OP).

 

[JA.Tri]

Bemusing/amusing

I cannot objectively judge LA's position if any in the pantheon of cycling's elite.

No matter how many points I give him for his 7x TdF (as it currently stands/subject to possible amendment), this is offset by a number of factors:

a super team (elements of team sport, strongest team = increased PR(win)...)
factor that cannot be discussed
another factor that cannot be discussed
intimidation of fellow participants
hiring potential adversaries as "super domestiques"
focussing 1999 onwards exclusively on excellence at TdF...one dimensional post 1998

So kudos for 7TdF but the rest of the palmares is not consistent with that achievement BY a Long Straw! So it's a bit like I see a paper cut-out.

As a cyclist, ONLY, I put him in a similar category to LeMond and Poulidor. As an athlete and a participant in cycling and associated events? Pure indifference (no I lie...but my real thoughts are not a valid response to the OP).

 

[AmateurSpirit]

True lengend!!

 

[Carlo Algatrensig]

The one thing that I'd wished Armstrong would have tried at some point in his career was to win 2 Grand Tours in the same year. Even if it had meant attempting the Tour - Vuelta double rather than the Giro - Tour double. Because of that I'm not sure I can put him as a great. He kept himself inside his comfort zone (as much as winning the tour de france can be comfortable). He and Bruyneel found "the template" to win that race as I seem to remember them describing it and just kept with it. If they'd found a way to win 2 GT's in a years or even a classic in the same year as one of his TDF wins then I would call him a great. In all honesty I actually put Contador Above Armstrong in my all time list for the simple reason that he attempted the Giro - Tour double this year and it's something Armstrong never even tried.

 

[Fowsto Cope-E]

No matter how much I dislike the guy and how focused he was on just one race, he still has the record for the most wins in the biggest race on the calender. That alone is enough to make him a legend.

 

[wirral]

Is this known as trolling?

 

[jamiephillips]

Talking of trolling, how about 2nd best North American cyclist of all time??

 

[personal]

No matter how much I dislike the guy and how focused he was on just one race, he still has the record for the most wins in the biggest race on the calender. That alone is enough to make him a legend.

No, it isn't.

 

[BillytheKid]

Armstrong will probably be remember less so than eddy merckx and other champions who did (by the rule of testing) or might have doped by cycling fans, but the general public will think him redeemed because most folks like the parts that are real. Fame reveals the warts a lot of common people have as well. It can destroy a lot of people. JL, WH, MJ, JS EH......and on and on. I hope sanity prevails in this case.

 

[oncehadhair]

Talking of trolling, how about 2nd best North American cyclist of all time??

So how does he get as high as second? (speaking of trolling)

 

[jamiephillips]

So how does he get as high as second? (speaking of trolling)

Erm. Couldn't think of any others.

 

[Pazuzu]

Lance is nothing more than a modern day Dr. Faustus.

 

[BroDeal]

Lance is nothing more than a modern day Dr. Faustus.

Nice.

Let's hope Armstrong's twenty-four years comes to an end.