The Official LANCE ARMSTRONG Thread 2010-2011

[Publicus]

I don't think we should be arguing who has the best team around them for the cobbles as they all have decent, equal support but rather who themselves among the contenders can ride cobbles. It seems to be Armstrong has the most experience and is a confident, proficient cobble rider, not a Paris-Roubaix guy, but someone who can ride them nonetheless. The Schleks and AC aren't as solid I believe (could be wrong).

They may not be, but they (IMO) have better equipment than Radio Shack (Roubaix over Madone), and in the case of Saxo Bank, have better cobbles riders than anyone on either Astana or Radio Shack. Heck, I think BMC and Sky could really be the ones to gain the most on this stage given their respective lineups.

Frankly, I expect that given all of the hype leading into this stage, it fails to live up to the hype.

 

[Publicus]

Interesting read regarding the Rivarly at the Tour last year:

http://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-france/tour-features/rivalry?page=0,0

This quote was . . . well interesting:

SIX MONTHS LATER, ARMSTRONG has had a chance to digest all that happened. The memories make him hunger for this year's Tour. "If Alberto rides a perfect race--if he rides physically as good as he did in 2009 and can be controlled by a team director who makes the decisions instead of him--he'll be almost impossible to beat. But he's very uncoachable. I respect Johan a lot for dealing with it for so long, and even more than Johan, the staff and riders. That total disrespect for the work people do--I've never done that and never understood it. I'll never get it. In this game, there's one guy that wins the Tour and he gets rich and famous, and if you're that guy and you don't hook up your brothers, man, it comes back. He always had a lot of handy excuses: His earpiece fell out, he didn't understand the instructions in English....


"I can't wait for July. I'm serious. I'm...man...I want to beat him. The whole world will be watching."

I'll throw in this ESPN article too:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?id=5217968

 

[BroDeal]

Interesting read regarding the Rivarly at the Tour last year:

http://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-france/tour-features/rivalry?page=0,0

This quote was . . . well interesting:

In light of Armstrong cheating his teamates out of their prize money that quote is hilarious.

 

[Barrus]

Interesting read regarding the Rivarly at the Tour last year:

http://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-france/tour-features/rivalry?page=0,0

This quote was . . . well interesting:



I'll throw in this ESPN article too:

I'm sorry but a lot of that sounded quite like bullshyte, Lance happy as a domestique, the entire team working for Bert, really man, that didn't seem to be the case, just like the fact that only riders that would work for Lance were chosen. I can really understand why Bertie didn't listen to the team orders, they were not in his best interest. Also, this once again shows the fact that JB teams and his tactics are solely defensive tactics. I hope that this year, BErtie has more influence and we'll see a more agressive stance

 

[Beech Mtn]

According to Cyclingnews, Lance decided not to hold the traditional pre-Tour press conference today.

Maybe during the Tour he can do like last year and have the team press man bring down a laptop with a pre-recorded message for reporters rather than taking questions in person.

 

[hrotha]

From Publicus's article:

When Contador is asked about the moment later that day, he says, "Lance did a lot of work today. But I didn't really need his help."

Really, it would be nice if English-speaking journalists stopped putting these ridiculous spins on their mangled translations from Spanish.

The article itself is pretty interesting.

 

[Publicus]

I'm sorry but a lot of that sounded quite like bullshyte, Lance happy as a domestique, the entire team working for Bert, really man, that didn't seem to be the case, just like the fact that only riders that would work for Lance were chosen. I can really understand why Bertie didn't listen to the team orders, they were not in his best interest. Also, this once again shows the fact that JB teams and his tactics are solely defensive tactics. I hope that this year, BErtie has more influence and we'll see a more agressive stance

I just said it was an interesting read. I wasn't co-signing what was said. I actually tweeted Strickland to see if he actually interviewed AC for the book. I'm awaiting his response (don't know if one will ever come).

 

[eleven]

I don't think we should be arguing who has the best team around them for the cobbles as they all have decent, equal support but rather who themselves among the contenders can ride cobbles. It seems to be Armstrong has the most experience and is a confident, proficient cobble rider, not a Paris-Roubaix guy, but someone who can ride them nonetheless. The Schleks and AC aren't as solid I believe (could be wrong).

It's interesting that people are so caught up in a discussion of GC contenders on the cobbles that I haven't seen a discussion of who might actually, you know...win the stage! I'm still not so sure about their being this decisive split, but if most GC guys make the split it will be interesting to see if some riders are freed to battle for a stage win. For instance, might Saxo Bank let Cancellara go towards the end? Will BMC allow Hincapie to go?

Or will the splits all be pulled in and we'll end up with a sprint? Either way, it should be a fun stage to watch.

 

[Cobblestones]

In light of Armstrong cheating his teamates out of their prize money that quote is hilarious.

I also liked the Bruyneel quote:

Miracles in cycling? There are none.

The hog is off the script.

 

[Barrus]

I just said it was an interesting read. I wasn't co-signing what was said. I actually tweeted Strickland to see if he actually interviewed AC for the book. I'm awaiting his response (don't know if one will ever come).

Wasn't directing it at you, but rather at the article itself and anyone who agreed with the article. I do hope you get an answer from Strickland, and I wonder who he interviewed, other than Lance and his cronies, and if so, in what language.

BTW @ Hrotha can you say what Bert really said in that case? I myself do not know any Spanish, so my translation would probably be even worse

 

[python]

oh boy.

that quote shows what an obnoxious arrogant piece of carp texas is was and always will be.

gees, he has the nerve to take the high ground whilst many of his teammates not only loath him but despite all the dangers and for no personal gain ready to testify under oath not only about his disloyalty but also what a lowly fraud he was and is.

this guy has no business talking about teammate loyalty.

he pays hard cash for loyalty and when it does not work he extorts it with threats and intimidation.

i really hope this criminal goes to jail.

 

[Publicus]

I also liked the Bruyneel quote:



The hog is off the script.

Yeah that whole paragraph was just fascinating. No miracles in cycling. And yet here we are being told that Armstrong (who was last seen struggling on the Albupabass) is going to climb with Contador (who was last seen winning on Alpe d'Huez). Haven't seen him climb well ALL YEAR, but that's giving no commentators a moment of pause because he finished 2nd at TdS....

No miracles indeed.

 

[hrotha]

BTW @ Hrotha can you say what Bert really said in that case? I myself do not know any Spanish, so my translation would probably be even worse

I haven't been able to find the actual quote, but I distinctly rembember he said something like "It was great for Lance to come back after being dropped, although I didn't end up needing his help". He was praising his team because they were around him although he didn't end up needing to be pulled by them (ie. he wasn't dropped nor put in a dangerous situation).

 

[Publicus]

I just said it was an interesting read. I wasn't co-signing what was said. I actually tweeted Strickland to see if he actually interviewed AC for the book. I'm awaiting his response (don't know if one will ever come).

So he directed me to his comment on another forum (basically he didn't interview AC):

Thanks for fair and tough analysis.

You're right about the tilt of the book. I did find myself in a spot where I was rooting for Armstrong against AC. Because it happened, I admitted so outright in the book ("Like the team's riders, I've found my loyalty drawn to Armstrong almost completely—and against my determination to remain objective—but there is also no denying Contador's strength. In emotional isolation, he has withstood the physical and psychological attacks of all of his rivals, including the one on his team.")

Even so, from the standpoint of pure storytelling, I tried to represent AC's talent and positive qualities but no doubt I didn't get as much in there as I would have liked. Partly, I was hampered by level of access. (I asked his press agent for time but couldn't get it, and though he was probably used to seeing me around all year, he also might have known I co-wrote Bruyneel's book and didn't feel I could be trusted.) But partly it was a storytelling decision to channel the narrative through my perceptions.

For the record, there is no denying AC's strength. Amazing to see from so up close.

 

[Beech Mtn]

Looks like Carboncrank went out training with Lance

 

[Barrus]

So he directed me to his comment on another forum (basically he didn't interview AC):

I find myself wondering how such a man with this type of writings can consider himself to act objectively even prior to writing, he already was a Lance fanboy and should not even pretend to be in any manner objective when it comes to such a subject.

Also I do like th statement "like the team's riders" I do wonder is he only speaking about the older lance and Bruyneel cronies, like LL, Klödi Horner etc. or everyone on the team, including those that are still in the team. For if it are only the former, it is no surprise that their loyalty drifted to lance, as Bruyneels loyalty always was with lance

 

[Anonymous]

It's interesting that people are so caught up in a discussion of GC contenders on the cobbles that I haven't seen a discussion of who might actually, you know...win the stage! I'm still not so sure about their being this decisive split, but if most GC guys make the split it will be interesting to see if some riders are freed to battle for a stage win. For instance, might Saxo Bank let Cancellara go towards the end? Will BMC allow Hincapie to go?

Or will the splits all be pulled in and we'll end up with a sprint? Either way, it should be a fun stage to watch.

BMC may very well allow that, but it would IMO be an embarrassment if he were to win. It would never make up for never winning Roubaix even if it is a Tour stage.

 

[Cerberus]

It's interesting that people are so caught up in a discussion of GC contenders on the cobbles that I haven't seen a discussion of who might actually, you know...win the stage! I'm still not so sure about their being this decisive split, but if most GC guys make the split it will be interesting to see if some riders are freed to battle for a stage win. For instance, might Saxo Bank let Cancellara go towards the end? Will BMC allow Hincapie to go?

Or will the splits all be pulled in and we'll end up with a sprint? Either way, it should be a fun stage to watch.

Hushovd might be a good bet for the stage win, he's good on cobbles and good in a sprint, he also might have a more free role than most other strogn cobbled riders.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't find anything terribly offensive about Armstrong's comments in the story. Outside of the crap he has done to people, he is a proud champion. Men compete, and he is a fierce competitor. Nothing odd or unprecedented about that.

I would think the author would be more fair to have spent another comment or two on Contador being dropped by his team not because he was spent, but because he happened to be behind the guy who gaped. I have never seen a team go to the front in such a situation, and taking time to expand just a little would have more fairly shown why Contador was suspicious of the intentions of Armstrong and Bruyneel.

Past that, the old lion wants one last shot, and most of the time that ends the same way. Armstrong could very well win if something happens to Contador though, but I doubt he can do it strength against strength. It will be fun to watch.

 

[flicker]

oh boy.

that quote shows what an obnoxious arrogant piece of carp texas is was and always will be.

gees, he has the nerve to take the high ground whilst many of his teammates not only loath him but despite all the dangers and for no personal gain ready to testify under oath not only about his disloyalty but also what a lowly fraud he was and is.

this guy has no business talking about teammate loyalty.

he pays hard cash for loyalty and when it does not work he extorts it with threats and intimidation.

i really hope this criminal goes to jail.

If you dislike Mr. Armstrong, may I suggest you ignore him. He calls himself the Boss but he is not your boss, nor your wife, nor your ex-girlfriend. Peace Out Flicker. PS the Liger is almost my favorite animal.

 

[python]

if you dislike my writing may i suggest you ignore it. or go take a ride as you suggest to others.

 

[Oldman]

I don't find anything terribly offensive about Armstrong's comments in the story. Outside of the crap he has done to people, he is a proud champion. Men compete, and he is a fierce competitor. Nothing odd or unprecedented about that.

I would think the author would be more fair to have spent another comment or two on Contador being dropped by his team not because he was spent, but because he happened to be behind the guy who gaped. I have never seen a team go to the front in such a situation, and taking time to expand just a little would have more fairly shown why Contador was suspicious of the intentions of Armstrong and Bruyneel.

Past that, the old lion wants one last shot, and most of the time that ends the same way. Armstrong could very well win if something happens to Contador though, but I doubt he can do it strength against strength. It will be fun to watch.

Vs had a repeat of last years's Alpe de Huez stage on yesterday. The post race interview with Lance had him barely subdued in his anger toward Alberto for having the termerity to win the stage. No team camraderie at all; just seething because Alberto, who dropped everyone, alledgedly led the Schlecks up the road. Didn't say why he couldn't follow and no explanation as to why his tenuous grasp on the podium bottom step would mean more than the most-viewed stage win of the Tour. That wasn't filtered commentary by some hack writer; it was LA's lack of regard for any other team mate on display.

 

[Publicus]

Vs had a repeat of last years's Alpe de Huez stage on yesterday. The post race interview with Lance had him barely subdued in his anger toward Alberto for having the termerity to win the stage. No team camraderie at all; just seething because Alberto, who dropped everyone, alledgedly led the Schlecks up the road. Didn't say why he couldn't follow and no explanation as to why his tenuous grasp on the podium bottom step would mean more than the most-viewed stage win of the Tour. That wasn't filtered commentary by some hack writer; it was LA's lack of regard for any other team mate on display.

There was no Alpe d' Huez stage last year. Verbier? Maybe Stage 17 (Colombiere and Col de Romme climbs)?? Ventoux?

EDIT: He's aged

 

[Oldman]

There was no Alpe d' Huez stage last year. Verbier? Maybe Stage 17 (Colombiere and Col de Romme climbs)?? Ventoux?

EDIT: He's aged

Right you are: Stage 17. I had the sound turned down on the twins' broadcast until Lance came on.

 

[flicker]

if you dislike my writing may i suggest you ignore it. or go take a ride as you suggest to others.

I did take a ride and you know what pi sses me off. I went by Laguna Seca and Spirit West was taking place. I am excited about the Tour, I have new bike ,the weather is fine and thousands of born again christians really harshed my buzz. Sorry to take it out on you Python. Liger is practiclly my favorite animal.