Versus: "Armstrong countering sniper attacks by the Spaniard"

[thehog]

This quote friggin scares me the most. It’s a cast back to the old days. Bordry has only ever made question on the UCI testers and not Armstrong. By making these remarks and the UCI wanting to boot the AFLD we’ll be going back to the good old days. Can’t see how this is hanging cycling? Allow the dope to run free again. In 2008 we were finally getting somewhere. It wasn’t a classic Tour but slowly we were getting back to normality. I don’t have much hope for the 2010 Tour. Expect to see ridiculous riding with Radioshack guys riding on the front of the peleton for days upon end keeping the temp so high that no one can barely attack. We’ve seen this before. So what happens post 2011? What does this teach the younger riders? Its ok to dope again? To be honest I'm over it. Contador has lost the Tour with this remark alone.

I'm not upset about a pro-American article, but because there's what appear to be a concerted effort right now to revise history. I'm still not sure why Juliet Macur stepped away from pre-Olympic coverage to write a New Year's story about LA. But he and Bruyneel are working their

http://www.wielertom.com/?p=333

 

[fatandfast]

look guys, why would you doubt anything Joe Parkin says ? He obviously has a knowledge of all things cycling that is far superior to ours and he researches in depth all the information he publishes to make sure it is accurate.

Parkin is a hack. He can walk down a whole row of team buses anywhere in the world and Bob Roll will be the only guy to say hello. Dog in a hat is story that anybody who raced in Belgium in the 80's and 90's could have written. Nobody that did thought there was a great deal of interest..they were right. Parkin should ask Contador for an interview before forming any opinion about him,he won't get an interview so again he should go back to the bike shop.

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

No, it really doesn't. Reality is reality, perception is your vision of reality, some are more colored than others.

It really is. Aren't you familiar with Relativism?

 

[Hugh Januss]

It really is. Aren't you familiar with Relativism?

OK you're right, Your perception that the sky is yellow is every bit as valid as my observation that it is blue.

 

[hfer07]

look guys, why would you doubt anything Joe Parkin says ? He obviously has a knowledge of all things cycling that is far superior to ours and he researches in depth all the information he publishes to make sure it is accurate.

it's VERSUS! - what more can anybody expect from them!!--and as soon as LA starts racing, I foresee the avalanche of incoherent commentaries coming from Bob Roll & Co. on how "awesome" LA looks this year and all the typical Bvllsh!t

 

[Publicus]

it's VERSUS! - what more can anybody expect from them!!--and as soon as LA starts racing, I foresee the avalanche of incoherent commentaries coming from Bob Roll & Co. on how "awesome" LA looks this year and all the typical Bvllsh!t

You should read Bobke's last piece on Astana. It's a doozy. I don't mind them riding Lance's jock, that's understandable. It's the rewriting of history that is annoying.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Roll is an absolute moron. The guy contributes ZERO to the sport. He's the designated Lance jock sniffer on Versus just to cheerlead the Lance fans. The cycling fans generally ignore him or he ruins the entire broadcast. A true turd blossom.

 

[BYOP88]

Contador's just a bloody bully. I don't know if anyone here knows the full facts about this but apparently Lance once had cancer. Anyone who bullys a cancer victim is bang out of order. It's just a shame that Lance is so shy when it comes to speaking to the press, we might never get to hear his side of the story.

ROFL

Legen-wait for it- dary

 

[UpTheRoad]

You should read Bobke's last piece on Astana. It's a doozy. I don't mind them riding Lance's jock, that's understandable. It's the rewriting of history that is annoying.

Surely you don't disagree with this quote:
"The division within Team Astana never became apparent during the Tour."

Really? How is it possible that the people from versus allow this drivel?

Bobke is a buffoon.

 

[richwagmn]

To pmcg76, Race Radio, and Publicus....

It's not that I think AC was taking personal shots at LA, I think he has a certain level of insecurity (and maybe entitlement), and his comments contributed to some of the tension at Astana by immediately insuating he is the strongest rider. If he hadn't made those comments, I think there would have been less of a problem. Lance took it personally, which he shouldn't have done, and fired back by trying to belittle AC's skills in saying he had "lots to learn." At least, that's how I see it. Neither was the bigger man in this situation.

Don't you think that AC may have known what he was up against though? He had already been denied one tour entry and now felt that another TDF could be threatened by LA's comeback. I'm sure he was aware of the relationship between LA and JB and probably felt the odd man out. His instincts were correct and born out when the TDF started. There was no way LA was going there to support AC and LA's behavior had the support of JB.

I think AC played it as best he could. He certainly deserved to be the undisputed leader of the team, but JB wouldn't give that to him (even though he had admitted several times that AC was stronger than LA). I'd be angry too and I think many people wouldn't have been as restrained as AC was.

 

[richwagmn]

You should read Bobke's last piece on Astana. It's a doozy. I don't mind them riding Lance's jock, that's understandable. It's the rewriting of history that is annoying.

Do you have a link to Bobke's latest fiction?

 

[Publicus]

Do you have a link to Bobke's latest fiction?

Here you go:

http://www.versus.com/nw/article/view/84981/?tf=bob_roll.tpl

 

[richwagmn]

Here you go:

http://www.versus.com/nw/article/view/84981/?tf=bob_roll.tpl

I just have no respect for this guy at all (along with the entire Versus team after last year's tour).

Does anyone remember AS answering the question from Ventura if he feared LA? I believe he said LA should fear him. Do you remember Roll's response to that? "AS better hope LA didn't hear that (with a maniacal laugh)". This in spite of AS being the only climber who could challenge AC. How blind can one be?

Roll is simply a member of the Church of Armstrong. His devotion to all things LA is cult like.

Sadly, the Church of Armstrong congregation includes most of the US cycling media. Roll, Liggett, Sherwin, VeloNews, Sally what's her name from the NY times and Wilcockson all write/commentate like they're on LA's payroll.

Truly pathetic. Thank god for cycling news.

 

[racerralph]

I just have no respect for this guy at all (along with the entire Versus team after last year's tour).

Does anyone remember AS answering the question from Ventura if he feared LA? I believe he said LA should fear him. Do you remember Roll's response to that? "AS better hope LA didn't hear that (with a maniacal laugh)". This in spite of AS being the only climber who could challenge AC. How blind can one be?

Roll is simply a member of the Church of Armstrong. His devotion to all things LA is cult like.

Sadly, the Church of Armstrong congregation includes most of the US cycling media. Roll, Liggett, Sherwin, VeloNews, Sally what's her name from the NY times and Wilcockson all write/commentate like they're on LA's payroll.

Truly pathetic. Thank god for cycling news.

You ought to drop the grimacing "Bobke" a line or two, telling him exactly how you feel on the Versus link that was supplied. I just did. I'm sure that gnarly mutant will really enjoy hearing from you

 

[BikeCentric]

Here you go:

http://www.versus.com/nw/article/view/84981/?tf=bob_roll.tpl

Look at this quote from Bob in that article:

"It was not until after the Tour de France that the simmerring animosity that Contador felt for his teammates came to light. It was no surprise there after that Alberto Contador was not included in the RadioShack roster."

That is just disgusting and atrocious. What a complete and total scumbag Bob Roll is. I have never seen more blatantly false and willfully biased writing EVER and that includes political campaigns!

 

[Publicus]

Look at this quote from Bob in that article:

"It was not until after the Tour de France that the simmerring animosity that Contador felt for his teammates came to light. It was no surprise there after that Alberto Contador was not included in the RadioShack roster."

That is just disgusting and atrocious. What a complete and total scumbag Bob Roll is. I have never seen more blatantly false and willfully biased writing EVER and that includes political campaigns!

It's pretty pathetic. I cringe at the thought of Versus' coverage/commentary at the 2010 TdF. And frankly, I expect it will have its desired effect. History will be rewritten and AC will be forever answering questions about his hostility toward his teammates at the 2009 Tour de France.

 

[BroDeal]

Funny, I used to like Roll. The toned down version after the first year or two was not as much fun. The Return of the Great White Dope has sent him around the bend. Although he has always been in Armstong's pocket, it is like the Versus' brass told him and the rest of the commentary team to play up Armstrong, and Roll went way overboard with it.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

It's pretty pathetic. I cringe at the thought of Versus' coverage/commentary at the 2010 TdF. And frankly, I expect it will have its desired effect. History will be rewritten and AC will be forever answering questions about his hostility toward his teammates at the 2009 Tour de France.

Actually, I don't think you're right at all. History has already been written here in the US media in order to favor Armstrong. On the rest of the planet, Armstrong's douchebaggery has been well documented.

 

[ScottyMuser]

Look at this quote from Bob in that article:

"It was not until after the Tour de France that the simmerring animosity that Contador felt for his teammates came to light. It was no surprise there after that Alberto Contador was not included in the RadioShack roster."

That is just disgusting and atrocious. What a complete and total scumbag Bob Roll is. I have never seen more blatantly false and willfully biased writing EVER and that includes political campaigns!

Another quote :
" Johan brought with him many of the stars of Team Discovery including the man who went on to win the 2007 Tour de France, Alberto Contado"
This the same Aalberto Contador who was at Liberty AStana BEFORE he went, for ONE year to DIscovery, (the reason for him going was to compete in the 2007 TDF, as Astana were banned for that); as soon as Astana were legitimised again he wanted to go straight back - it was NOT JB who brought him back!

"Going into the Team Time Trial Contador found himself behind his teammate, Lance Armstrong who came within a whisper of taking the yellow jersey from Fabian Cancellara and I’m certain gave Contador some thoroughly restless moments."
NO, I am pretty certain, on the road, he didn't come CLOSE to worrying Contador, AC was so clearly the better cyclist it was untrue. And lets be honest, the only reason LA was "fit and flying" as quoted was due to the other EIGHT members of the team (all of whom then moved to ... suprise suprise Radioschack) supporting HIM through the difficult stages rather than AC

"The division within Team Astana never became apparent during the Tour and Contador was supported by the strongest team in the Tour"
Yes, Yes they had - mainly due to LA giving interviews and sending tweets. What you meant to say, was, despite LA/JB trying to play up LA at all opportunities, and play down AC, AC was graceful enough to wait until he won the TDF before responding. and "strongest team" on the tour - yes, but they weren't really backing HIM for most of the time - HECK, AC rode FOR LA more days than vice versa (after AC had sealed first, helping LA get 3rd I mean)

"The aforementioned stars of Team Astanas 2009 Tour de France winning effort will now become a truly fiercesome enemy. In their stead one has to search high and low of the new Team Astana roster to find any riders of the same caliber."
Really? So you don't count Vino and Oscar Perreiro, 2 previous GT riders (neither of whom had particularly good support teams when they won) as not being as good as LL/Kloden, who have only ever been domestiques and LA (who won the majority of his 7 TDFs in with the best team rather than due to his talent being better than everyone else).

"Contador, in the end, has chosen to stay with Astana " - Well yes, its called HONOURING your CONTRACT - presumably this guy had no beef about the way Sky got Wiggins?

One of the worst written, least accurate, most sycophantic articles I have ever had the misfortunet o read.

 

[thehog]

Better article here from our friends in Australia: http://blogs.crikey.com.au/northern...u2010-and-what-the-australian-didnt-tell-you/

 

[El Imbatido]

Better article here from our friends in Australia: http://blogs.crikey.com.au/northern...u2010-and-what-the-australian-didnt-tell-you/

Thanks for the link Hog. Atleast someone in the Aus media (however small or big his outlet is) has the balls write something different about Armstrong.

On a different note (but again the same in a way) I was watching the WCP coverage on the 2003 TdF and it is as if Sherwen and Liggett have to mention Armstrong every 45sec or they will get sacked. It is driving me insane!

 

[Ferminal]

Better article here from our friends in Australia: http://blogs.crikey.com.au/northern...u2010-and-what-the-australian-didnt-tell-you/

"As the recent fall from grace of the ‘world’s greatest golfer’ Tiger Woods has illustrated, there are very real risks associated with the deification of sportsmen. When they are inevitably proved human both they and their sport suffer"

So true.

What is the fallout from LA crashing back to Earth?

Some of the sport's administrators might find themselves in a spot of bother.

 

[thehog]

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/stories/2010/01/07/2787741.htm

 

[manolo]

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/stories/2010/01/07/2787741.htm

Nice little piece. Thanks for making it available... : )

 

[fatandfast]

The Davis' look like a good fit at Astana. Bobke has made a career out of being quirkie and has no following other than some graying cycling throwbacks, his books and the ones he endorses are all about the good ol' days. He won't ever speak ill of Armstrong because that will be his next job,some PR thing after Lance and Radio Shack think it through and go to Best Buy. Roll should sell his books inside Radio Shack stores the contents of both are way old school . Prediction no RS stores or team by 2013