The Official LANCE ARMSTRONG Thread 2010-2011

[offbyone]

I guess he doesn't.

What I meant is that if he is seriously to be considered by the media, his fans, or more importantly himself to be a contender for the TdF, then he needs to show some improvement. He's currently on track to race fewer kilometers pre-Tour and with less stellar results.

It certainly looks like he is very lean (save the belly breathing photos), so it should all start to fall into place over the next few weeks. Ideally, he would show something (not saying win) in Tour of California and then a few weeks later at the Tour de Suisse (again, not win). Just that he's able to compete with is own self-identified peers. Again, if he wants to be seen as a credible GT contender, which is what he's claimed.

If we were to judge armstrong's fitness off his race results this year i would be extremely worried about him even being able to compete for top 20 in the tour much less a podium position. Clearly though he has a training plan and might be holding his cards close. However, he just doesn't seem as focused on racing anymore, but rather running livestrong, his family and his other various business dealings. That is all good and his right, but I can't imagine him winning the tour with his lack of focus. Either way he better get some race miles in. Last year he was able to ride the giro into shape, I don't know if the tour of california is long or hard enough for him to accomplish the same fitness gains in one race.

 

[El Oso]

We also learn that he is still using cancer as a marketing tool.

Or does Trek donate all their profits to fund cancer initiatives?

I'm guessing Lance is making enough off this great idea to fill up his private jet a few times.

Trek's press release:

Trek: Trek and LIVESTRONG Team Up for Unity

(Waterloo, WI) – This summer, Trek Bicycle, the world leader in bicycle technology and innovation, and LIVESTRONG, the organization founded by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong to inspire and empower people affected by cancer, are teaming up to fight cancer on a global scale. This time, it’s personal.
Throughout 2010, Armstrong and his Team RadioShack colleagues will be riding with the names of cancer survivors emblazoned on their team-issued Trek Madone bicycles as part of the “I Ride For” campaign. The campaign is designed to raise public awareness of the very personal nature of the fight against cancer and pay tribute to these everyday heroes.

The same customizable “I Ride For” decals that appear on Team RadioShack’s bikes throughout competition in 2010 will be made available to non-professional riders as well, making it easy for anyone to support the cancer survivors in their life. Customizable stickers ($10 USD), waterbottles ($15 USD), and posters ($20 USD) will be made available at http://www.trekbikes.com/unity. Proceeds from the sale of all “I Ride For” items will benefit LIVESTRONG’s anti-cancer initiatives.

I RIDE FOR LIVESTRONG is a virtual race running in tandem with the 2010 Tour of California that will live online at http://www.livestrongaction.org/rideforlivestrong. Supporters can create their own bike, and encourage their friends to "cheer" them on by joining the global fight against cancer. The virtual riders who collect the most online support will be featured on a Team RadioShack riders’ race rig in competition. The game will launch on May 12 just ahead of the Tour of California and conclude when the race ends on May 23. All names entered will be eligible, but not guaranteed, to appear on Team RadioShack bikes throughout the 2010 season, including the Tour de France.

“My return to cycling has been about spreading awareness of the global cancer burden,” said Armstrong. “’I Ride For’ is another way to spread the word and raise awareness of the personal nature of battling this terrible disease. We all know someone impacted by cancer, and we will be riding for those individuals. Who will you ride for?”

In addition to “I Ride For” decals, Armstrong will be racing special UNITY-themed Trek Madone and Speed Concept bikes throughout the 2010 race season. Bike enthusiasts will have the opportunity to purchase UNITY-themed Trek Madones through Project One, Trek’s custom bike program. For each UNITY-themed Project One bicycle sold, Trek will donate $500 to aid LIVESTRONG in the fight against cancer.

This summer, tell the world who you ride for. Visit http://www.trekbikes.com/unity.

... and cue the hog vs. kurtinsc livestrong debate

 

[kurtinsc]

Trek's press release:


... and cue the hog vs. kurtinsc livestrong debate

I've given up.

If anyone cares, they can go back 100 pages... or 200... or 300. I'm sure that's just about the points in this thread it was discussed before.

There are only so many times you can talk about this sort of thing before you realize that the other people in the conversation just don't care... they just want to argue.

 

[red_flanders]

If you're talking about the spike before the tour, there is always a red blood cell increase in the week before the tour starts as they stop doing hard training and fully recover. Wiggins said he did virtually no riding at all in the week before last years tour. That is common.

That's interesting, I didn't know that. Would you mind showing the data that supports this claim and sharing why Armstrong's peak is higher than other riders? Maybe they just forgot to taper.

 

[thehog]

I've given up.

If anyone cares, they can go back 100 pages... or 200... or 300. I'm sure that's just about the points in this thread it was discussed before.

There are only so many times you can talk about this sort of thing before you realize that the other people in the conversation just don't care... they just want to argue.

Agreed......

 

[progressor]

I've given up.

If anyone cares, they can go back 100 pages... or 200... or 300. I'm sure that's just about the points in this thread it was discussed before.

There are only so many times you can talk about this sort of thing before you realize that the other people in the conversation just don't care... they just want to argue.

On this thread subject matter your dealing with religious zealots. Agree with everything they want to beleive or you're the spawn of the devil - there is no alternative viewpoints.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

Agreed......

The forum in general is 99% dominated by people who like to talk about cycling and are bored enough to discuss the same things ad nauseum.

You can either deal with it...or not...

I guess to try and find the silver lining, we can point to the fact that cycling, in particular professional cycling, is alive and well that this many people will beat these dead horses continuously until they are reduced to sub atomic particles and then keep on beating said dead horse.

 

[progressor]

You mean you don't believe he is really that old?
I was an Armstrong fan (not fanboy like you, I have never tried to purchase his used underwear online, unlike yourself) until I really read up on him.

Fact 1. He's 38. - Why bother to lie about his age as a put down? Pathetic.
Fact 2.Never been a fan of his let alone a fanboy. -See if you get the concept that disagreeing with a bunch of extremist haters doesn't mean someone is a fan.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

On this thread subject matter your dealing with religious zealots. Agree with everything they want to beleive or you're the spawn of the devil - there is no alternative viewpoints.

...and that's just in the obama thread !!!!

 

[alberto.legstrong]

...and by the way....

This thread has just surpassed the obama post count and it was begun 4+ months later (this is less than 4 months old).

Take THAT !!!

Oddly enough, I couldn't find a cartoon image of Lance shoving a frame pump into obama's spokes.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Fact 1. He's 38. - Why bother to lie about his age as a put down? Pathetic.
Fact 2.Never been a fan of his let alone a fanboy. -See if you get the concept that disagreeing with a bunch of extremist haters doesn't mean someone is a fan.

Oh that's better, you are not a fan of Armstrong you just have your panties all in a wad because people have the nerve to say something not nice about a public figure that you don't even care for. So you are only here for the argument then and yet you always complain about that too. I use to think you were one of the more reasonable fanboys, but if you are infact not even a fanboy then I quess I think you are just sad and pathetic. I promise I won't pick on you anymore, why try to make a miserable person even more so?

 

[Race Radio]

On this thread subject matter your dealing with religious zealots. Agree with everything they want to beleive or you're the spawn of the devil - there is no alternative viewpoints.

Do you ever post here to actually discuss a topic or is your only goal to spew blanket insults at those you disagree with?

 

[Angliru]

Why does he have to show something? Did he ever show something in the past before the tour? For now it's sufficient to show his belly to keep the discussions going .

In all seriousness, I recall an Armstrong quote before the season that it was important that he get a win/victory prior to the Tour. Is he scheduled to ride either the Tour de Swiss or the Dauphine?

 

[Angliru]

Interesting, that the record continues to go round and round.
The haters refuting with facts and evidence, while the fanboys pour out the hate and scorn.

He raced in the latter half of the Giro, so he needs to find some legs in Cali.
There's only so much worth in hanging on the back of the peloton.
It would be ridiculous, not to say miraculous, to hope to ride competitively at Tour speeds, without properly testing race fitness.

I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles!

He hasn't won an important race since his unretirement. Not a one.

 

[adambarnes]

i only had a quick look for this in the thread so i hope this is not a repost :

 

[amp300]

In all seriousness, I recall an Armstrong quote before the season that it was important that he get a win/victory prior to the Tour. Is he scheduled to ride either the Tour de Swiss or the Dauphine?

Swiss I believe, and to the above poster, yes that picture has been posted and discussed ad nauseum. I think the verdict is a combination of Allen Lim rice cakes, michelob ultra, and breathing.

 

[Angliru]

Swiss I believe, and the the above poster, yes that picture has been posted and discussed ad nauseum

Thanks.

Is he wearing one of those cooling vests? His torso looks abnormally large for a professional cyclist. I recall Allen Lim mentioning upon being hired by RadioShack that using the cooling vests in training was one of the strategies that he would implement.

 

[Hugh Januss]

I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles!

He hasn't won an important race since his unretirement. Not a one.

Nevada City has a rich tradition. I think it will be awarded Pro Tour status any day now.

 

[adambarnes]

Swiss I believe, and to the above poster, yes that picture has been posted and discussed ad nauseum. I think the verdict is a combination of Allen Lim rice cakes, michelob ultra, and breathing.

sorry about that

the only other one i saw when i scanned the thread was the one where cancer man and levi were climbing and looking a bit larger than normal

 

[Angliru]

Nevada City has a rich tradition. I think it will be awarded Pro Tour status any day now.

Well the ToC is a grand tour according to Stapleton so anything is possible.

 

[r.avens]

Thanks.

Is he wearing one of those cooling vests? His torso looks abnormally large for a professional cyclist. I recall Allen Lim mentioning upon being hired by RadioShack that using the cooling vests in training was one of the strategies that he would implement.

Did Allen Lim also mention wearing a Carrier Air Conditiong compressor around one's waist?

Yes, I saw the Lim article in Bicycling yesterday and Bicycling takes about 1000 words to tell you about his theories that could be explained in about 100.

I especially liked that Bicycling had Lance's speed secrets, see p. 54 in large headlines on the upper left of the cover, and then in the lower right a smaller headline about the rise of amateur doping..... ohhhhh the irony.....

 

[Publicus]

In all seriousness, I recall an Armstrong quote before the season that it was important that he get a win/victory prior to the Tour. Is he scheduled to ride either the Tour de Swiss or the Dauphine?

I recall that comment as well. He's not formally announced that which race he will do in June, but it seems pretty obvious that he would rather avoid AC up until the TdF, which suggests he's riding the Tour de Suisse.

 

[peloton]

i only had a quick look for this in the thread so i hope this is not a repost :

looking at that photo, it looks pretty obvious he is wearing some sort of belt.

 

[Iker_Baqueiro]

I recall that comment as well. He's not formally announced that which race he will do in June, but it seems pretty obvious that he would rather avoid AC up until the TdF, which suggests he's riding the Tour de Suisse.

Hey, come on guys, what really matters are the Overall Team Classification wins and the Radioshack has won plenty of those.

 

[Kender]

it looks a little like one of those pregnancy vests under his shirt