Will Armstrong save cycling?

[Robert21]

OK, so Armstrong has got his just deserts for his doping, bullying and lies. However, the sickening performance of Pat McQuaid on Monday makes it clear that, as far as the UCI is concerned, it is 'business as usual' and there seems to be no force big enough to do what has to be done: effect a wholesale clear out of the UCI with McQuaid and Verbruggen being the first to go. No force big enough other than Armstrong himself that is.

Is there any chance that Armstrong will do the honourable thing and tell all with regards the complicity of the UCI in the USP / Discovery doping conspiracy? After all, the UCI were quite happy to 'throw him under the bus' when they were forced into a corner. If he did this I see no way in which McQuaid and Verbruggen could survive and then there would be a possibility of really building a better future for the sport.

I am sure that this is one action where we could all bring ourselves to support, and maybe even forgive Armstrong. So for the first time ever I find myself saying:

'Come on Lance!'

 

[H2OUUP2]

Is there any chance that Armstrong will do the honourable thing and tell all with regards the complicity of the UCI in the USP / Discovery doping conspiracy? After all, the UCI were quite happy to 'throw him under the bus' when they were forced into a corner. If he did this I see no way in which McQuaid and Verbruggen could survive and then there would be a possibility of really building a better future for the sport.

I am sure that this is one action where we could all bring ourselves to support, and maybe even forgive Armstrong. So for the first time ever I find myself saying:

'Come on Lance!'

No, he will not. He would lose everything at the drop of a hat if he did.

The UCI didn't really throw him under the bus either. They had no choice but to make that decision, and then the next day basically said they didn't want to make that decision.
Have you not read what the UCI said the next day? Their back pedaling, and trying to make it look like they had no choice. That's not really throwing Lance under the bus.

I'm sure it was excruciating for Pat McQuaid to strip Lance.

 

[hiero2]

Good luck with that. Sure would be nice, but good luck with that.

 

[Deagol]

A) cycling is probably beyond saving
B) if it was anyone who would really "save" it, it would not be one person, but a combination of people like Tygart and others.
C) Lance might be able to lay claim to being the largest figure that actually destroyed cycling (Pat & Hein and Johan, are others)
D) Cycling pretty much sucks, thanks to this culture

 

[ElChingon]

Pro Cycling, its the new Pro Wrestling!

 

[Benotti69]

Pro Cycling, its the new Pro Wrestling!

they might as well only wear speedos it has become such a joke!

 

[H2OUUP2]

Pro Cycling, its the new Pro Wrestling!

Ugh.................. Why did you have to say that? That just ruined it for me a little more.

There was another poster that said this, and he/she was right. We just need a massive face palm for this forum for all what's happened.

 

[Turner29]

No, he will not. He would lose everything at the drop of a hat if he did.

Not only would Lance lose everything, but would likely face criminal prosecution.

 

[Turner29]

Let me throw this one out. Lance Armstrong actually sues the UCI in a Swiss Court?

 

[H2OUUP2]

Not only would Lance lose everything, but would likely face criminal prosecution.

Ya, that's why I bolded that word. He would lose every penny, even Livestrong. He would be finished. It's what a lot of people want, and he's not going to give it to them.

 

[Benotti69]

Ya, that's why I bolded that word. He would lose every penny, even Livestrong. He would be finished. It's what a lot of people want, and he's not going to give it to them.

Whether he confesses or not he is finished, he still might lose every penny and liestrong too.

 

[Briant_Gumble]

I'd like to see it, the performance of the 'snake' McQuaid (although that gives his deceptiveness more credit than it deserves) was pretty nauseating.

 

[H2OUUP2]

Whether he confesses or not he is finished, he still might lose every penny and liestrong too.

I hope, and it is possible he will lose livestrong, and every penny. But I have a feeling he will be okay. Not how he is okay now, but okay. If he confessed, it wouldn't even be a question. He would be collecting welfare the next day.

 

[ebandit]

facts of lance

OK, so Armstrong has got his just deserts for his doping, bullying and lies. However, the sickening performance of Pat McQuaid on Monday makes it clear that, as far as the UCI is concerned, it is 'business as usual' and there seems to be no force big enough to do what has to be done: effect a wholesale clear out of the UCI with McQuaid and Verbruggen being the first to go. No force big enough other than Armstrong himself that is.

Is there any chance that Armstrong will do the honourable thing and tell all with regards the complicity of the UCI in the USP / Discovery doping conspiracy? After all, the UCI were quite happy to 'throw him under the bus' when they were forced into a corner. If he did this I see no way in which McQuaid and Verbruggen could survive and then there would be a possibility of really building a better future for the sport.

I am sure that this is one action where we could all bring ourselves to support, and maybe even forgive Armstrong. So for the first time ever I find myself saying:

'Come on Lance!'

ha ha! your deluded...............lance will not be telling all

no-way will cycling fans/the american public get behind lance with more of

the truth emerging

cycling will survive without lance..............even the ineptitude of mr v /

fat pat could not kill off cycling

let's hope that that dynamic duo are exposed .........if they are it will

not be through direct action by lance

 

[TrackCynic]

The only way I can see pro cycling being saved is if there is some positive influence and care for the current juniors who haven't yet made it into the sport but are in development teams and programs now.

It's up to parents and mentors to ensure that the juniors (otherwise known as the 2022-2032 future TdF participants) don't get caught up in this. How? They do not allow their kids to have anything to do with anyone who has links to doping - either ridden as a doped rider or been part of a doped team (as a rider or manager or doctor or coach).

I say let's forget about the current generation and focus on cleaning the sport up from grassroots. I'd like to think Clinic members could help point out those local clubs and development teams who have people working on them with shady pasts? Perhaps another specific thread where people can contribute on a country basis?

For example, in the USA, there are development teams run by USAC, Garmin, Specialized and others - what do we know about them?

 

[Pazuzu]

I'd love for the scenario described in the OP play out. At the moment I think it's not likely. But hope springs eternal.

 

[BroDeal]

I think that Armtrong will attempt to burn down the UCI if he can get his legal issues resolved. The best card he has left to play is to say not only everyone else was doing it but the governing body and race promoters were also corrupt. I cannot see Armstrong allowing himself to end as a pariah. He also has to be hopping angry with what McQuaid said about him.

He and Bruyneel could do a huge amount of damage. Imagine them implicating not just the UCI and ASO but also Boonen, Contador, Savoldelli, the Schlecks, Cancelllara, etc. They could explain how they got tip-offs from drug testers, paid bribes to Verbruggen, made a deal with McQuaid and the ASO to facilitate Armstrong's return by sacking the Tour de France's director, name riders who the UCI removed on Armstrong's request because they were too competitive with Armstrong, etc.

The problem Armstrong may have is the federal criminal exposure could last another three or four years before there is no way to get around the statute of limitations. By that time the damage he may do will be lessened considerabely because what happened will be long in the past.

I said it before in another thread, but if this was politics then political operatives would leak information to damage the opposing side. Maybe possible criminal charges will prevent Armstrong and Bruyneel from doing much of this.

 

[dadane]

While he is focussed on the 'little' problem of avoiding perjury charges nothing will happen.

If this happens anyway but takes a long to come to about he will have spent a fortune in out of court settlements and other backhanders solely to avoid having to give further sworn testimony and all for nothing. At that point he may have little to lose anyway.

When it becomes financially beneficial to come clean rather than keep up the charade he will. At the moment I don't see numbers stacking up high enough. There is the threat of jail time but this will only help promote him as a martyr amongst his followers. Jailed for cancer

Edit: (Just spotted BroDeal's previous post.) If JB throws his toys out of the pram, Lance loses what little control of the situation he has left. And, JB already has much less to lose...

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

A) cycling is probably beyond saving
B) if it was anyone who would really "save" it, it would not be one person, but a combination of people like Tygart and others.
C) Lance might be able to lay claim to being the largest figure that actually destroyed cycling (Pat & Hein and Johan, are others)
D) Cycling pretty much sucks, thanks to this culture

Yep. Pro cycling is beyond repair. It's based on a culture of doping cheats. I don't have much good to say about pro cyclists. With notable exceptions such as Lemond, Vaughters, Jaschke, and a few others, they seem like complete morons.

Hard to believe people actually consider these dolts to be heroes.

 

[Deagol]

Yep. Pro cycling is beyond repair. It's based on a culture of doping cheats. I don't have much good to say about pro cyclists. With notable exceptions such as Lemond, Vaughters, Jaschke, and a few others, they seem like complete morons.

Hard to believe people actually consider these dolts to be heroes.

Yup, Indurain and Contador.
Also, how can Stuart O'grady be "shocked" at the news that has come out when any real cycling fan who has been paying attention for the last few years already knew a great deal of what was published in the USADA report. I'm sure Stuart and all the others know a %^&* more than we do, but now they are shocked ??? comlete BS from these pros protecting their cash cow.

 

[Robert21]

Perhaps Armstrong really is going to do the right thing:

Armstrong, 41, is planning to testify against officials from the International Cycling Union, the worldwide governing body of cycling, about their involvement with doping in cycling, but he will not testify against other riders, according to the people familiar with his plans.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/15/s...e-will-testify-against-cycling-officials.html

 

[Robert21]

Whoops, I see that this has already been posted - several times. Still, what fantastic news!

 

[peterst6906]

Perhaps Armstrong really is going to do the right thing:

Armstrong will continue to do what he has always done - the right thing for him and him only.

What will be funny to watch in coming days is that Pat will become the "new Lance" as far as raising concerns about the character of Lance's words.

Pat's line in coming days will be: Lance is nothing but a disgraced doper who is just bitter, jealous and trying to save his own skin. He can't be trusted as he's a proven liar. Pat likes his own credibility.

 

[erader]

"Armstrong will continue to do what he has always done - the right thing for him and him only."

yep.

 

[Robert21]

Armstrong will continue to do what he has always done - the right thing for him and him only.

Sure, but if Armstrong does tell all about the way the UCI protected him and facilitated his doping over the years, it really could turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to cycling.