The Official LANCE ARMSTRONG Thread 2010-2011

[python]

kurt,

you got it all wrong. the reason texas stays in texas has nothing ot do with
europe vs. texas routes. lance told us long ago (im serious), his preparation for the 2010 tour will stress oxygen tent over real mountains he used in 2009. he wants to sleep in his tent whilst his gf is within shouting distance. these kinds of tents are not easily transportable and in some countries they are illegal.

Got it ?

 

[MacRoadie]

With regards there not being anything to compare to Alpine climbing in the US, of course there are long climbs, and steep climbs, in the USA. It's a huge country with enormously varied topography.

On the other hand, however, it is also a country which is relatively young, and enormously spacious. This has led to a different approach in transport. Many of the Alpine, Pyrenean and Apennine passes are centuries old. They are often narrow, tricky and change gradients radically. Newer passes (take for example the Transfăgărăsăn highway in Romania for a European version, or watch the Portuguese racing up to the Alto da Torre) often have wider and/or straighter roads, which changes the way riders can and/or will race on them, in the same way as the rough, barely-used cobbles of northern France create slightly different racing from the better-kept but steeper cobbles of the Ronde van Vlaanderen. Quite often the mountains can be bypassed entirely in countries with enormous space as one of their benefits, whereas in a country like Italy there was little choice at the time of building but to build pass upon pass. The only place outside of France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain and perhaps southern Germany that has even close to the right combination of ancient and traditional mountain pass routes, road, the right altitude and weather conditions that it could possibly serve as adequate preparation for the climbs of the Tour, would be Japan.

Couldn't have said it better.

Newer roads, built with the benefit of more advanced engineering and equipment.

 

[thehog]

“A champion is also measured on how much he respects his teammates and opponents. There is no ‘i’ in ‘team’. What did I say in March? Lots to learn. Restated.”

“If you have just won the Tour for the second time and you are the king of Spain, it is normal that all stories are all right. His career has barely begun. Let us talk again in about fifteen years.”

“So many dirty things, unbelievable. Complete bull****, pieces of slime, fat lies.”

“First, this is not true. Secondly, it is easy to prove. You only have to grab the phone and call the bicycle manufacturer Trek. I understand that the Spanish media stands up for their hero, but it was so untrue what was printed. Come on, at the end of the day as a journalist, you f**king do proclaim the truth."

"eight of the nine riders who rode the Tour, have gone away. To another team. Even his roommate."

 “I would have long since looked in the mirror. I would never let that happen. Never. If I had to change myself to prevent it, then I would do that. If they needed more money, I would do it. I would do anything for them. "

"But Contador is totally different from me. It is very difficult,” the seven-time Tour winner continued. “He knows no better. He is a Spanish guy who is always in the same pueblo (district) resident. He has his friends, family, the street where he grew up, his country, his people. A great athlete like him must employ individuals who support him and have patience with him. But he is surrounded by yes-men.”

 

[python]

With regards there not being anything to compare to Alpine climbing in the US, .

ok, i'll buy that. but how does it relate to armstrong claiming he'll race more before the tour ?

america is huge and beautiful. no argument. i just don't get how it translates into what the man himself promised or claimed ?

 

[WinterRider]

Try as you might, it is getting easier and easier to spot you.

If that was meant for me you've missed the mark. BPC is thataway ---->

If it wasn't meant for me my apologies, but I scrolled up and didn't see any other noobs posting so I have to assume you mean me.

Though I'll admit you're pretty good at spotting him. I thought you were full of it the first time until after I'd had to read through another 2 pages of wasted internet, so keep up the good work.

 

[flicker]

So why not have Contador ride the tour of california 2010. Merikan bicycle manufacturer sponsor, majority spanish speaking state, SHOWDOWN POTENTIAL.+ the thought..... he may be riding for the shack next year.

 

[pmcg76]

If I recall correctly, I think Rominger spent a large chunk of time in northern California in 1993 building for the Tour. He might have tried the same in '94 as well... not sure.

You are right, he went to the US for 6 weeks with his doctor who is very famous of course. In cycling history, it was generally considered that the best way to get into top form was by racing, whether for training purposes or going for wins. This changed in that lovely era(like so many other things) the 90s where ONCE would take a month or 6 weeks en-masse to go to a training camp. Rominger done the same with access to his personal doctor and then Armstrong perfected the technique of training instead of racing. I wont point out the obvious as I dont want to break the house rules.

One thing on Armstrong and his training, one of the myths about why Ullrich never beat Armstrong was due to Jan packing on the pounds/kilos over winter whilst Lance was busy out training and staying in shape. Jan would begin the season out of shape and struggle whilst Lance was the man, ready to rev it up at any time. I didnt get into the whole 'fat Lance' thing but looking at Lance's early season, its more reminiscent of Jan's early season form than that of the guy who won 7 Tours. Shoe on the other foot.

 

[Publicus]

So why not have Contador ride the tour of california 2010. Merikan bicycle manufacturer sponsor, majority spanish speaking state, SHOWDOWN POTENTIAL.+ the thought..... he may be riding for the shack next year.

Not part of his program--typically doesn't race in May. Rest, recovery and building for the Tour de France. Will do the Dauphine and maybe Spanish TT and/or Road Race, but that's it before the big dance.

Lance said he wanted to do more racing before the Tour this year compared to last year. I haven't crunched the numbers but I think he will end up with fewer races days pre-Tour than last year.

 

[happychappy]

Surely when training with power it doesn't matter where you ride as long as you're hitting the numbers at the right times for the right intervals.
But then again, if you have an opportunity to train on the roads you're racing on it seems absolutely crazy not to?!

 

[Publicus]

You are churning out new user names pretty quickly.

 

[flicker]

Not part of his program--typically doesn't race in May. Rest, recovery and building for the Tour de France. Will do the Dauphine and maybe Spanish TT and/or Road Race, but that's it before the big dance.

Lance said he wanted to do more racing before the Tour this year compared to last year. I haven't crunched the numbers but I think he will end up with fewer races days pre-Tour than last year.

I figure no way in hell Contador would do it but it would spice up the tour of California, and make Lance sweaty. I Love seeing those 2 TT against each other.

 

[El Oso]

So why not have Contador ride the tour of california 2010. Merikan bicycle manufacturer sponsor, majority spanish speaking state, SHOWDOWN POTENTIAL.+ the thought..... he may be riding for the shack next year.

For starters, Astana isn't invited, probably because it's impossible to send a team to the Giro and the TOC

I would be absolutely shocked if he rode for the shack next year, or for that if he ever rode for Johan again. Como se dice SSDD en espanol?

I'd like to see how the allergies react to a spring day in Northern California

 

[Publicus]

I figure no way in hell Contador would do it but it would spice up the tour of California, and make Lance sweaty. I Love seeing those 2 TT against each other.

I would love it if he showed up as well. Lance gets sweaty from afar, I suspect he would choose NOT to compete so he could always maintain that when it was indicative of what the future would hold when he was actually trying.

 

[Publicus]

For starters, Astana isn't invited, probably because it's impossible to send a team to the Giro and the TOC

I would be absolutely shocked if he rode for the shack next year, or for that if he ever rode for Johan again. Como se dice SSDD en espanol?

I'd like to see how the allergies react to a spring day in Northern California

Pure comedy gold.

 

[happychappy]

I knew that was coming - I've been lurking here for a few months so I've noticed the troll fixation that goes on around here, it's the main reason I have the armstrong thread bookmarked.

Carry on bickering please

 

[Eyjafjallajokull]

Lance said he wanted to do more racing before the Tour this year compared to last year. I haven't crunched the numbers but I think he will end up with fewer races days pre-Tour than last year.

Maybe that's because his form was crap when he said that. He seems to be more pleased with himself since the Tour of Flanders.

 

[pmcg76]

Me, I like to live with intelligence and humor.

I try to see the good in Lance for what he has done.

I know that there is a catogory of fans who Lance has let down. My guess is

they loved Lance just as Greg did at one time.

I have followed cycling since the 70s and know the history of certain pros back to the early 1900s.

I take things in balance. I am sorry that I have called people haters, riders dopers, crybabies, wimps etc.

I do not expect perfection from anyone, including pro cyclists. I do not condone certain riders who I considers out and out dopers. I do not consider Lance one of those, no matter what the naysayers say.

The consensus I have with the experienced riders and fans whom I know consider the Tour an out and out insanity in every way and unfortunatley cyclists use unfair advantage to get through that insanity.

If Lance has chosen the Tour to be his stage chapeau Lance. That is the greatest race there is and the hardest race there is.

As far as riders, quality and class I think Contador has risen to the top by far.

I will still cheer for Lance. He has courage to take on Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador. Chapeau Lance.

You said you didnt like Bjarne Riis elsewhere because of who he is basically. I am sure if you were judging both men by the same standards, there would be just as many reasons to dislike both men but you choose to like one whilst disliking the other. That is strange, this is probably where the cancer card comes in, right!!

TBH, if people recognise why others dislike Lance so much but still choose to cheer for him, then I dont have a problem with that, somebody will always like the bad boys. Just dont try and paint him as some kind of demi-God cyclist and be prepared to accept all the crap that comes your way.

 

[flicker]

You said you didnt like Bjarne Riis elsewhere because of who he is basically. I am sure if you were judging both men by the same standards, there would be just as many reasons to dislike both men but you choose to like one whilst disliking the other. That is strange, this is probably where the cancer card comes in, right!!

TBH, if people recognise why others dislike Lance so much but still choose to cheer for him, then I dont have a problem with that, somebody will always like the bad boys. Just dont try and paint him as some kind of demi-God cyclist and be prepared to accept all the crap that comes your way.

I always hated him until the 2005 tour. I thought he was good,being spat upon accused and cursed by the German fans in the big climbs.

Yeah I like him. I like Ulrich and Zabel too. Bjarne of SAXO is OK to I just hope he doesnt over amplify his riders, you just never know with Mr. 61.

 

[karlboss]

so race schedule from here? gila, TOC, tour de suisse?

So far Lance's form hasn't been stella, even a group finish at Flanders isn't great.

What would it take at each of these races, to be a chance at 2nd or even the win at the tour?

IMO Wouldn't matter at Gila no performance would convince me he could do wll at the tour. Help Levi and finish top 5 in the TOC, not get droped on the mountains and close in the TT. Maybe a no effort podium at tour de suisse and I'd be wondering what else he can pull out. Much less than this I don't think he'll be undisputed leader at the tour.

 

[Hugh Januss]

so race schedule from here? gila, TOC, tour de suisse?

So far Lance's form hasn't been stella, even a group finish at Flanders isn't great.

What would it take at each of these races, to be a chance at 2nd or even the win at the tour?

IMO Wouldn't matter at Gila no performance would convince me he could do wll at the tour. Help Levi and finish top 5 in the TOC, not get droped on the mountains and close in the TT. Maybe a no effort podium at tour de suisse and I'd be wondering what else he can pull out. Much less than this I don't think he'll be undisputed leader at the tour.

Oh, he'll be undisputed leader alright, he does the deciding. You think Bruyneel would ever tell him "you are not looking that strong Lance, we have decided to ride for Levi "?

 

[BikeCentric]

A quick primer on Armstrong's narcissistic personality disorder:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oxJf9MXidY&feature=player_embedded#!

 

[Polish]

Planet Armstrong

Recent "Planet Armstrong" Episode:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/12042010/58/planet-armstrong-flanders.html

Does this show get good ratings in Europe?

It would get relatively low ratings in the USA for sure.

 

[flicker]

Fyc

A quick primer on Armstrong's narcissistic personality disorder:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oxJf9MXidY&feature=player_embedded#!

For your information. I ran into a local anastegeologist, at the bike shop after I crashed today. He verified every bit of alagations on Lance and Floyd. I broke my helmet but I am OK. Bummer about scraping the record deralliur and frame bending.

Just to let you know he has verified all accusations by the doubters and done the math.

The only good thing I can say is He said Lance never lied" I have never been caught." And of course I believe in miracles.

 

[Publicus]

so race schedule from here? gila, TOC, tour de suisse?

So far Lance's form hasn't been stella, even a group finish at Flanders isn't great.

What would it take at each of these races, to be a chance at 2nd or even the win at the tour?

IMO Wouldn't matter at Gila no performance would convince me he could do wll at the tour. Help Levi and finish top 5 in the TOC, not get droped on the mountains and close in the TT. Maybe a no effort podium at tour de suisse and I'd be wondering what else he can pull out. Much less than this I don't think he'll be undisputed leader at the tour.

To be fair he probably has to win a MTF or finish in the top 2 or 3 (and be in the hunt for the win), and definitely win a TT. Unfortunately, on the latter point, I believe Cancellara will be at ToC and TdS, which makes it highly unlikely that he will win either of those TTs.

 

[BikeCentric]

Rabon is a better TT'er than Lance now too so unlikely he gets a win whenever he's in the same race. Pinotti might be better than Lance now too. So three guys that will beat him and maybe Millar and Rogers on good days. I don't see Lance winning another TT outside of the Gila.