The Official LANCE ARMSTRONG Thread 2010-2011

[FloridaFlat]

I’m no expert on this one, but the whole heart size thing comes to mind. I’m sure someone with more knowledge of the specifics could chime in. I’ve also heard to post-cancer weight loss was not really what was claimed to be. The “never tested positive” claim also is false (corticoid? And EPO in 1999, although the EPO positive didn’t happen in the standard protocol, so it was never used to sanction). I have also heard that the “most tested athlete” thing is also not true.
As an aside (and personal opinion) I would say that claim that he is truly “fighting for cancer victims” is the biggest myth of all. I see that campaign as a PR stunt and a shield. Riding a bike in a race has nothing to do with helping cancer patients. It’s not like cancer is some conscious entity that hangs out watching bike races and when Lance wins one, cancer says “shucks, I’m losing”. Lance has gained saint-status in the minds of some and that alone should show those paying attention the real pay-off for him. I have seen the effect of this on a cancer victim close to me and do acknowledge that a “hero” can have a placebo effect in the mind of someone going through this. However, the real heroes I have seen up close and personal in the real fight against cancer are the nurses, doctors, and behind-the-scenes researchers in the labs (I listed nurses first on purpose, by the way). The bike racing might be a nice distraction, but in reality the real fight against cancer happens in hospital rooms and laboratories.

RE: the rest of the “myth”, I wish someone with more knowledge of the specifics could chime in.

Your kidding right? While Lance may have doped he has for years been a champion for the cause to cure cancer and is inspiring to millions around the world in thier fight against the disease. You are correct that the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are also hero's - your opinion on his area of his life is way out of line - who do you inspire - my guess is the mirror. Here is hoping you hit the road and we never have to read you again.

 

[Big GMaC]

not sure myself about BPC on this one.

Florida Flat on the other hand, I am sure

 

[Oldman]

I’m no expert on this one, but the whole heart size thing comes to mind. I’m sure someone with more knowledge of the specifics could chime in. I’ve also heard to post-cancer weight loss was not really what was claimed to be. The “never tested positive” claim also is false (corticoid? And EPO in 1999, although the EPO positive didn’t happen in the standard protocol, so it was never used to sanction). I have also heard that the “most tested athlete” thing is also not true.
As an aside (and personal opinion) I would say that claim that he is truly “fighting for cancer victims” is the biggest myth of all. I see that campaign as a PR stunt and a shield. Riding a bike in a race has nothing to do with helping cancer patients. It’s not like cancer is some conscious entity that hangs out watching bike races and when Lance wins one, cancer says “shucks, I’m losing”. Lance has gained saint-status in the minds of some and that alone should show those paying attention the real pay-off for him. I have seen the effect of this on a cancer victim close to me and do acknowledge that a “hero” can have a placebo effect in the mind of someone going through this. However, the real heroes I have seen up close and personal in the real fight against cancer are the nurses, doctors, and behind-the-scenes researchers in the labs (I listed nurses first on purpose, by the way). The bike racing might be a nice distraction, but in reality the real fight against cancer happens in hospital rooms and laboratories.

RE: the rest of the “myth”, I wish someone with more knowledge of the specifics could chime in.

The weight loss after cancer actually was real. He had gained alot of weight preceding cancer while training monstrous miles. Ochowicz and other Motorola staff were at a loss to explain it other than an out of control "program", which LA had been known to pursue with Carmichael in the USACycling days. It started early and often. He also was not a GC or major TT threat prior to cancer.

Enter the post cancer days, new coaching and a mind openned by the protocols give to cancer patients; specifically EPO and more sophiscated androgens to help sick people recover. That knowledge combined with the emergent science of sophisticated blood doping and you have a complete rider; tuned for whatever specialty he's suited for.
All the other attributes are either smokescreen justifications for unexplainabe performance gains or "charities" designed to disguise profits. It's coming to a Grand Jury near you.

 

[Race Radio]

still would like to know the Lance myths are?

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=2669&highlight=armstrong+lies

 

[BikeCentric]

People are still talking about this Lance Armstrong cat? Pretty sure he's the old has-been who just retired right? How about we all stop bumping this thread and let him fade away. Good riddance, let's move on in the post Lance era.

 

[Deagol]

Your kidding right? While Lance may have doped he has for years been a champion for the cause to cure cancer and is inspiring to millions around the world in thier fight against the disease. You are correct that the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are also hero's - your opinion on his area of his life is way out of line - who do you inspire - my guess is the mirror. Here is hoping you hit the road and we never have to read you again.

First off, you should keep your guesses and assumptions to yourself.

This is not some abstract "feel good" cause for me, unfortunately. Like some others here, I have had someone close to me taken away by cancer.
Lance provided yellow bracelets and a story. I wish they would have helped, but alas, they did nothing. As far as inspiration, I did a ^&#*% load more than Lance ever could for this person.

The true fight against cancer is not so glamorous as riding your bike down the Champs Elysees in yelow, but rather spending sleepless nights in a hospital room trying to comfort someone who's body is being consumed by tumors.

If you are lucky enough to not have to deal with this first-hand, then you don't know what it's like to have someone on your hands hoping for a miracle that never comes.

 

[StyrbjornSterki]

I’m no expert on this one, but the whole heart size thing comes to mind....

"They" make up myths like this about everyone who wins races. I can fair guarantee you that every rider in the Tour de France had an enlarged heart, and right bundle branch block to boot. Both are characteristics developed by the majority of endurance athletes, and not just at the elite levels.

The truth is Lance had no physical characteristics that were very far out of the norm (except the uniball thing). He must have an uncommonly high lactose threshold, but so do all the other riders who've made it to that level. He does have a very accomodating ratio of limb lenghts to torso size that allows him to be big enough to TT well but small enough to climb well.

What about VO2 Max? Armstrong's was a world-class 84 ml/mn/kg, but Lemond's was 92.5 ml/mn/kg. AFAIK, Contador's VO2 Max has not been tested but based on his climb up Verbier in the '09 TdF, Greg Lemond calculated it (for whatever that's worth) at 99.5 ml/mn/kg.

I think the only "dimension" of Lance Armstrong that was really extraordinary was his capacity for suffering.

...If you are lucky enough to not have to deal with this first-hand, then you don't know what it's like to have someone on your hands hoping for a miracle that never comes.

Oh give it a rest. This is the Cycling News forum, not the. "I Have More Yellow Rubber Bands On My Wrist So I Hate Cancer More than You" forum.

 

[Deagol]

Oh give it a rest. This is the Cycling News forum, not the. "I Have More Yellow Rubber Bands On My Wrist So I Hate Cancer More than You" forum.

What the $#@! is your point????
It seems you totally misread my post.
I would not be caught dead wearing one of those yellow bracelets.

For the record: I've never seen anyone but the "fanboys" bring cancer into cycling (twist that any way you want to). Some of us talk about it to refute ridiculous arguments, but in response to the "cancer card" that serves their guy so well. .

 

[Boeing]

found a new reason to get into cycling. LIZ HATCH!!

Liz Hatch is as tired. real tired...

 

[SilentAssassin]

What the $#@! is your point????
It seems you totally misread my post.
I would not be caught dead wearing one of those yellow bracelets.

For the record: I've never seen anyone but the "fanboys" bring cancer into cycling (twist that any way you want to). Some of us talk about it to refute ridiculous arguments, but in response to the "cancer card" that serves their guy so well. .

The "cancer card" is a bit much. He has suffered from cancer, and almost died from it. Would it be a bit of a stretch for you to believe that he actually wants to do something about a disease that almost took his life? What you guys are spitting out is blind hatred for a guy that you really don't even know.

 

[ericthesportsman6]

The "cancer card" is a bit much. He has suffered from cancer, and almost died from it. Would it be a bit of a stretch for you to believe that he actually wants to do something about a disease that almost took his life? What you guys are spitting out is blind hatred for a guy that you really don't even know.

What your spitting out is blind obsession and love for a guy that you don't even know.

 

[Oldman]

Liz Hatch is as tired. real tired...

You sound like you speak from first hand experience. I'm old but not that old.

 

[Seattleallstar]

top of the evening to you old, I dont know how anyone can be tired of a Liz Hatch

 

[Seattleallstar]

Lance Vs Merckx

if the race were only the TDF, Lance easily breaks Merckx spirit and zoom pasts him in the alpe d huez. Then he wouldnt even come close to him in Mont Ventoux when Lance would make his acceleration. Only two riders that could go but would eventually fade would be Indurain or Contador

 

[theswordsman]

I'm not sure what that was

 

[BroDeal]

How many stupid threads can one person create over the span of a few days?

The new thread to total posts ratio must be about 0.9.

 

[leftover pie]

if the race were only the TDF, Lance easily breaks Merckx spirit and zoom pasts him in the alpe d huez. Then he wouldnt even come close to him in Mont Ventoux when Lance would make his acceleration. Only two riders that could go but would eventually fade would be Indurain or Contador

your post is the sound of one hand clapping

 

[Signor Corleone]

Signor Corleone

if the race were only the TDF, Lance easily breaks Merckx spirit and zoom pasts him in the alpe d huez. Then he wouldnt even come close to him in Mont Ventoux when Lance would make his acceleration. Only two riders that could go but would eventually fade would be Indurain or Contador

Did you ever see Merckx ride? No, I thought not......

 

[sienna]

if the race were only the TDF, Lance easily breaks Merckx spirit and zoom pasts him in the alpe d huez. Then he wouldnt even come close to him in Mont Ventoux when Lance would make his acceleration. Only two riders that could go but would eventually fade would be Indurain or Contador

Drugs are bad.

 

[TopCarbon]

stop the bus.......I want off

 

[Bag_O_Wallet]

your post is the sound of one hand clapping

Where's the other hand?

 

[VespistaCiclista]

What an annoying way to go from "Junior Member" to "Member."

Love,
A Junior Member

 

[DrC0721]

if the race were only the TDF, Lance easily breaks Merckx spirit and zoom pasts him in the alpe d huez. Then he wouldnt even come close to him in Mont Ventoux when Lance would make his acceleration. Only two riders that could go but would eventually fade would be Indurain or Contador

Big mistake, I started a thread like this as a joke and quickly regretted it.

 

[Seattleallstar]

Did you ever see Merckx ride? No, I thought not......

Yes of course I watched the stuff thats out there of Eddie, all im saying at the TDF NO ONE can touch Lance. Lance focused on this one race and built a legend out of it. I didnt say Lance was the best cyclist. Anyone with half a brain would know that Merckx is the best ever. This isnt a Tiger vs Jack thing, Lance isnt even close to touching Merckx as far as a complete career and the fire to win every and any race he was in.

 

[Hawkwood]

Yes of course I watched the stuff thats out there of Eddie, all im saying at the TDF NO ONE can touch Lance. Lance focused on this one race and built a legend out of it. I didnt say Lance was the best cyclist. Anyone with half a brain would know that Merckx is the best ever. This isnt a Tiger vs Jack thing, Lance isnt even close to touching Merckx as far as a complete career and the fire to win every and any race he was in.

I think someone summed this up well in another thread, the poster stated that if Contador was on the same programme as LA it would be like `a bike duct-taped to the space shuttle going up the alps', hope I got the quote right. To paraphrase this if Merckx was on the same programme it would have been like a `bike duct-taped to a Saturn 5 rocket going up the alps'. Merckx v Contador now that would be interesting.