The Official LANCE ARMSTRONG Thread 2010-2011

[Anonymous]

Chris Carmichael recently returned from Hawaii where Lance Armstrong had been training in the lead-in to the Tour Down Under. Armstrong’s current power output, according to his longtime coach, is where it used to be in April during the years he was winning the Tour de France.

Carmichael only hedged slightly, saying that Armstrong’s January 2010 fitness may not be quite as high as in January 2004 “when he was on a rampage,” but certainly is superior to that of January 2005, when he won his seventh Tour, and the same period in 2002 and 2003.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/01/news/carmichael-armstrong-months-ahead-of-old-schedule_102597

Is he looking to peak for one of the Classics instead of the Tour? He's still only listing the Tour of Murcia and ATOC as sure things before the TdF. Is he so obsessed with beating Contador at something that he's willing to be at 100% of his 2010 potential early in the season to try to win Catalunya or Pais Vasco over a Contador that's months away from his peak?

I wish I could remember the word he used the other day - before the magic formula quote - something about a guru or swami or???



I saw an interview with Popovych. A few excerpts translated by Google.

This season, you're one of the four runners Team RadioShack already assured of competing in the Tour de France with Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Klöden?
« "Yes, it's almost automatic. Each season, whatever my team, I know I'll be selected for the Tour. In addition to these four guys, you can add Christopher Horner, who is probably the appointment. But we all work for Lance, no personal ambition. » "

Yet when we look at the list of riders from Team RadioShack, many would claim a place in the overall standings of the Tour, you first.
« "In the end, Lance is still the strongest. So far to go with this idea and work for him. Lance short may be his last season in my opinion. While no doubt depend on its result at the Tour. » "

Lance Armstrong can beat Alberto Contador this year?

« "It will attack mentally. We already have some ideas on how to surprise him but you understand that I can not speak. » "

http://www.lest-eclair.fr/index.php...v_Popovych_____Tous__au_service_d_Armstrong__

 

[Ferminal]

Dangerously sick drinking game...do a shot everytime egostrong is mentioned on tonight's versus coverage...

Even with beer it could be lethal...

 

[fuggles]

Apparently in the Sydney Morning Heralds (SMH) world, team Radioshack is no more. They have been rebranded with a more fitting name... "Team Lance".

SMH has these completely worthless segments they keep putting out:

Inside team Lance: The teammate
Inside team Lance: Meet the boss

In a way, Team Lance seems more honest than team Radioshack.

 

[Publicus]

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/01/news/carmichael-armstrong-months-ahead-of-old-schedule_102597

Is he looking to peak for one of the Classics instead of the Tour? He's still only listing the Tour of Murcia and ATOC as sure things before the TdF. Is he so obsessed with beating Contador at something that he's willing to be at 100% of his 2010 potential early in the season to try to win Catalunya or Pais Vasco over a Contador that's months away from his peak?

I wish I could remember the word he used the other day - before the magic formula quote - something about a guru or swami or???



I saw an interview with Popovych. A few excerpts translated by Google.


Lance Armstrong can beat Alberto Contador this year?


http://www.lest-eclair.fr/index.php...v_Popovych_____Tous__au_service_d_Armstrong__

He and Carmichael said the same thing prior to the Tour. I wouldn't put too much stock into it.

As for Popo's comments, it speaks volumes. Apparently he didn't get the memo that it's not all about Lance this year. The team isn't built around Lance anymore. Yada, yada, yada. And I fully expect that notwithstanding Bruyneel's and Lance's compliments on his mental strength, I am almost positive that they both think that they can get to him mentally at the Tour.

 

[Publicus]

Apparently in the Sydney Morning Heralds (SMH) world, team Radioshack is no more. They have been rebranded with a more fitting name... "Team Lance".

SMH has these completely worthless segments they keep putting out:

Inside team Lance: The teammate
Inside team Lance: Meet the boss

In a way, Team Lance seems more honest than team Radioshack.

Team Lance sounds good. Or how about Lance and the Lancelots?

 

[Anonymous]

As for Popo's comments, it speaks volumes. Apparently he didn't get the memo that it's not all about Lance this year. The team isn't built around Lance anymore. Yada, yada, yada. And I fully expect that notwithstanding Bruyneel's and Lance's compliments on his mental strength, I am almost positive that they both think that they can get to him mentally at the Tour.

I definitely don't underestimate their hubris. But like Contador said months ago, there are lots of other guys in the race. So it's not just them against Contador and Astana - Basso or Evans or a Schleck or Sastre and any number of other riders on a given day could foil their plans. You've got guys fighting for the green jersey, and the KOM, and teams being aggressive to show they deserved an invitation. They could sacrifice one of their top guys on an attack and have three Liquigas riders run him down. Team Sky probably has former military strategists studying drone footage of the course right now

One of their favorite quotes is that the strongest rider always wins the race.
Oh wait - I forgot that I stopped believing anything either one says months ago.

 

[ravens]

Dangerously sick drinking game...do a shot everytime egostrong is mentioned on tonight's versus coverage...

that is called attempted suicide. I hope that is some weak-a$$ liquor, otherwise you are gonna die.

 

[ravens]

Team Lance sounds good. Or how about Lance and the Lancelots?

i think The Uniballers is a solid and menacing name. But Team Lance is better than Radio Shack. Radio Shack marketing people have really been taken for a ride, so to speak. There is a disconnect between the name and the identity. You hear radio shack and your brain has to convert it to what it actually is: Team Faded Glory. (Faded Glory is a walmart house brand of clothing, btw.)

 

[bianchigirl]

I tried that drinking game - I'm typing this from my hospital bed - acute alcoholic poisoning

 

[pueblo 2 wheels]

Lance in general

I am American. I have been a cyclist/fan since the early eighties. I really have a hard time with Lance Armstrong. I want so much to believe that his wins were clean. I just can't buy it though. Test the frozen samples! prove the world that he was clean. If nothing else, crush them now like you did just a couple years ago. Lance toyed with everyone and crushed them at will. He should still have that ability? But, i admit that if he were to do some of the things the real greats have done, Win Roubaix, Giro, some of the other one day greats. I think that the rest of the world could stomach his greatness a little easier. Do the Hour. Show the world what a 'clean' rider can do. he isn't that old for someone who supposedly had that 'ability' so recently. it would not have just disappeared. Prove the doubters wrong. If he were to win Roubaix and Flanders, I would be a believer. Besides, if he did that, the Belgians wouldn't have to fight over whether Boonen and Devolder should have won. Armstrong cuold help prevent a civil war in Belgium.

I tried that drinking game - I'm typing this from my hospital bed - acute alcoholic poisoning

 

[Bike Boy]

I am American. I have been a cyclist/fan since the early eighties. I really have a hard time with Lance Armstrong. I want so much to believe that his wins were clean. I just can't buy it though. Test the frozen samples! prove the world that he was clean. If nothing else, crush them now like you did just a couple years ago. Lance toyed with everyone and crushed them at will. He should still have that ability? But, i admit that if he were to do some of the things the real greats have done, Win Roubaix, Giro, some of the other one day greats. I think that the rest of the world could stomach his greatness a little easier. Do the Hour. Show the world what a 'clean' rider can do. he isn't that old for someone who supposedly had that 'ability' so recently. it would not have just disappeared. Prove the doubters wrong. If he were to win Roubaix and Flanders, I would be a believer. Besides, if he did that, the Belgians wouldn't have to fight over whether Boonen and Devolder should have won. Armstrong cuold help prevent a civil war in Belgium.

I'm not quite sure what to make of all this, but what is this reasoning based on?
Apparantly if Armstrong wins "de ronde", Roubaix or any other major race besides the tour, you think that will prove that he is clean.

About the age. I suppose it differs from rider to rider. If I'm not mistaken I think Poulidor attained second place in the tour aged 39.
But it is not very difficult to find examples showing the opposite. Again I'm a little uncertain but I don't think Coppi did very well in his late thirties, only one of the greatest champions of all time.

 

[zealot66]

I'm not quite sure what to make of all this, but what is this reasoning based on?
Apparantly if Armstrong wins "de ronde", Roubaix or any other major race besides the tour, you think that will prove that he is clean.

About the age. I suppose it differs from rider to rider. If I'm not mistaken I think Poulidor attained second place in the tour aged 39.
But it is not very difficult to find examples showing the opposite. Again I'm a little uncertain but I don't think Coppi did very well in his late thirties, only one of the greatest champions of all time.

His age right at the moment isnt really out of characteristics for athletes these days. All PED's aside, proper training, nutrition and supplements can offset the age thing by a good 5 years. At some point you get old but I see in other sports , people haning on and doing well.

 

[Bike Boy]

His age right at the moment isnt really out of characteristics for athletes these days. All PED's aside, proper training, nutrition and supplements can offset the age thing by a good 5 years. At some point you get old but I see in other sports , people haning on and doing well.

I agree, but thats not my point. Although I realise using Coppi as an example, probably isn't the best way to underline it.
Cycling is very different today of course. However this is what I don't agree with:

Lance toyed with everyone and crushed them at will. He should still have that ability?

I don't know any people who expects Lance to dominate cycling like that again.

You state that it is normal for "senior" athletes to hang on and do well. Thats true but I hope it's clear now that I'm not arguing that.

Besides that I'm really curious to find out, why Lance winning a mojor race out side of the tour, would proof that he has been clean all along.

 

[Carboncrank]

Dangerously sick drinking game...do a shot everytime egostrong is mentioned on tonight's versus coverage...

You guys spend so much time complaining I wonder how you have any time left to actually be race fans.
I don't recall Lances name mentioned in the entire race last night in the Versus half hour coverage I saw.

 

[Carboncrank]

That's the fourth comment from a DS or current rider knocking Lance's chances at the 2010 TdF. And so far as I know, he's not responded to any of them. Alberto can't fart in his general direction without Lance rushing to a microphone or his phone.

Oh? do tell... who are the rest?

 

[richwagmn]

You guys spend so much time complaining I wonder how you have any time left to actually be race fans.
I don't recall Lances name mentioned in the entire race last night in the Versus half hour coverage I saw.

Huh? There was LA at the beginning getting a hand shake from the guy who paid him millions just to show up.

There will NEVER be a race on Versus with Armstrong in it, where Armstrong doesn't get covered. Phil and Paul are masters at working a certain Mr. Lance Armstrong's name into almost any commentary.

 

[richwagmn]

Bjarne Riis says Armstrong can't win the tour, he goes on to say that he doubts he can podium due to the difficulty of this years tour.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/riis-says-armstrong-cant-win-the-tour-again

Mr. Riis is a smart man. Methinks LA will be getting a serving of humble pie come July.

 

[Anonymous]

To see Armstrong registered for the 2010 Miles of DisComfort Mountain Bike Marathon in Comfort, Texas on Jan. 30 could mean a couple of things: He’s looking to get in some mountain bike saddle time or finishing something left unfinished in 2008 — namely the Miles of DisComfort.

That year Armstrong dropped out of the 52-mile race with about 10 miles to go because of leg cramps, according to post-race reports. Apparently, the seven-time Tour de France winner’s water bottles kept falling off his bike, which led him to dehydrate.

http://singletrack.competitor.com/2...d&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=singletrack

 

[Carboncrank]

Huh? There was LA at the beginning getting a hand shake from the guy who paid him millions just to show up.

There will NEVER be a race on Versus with Armstrong in it, where Armstrong doesn't get covered. Phil and Paul are masters at working a certain Mr. Lance Armstrong's name into almost any commentary.

I said during the race.

Correct me if I'm wrong but Versus broadcasts in the Americas. Lance is an American, a famous Amercian, a popular American who is good on camera.
Why go on and on about them talking about the most popular, famous American rider on the American broadcast.
You don't like it? Live on your foreign purist press and video clips. Nobody is holding a gun to your head and making you watch it.

 

[Publicus]

Oh? do tell... who are the rest?

Sean Yates
David Millar
Andy Schleck

 

[Bike Boy]

That year Armstrong dropped out of the 52-mile race with about 10 miles to go because of leg cramps, according to post-race reports. Apparently, the seven-time Tour de France winner’s water bottles kept falling off his bike, which led him to dehydrate.

Thanks for providing the link. hard to believe he managed that badly. Guess he has come a long way since then

 

[BroDeal]

Thanks for providing the link. hard to believe he managed that badly. Guess he has come a long way since then

He must have hooked up with his old buddy, Dr. Ferrari.

 

[Bike Boy]

He must have hooked up with his old buddy, Dr. Ferrari.

Always nice to have friends when you need it

 

[Anonymous]

Well, according to Graham Watson (the legendary photographer) on Tw@tter:

"been a great day for fans of Lance, never seen so much excitement down here. Can he repeat it on Old Willunga Hill...?"

and

"pity there was not 'live' TV here, Shack's attack was worthy of anything 'Postal did in '99 Tour - remember the Passage du Gois..?"


Well, as there was no live TV I guess we'll have to take his unbiased word for it. Or is it on the highlights?

 

[Ripper]

This just in ....

Pharmstrong and JB would be twins if they were brothers

And Contradoper should not be afraid of Lance!

Sometimes the soundbites from Armstrong make me LMAO, and it's not when he's trying to be funny