The Official LANCE ARMSTRONG Thread 2010-2011

[hfer07]

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:

After almost a year of speculation, dirty words, PR spin, the endless rivers of commentaries floating through the media, etc,etc,etc......

Lance lost last year's tour because Alberto Condator "disobayed" the DS orders...:D

PS: I wonder what will be excuse for this year's though.............

 

[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:

After almost a year of speculation, dirty words, PR spin, the endless rivers of commentaries floating through the media, etc,etc,etc......

Lance lost last year's tour because Alberto Condator "disobayed" the DS orders...:D

PS: I wonder what will be excuse for this year's though.............

Let's be real why he was upset on Arcalis: because he had expected to get the yellow jersey that day. The yellow jersey and complete control of the team. He would like to have us believe that it was all about AC disobeying orders, but it just doesn't add up...

 

[Barrus]

Allright really found this funny, on the same site, on the front page there is the following article
http://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-france/tour-features/nice-guys-finish-first
Whereas the first article states Bert as a bad and unlikable [erson this one makes him out to be a real nice guy. Even a guy who went to RS says so, couldn't they at least take a single line in the same website, instead of making him out as a bogeyman in one article and praising him like a saint in the other

 

[*G*K*S*]

I am not a very astute fan and my memory is poor but in some of the earlier races they looked as if they were fatigued. Was it the Criterium International or Paris Nice. 3 weeks of insanity at the tour is a lot to ask from any team. How many on their team are tour vetrans?

TdF
AC = 3
De la Fuent = 3
Grivko = 3
Hernandez = 0
Iglinskiy = 3
Navarro = 1
Noval = 4
Tiralongo = 3
Vino = 6

 

[Angliru]

Interesting read regarding the Rivarly at the Tour last year:

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



Let's be real why he was upset on Arcalis: because he had expected to get the yellow jersey that day. The yellow jersey and complete control of the team. He would like to have us believe that it was all about AC disobeying orders, but it just doesn't add up...

Maybe Contador did disobey orders but he saw the writing on the wall, that regardless of who showed the better form in ITT's and in the mountains, that Bruyneel's strategy was geared around getting Armstrong the win. Bruyneel and Armstrong had to know that it is against a rider like Contador's nature to just "sit in" on a climb without testing his opponents' weaknesses. The goal is to gain time on one's opponents, not ride in a parade up the mountain.

Contador is a weapon to be fired, not to be holstered. First mountain top finish and you're simply going to ride in a group to the finish when there is time to be gained on opponents launching puny attacks (Evans/Van Den Broucke), while others are fearful of the weapon (Contador) you have in your possession?

 

[Barrus]

Maybe Contador did disobey orders but he saw the writing on the wall, that regardless of who showed the better form in ITT's and in the mountains, that Bruyneel's strategy was geared around getting Armstrong the win. Bruyneel and Armstrong had to know that it is against a rider like Contador's nature to just "sit in" on a climb without testing his opponents' weaknesses. The goal is to gain time on one's opponents, not ride in a parade up the mountain.

Contador is a weapon to be fired, not to be holstered. First mountain top finish and you're simply going to ride in a group to the finish when there is time to be gained on opponents launching puny attacks (Evans/Van Den Broucke), while others are fearful of the weapon (Contador) you have in your possession?
Reply With Quote

And to be honest in my mind, this is exactly the manner in which Contador wants to ride agressively, which is why I'm happy he's still with Astana, as he will make a good team with vino. I can imagine the TTTs already, Vino and COntador coming over the line, the rest of the team 2 minutes behind
But seriously, at Astana he will have more chance of an attacking stance of riding as opposed to Bruyneel managed teams

 

[Publicus]

Allright really found this funny, on the same site, on the front page there is the following article
http://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-france/tour-features/nice-guys-finish-first
Whereas the first article states Bert as a bad and unlikable [erson this one makes him out to be a real nice guy. Even a guy who went to RS says so, couldn't they at least take a single line in the same website, instead of making him out as a bogeyman in one article and praising him like a saint in the other

Helps that in the nice guy article I think they actually spoke to him. I'm sure Gallopin is going to get read the riot act for not towing the party line.

 

[krebs303]

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.

he did some sort of interview before the presentation

Armstrong unfazed by Landis claims on eve of Tour

 

[flicker]

TdF
AC = 3
De la Fuent = 3
Grivko = 3
Hernandez = 0
Iglinskiy = 3
Navarro = 1
Noval = 4
Tiralongo = 3
Vino = 6

Me wrong again. Here is the next question. How many on that list are currently on the PED program?

 

[Publicus]

Maybe Contador did disobey orders but he saw the writing on the wall, that regardless of who showed the better form in ITT's and in the mountains, that Bruyneel's strategy was geared around getting Armstrong the win. Bruyneel and Armstrong had to know that it is against a rider like Contador's nature to just "sit in" on a climb without testing his opponents' weaknesses. The goal is to gain time on one's opponents, not ride in a parade up the mountain.

Contador is a weapon to be fired, not to be holstered. First mountain top finish and you're simply going to ride in a group to the finish when there is time to be gained on opponents launching puny attacks (Evans/Van Den Broucke), while others are fearful of the weapon (Contador) you have in your possession?

Funny thing is that Bruyneel would have launched AC if Armstrong had not been on the team. It was his usual tactic. They've taken yellow before and let it go the next stage, so that wasn't a real concern (IMO). This was the soft-pedaling that was talked about. AC wanted to make the race hard for his opponents so that they would be tired at the later stages. Sometimes a great offense is a good defense. Bruyneel use to practice that relentlessly.

 

[Publicus]

Me wrong again. Here is the next question. How many on that list are currently on the PED program?

Lets say all or none of them (take your pick). Next question.

 

[Beech Mtn]

he did some sort of interview before the presentation

Armstrong unfazed by Landis claims on eve of Tour

Ah, then Cyclingnews' article only refers to a traditional press conference with lots of reporters. Sounds like Lance is doing exclusives with a few selected favored "journalists."

 

[Beech Mtn]

Me wrong again. Here is the next question. How many on that list are currently on the PED program?

Probably no more than are on the RadioShack program.

 

[Publicus]

Ah, then Cyclingnews' article only refers to a traditional press conference with lots of reporters. Sounds like Lance is doing exclusives with a few selected favored "journalists."

Interesting comment from Lance from that article.

"I'm at the top of the form that I can have now," Armstrong said. "At my age and with the setbacks we had in the spring."

More:

"I still think that there is potentially team issues inside Astana," Armstrong said. "It's no secret. How does that affect the composition of the team, the tactics of the team? Those are the X-factors that normally shouldn't but sometimes do."

 

[BroDeal]

I think we really need a 2009 TdF sub-forum. How many years in the future will people still be arguing about what went down in 2009? Besides, we all know that Contador was in the right.

 

[flicker]

Lets say all or none of them (take your pick). Next question.

Bingo, exactly the right answer.

 

[Publicus]

Bingo, exactly the right answer.

And your point was? Before the knock was that they had no Tour experience. Now it's that all or none of them are on a program???? Seriously reaching with your critiques.

 

[Oldman]

Funny thing is that Bruyneel would have launched AC if Armstrong had not been on the team. It was his usual tactic. They've taken yellow before and let it go the next stage, so that wasn't a real concern (IMO). This was the soft-pedaling that was talked about. AC wanted to make the race hard for his opponents so that they would be tired at the later stages. Sometimes a great offense is a good defense. Bruyneel use to practice that relentlessly.

And we're not all privy to the contract discussions with AC who, like anyone else working for a living; is hired to exploit their potential for the common goal of winning. I've been on teams that recruited other riders (me included) with the understanding that each guy gets his fair shot at being the finisher, only to find out the main goal was to reduce potential opposition by hiring them and expecting a complacent domestique. It was obvious that was what LA was planning. Criticizing a team mate in public to serve your own deluded sense of importance is LA's least attractive trait, especially someone attempting to play the honorable patron. If his team mates can't trust him, no one can.

 

[flicker]

And your point was? Before the knock was that they had no Tour experience. Now it's that all or none of them are on a program???? Seriously reaching with your critiques.

To achieve great goals one must have adequete preperation. Some of those Astana riders are some of my faves. They should be right up there in front on the top cols. I personally do not have an issue with PED use as long as I do not know about it. It is part of the sport. I do not like certain PED users or ex-users. That is all. De La Fuente, Noval,Navarro. Top of the list, top drawer riders. Definitley equal or better than anything Lance has.

 

[eleven]

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.

I agree it's not like winning Roubaix, but (another) stage win would be a nice addition to his career. Plus, that early in the race it might put him in yellow - though that would probably require that Cancellara NOT make the same break.

 

[eleven]

Interesting read regarding the Rivarly at the Tour last year:

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



Let's be real why he was upset on Arcalis: because he had expected to get the yellow jersey that day. The yellow jersey and complete control of the team. He would like to have us believe that it was all about AC disobeying orders, but it just doesn't add up.

That two tenths of a second in the Team Time Trial really would have changed the dynamic of the team...and the race. In the end, Contador would have pipped him in the TT but in between would have been quite different methinks.

And at any rate, it was obvious to anyone with eyes that Contador was the stronger rider last year by far. I suspect the same will be the case this year.

 

[ferryman]

Hey Flick you have called it again. But you missed Tiralongo. Add him and NO way the Shack have a chance against that team.

 

[Publicus]

That two tenths of a second in the Team Time Trial really would have changed the dynamic of the team...and the race. In the end, Contador would have pipped him in the TT but in between would have been quite different methinks.

And at any rate, it was obvious to anyone with eyes that Contador was the stronger rider last year by far. I suspect the same will be the case this year.

Agreed, but that two tenths of seconds was Lance's fault. He was the fifth man and he slowed up at the line. And I agree with you that he was the strongest man last year, which is why I thought all of the road will decide nonsense coming from Bruyneel/Armstrong made no sense. In year's past, that would have gotten no play (could you imagine Heras or Azevedo showing up at the Tour and say he's going for the win? The road will decide? yeah me either).

 

[flicker]

Hey Flick you have called it again. But you missed Tiralongo. Add him and NO way the Shack have a chance against that team. If I was Lance I wouldnt even start. God damn pesky Europeans doped to the max. Just not a fair playing field I say

Sorry, Europeans do not dope, only Americans and Canadians. ask Floyd, Betsy, David Walsh, Greg, almost anyone on cycling news forum.....

 

[Publicus]

Sorry, Europeans do not dope, only Americans and Canadians. ask Floyd, Betsy, David Walsh, Greg, almost anyone on cycling news forum.....

I have it on good accord that Lance and Radio Shack are 100% clean.