http://www.thestar.com/sports/artic...ses-seven-tour-de-france-titles-who-gets-them
Third place rider in 1999 looks clean!
Third place rider in 1999 looks clean!
Interesting comments all around, fellas. I'm not a cyclist, but always admired Lance. Remember, he didn't just beat testicular cancer, he beat metastatic cancer that had spread to his brain and lungs-nobody does that! But Lance did.
Didn't he win most of his TdF's after this? The almost inhuman, indeed even savage dedication it would take to recover from such a physical blow and do that is almost beyond comprehension to me, and seems beyond what the human body is capable of. It is sad if he indeed dope, but even his detractors must admit he is an extraordinary athlete/human being.
My boyhood hero was Hank Aaron. I would probably be pretty shocked if I heard he hit 715 home runs on drugs, so I sympathize with you cyclists.
Interesting side note, Illadelphia-My best friend and next door neighbor growing up gradually became one of the most promising bodybuilders in the Southeast. He trained in the local gym of a multiple-Mr. Olympia winner (whom you can probably figure out.)
He had a roomful of trophies and probably could have competed nationally at some point. I mean he was truly one of those guys people pass on the street and go, "Oh my god." I enjoyed hanging out with him, going to the movies and all, just for the looks on people's faces (not to mention the girls it attracted). Truth is, he was constantly on various oral and injectable steroids (or "juice" in the 80's). It wrecked his health, and he really let himself go later. It's more common than people think, apparently even in high school sports now.
What are any of your opinions on Lance now that he has apparently admitted to doping? I think it makes me think less of him actually because of his personal attacks towards anyone and everyone who ever questioned him or accused him. I read on ESPN.com today that he may be naming other names in the near future to reduce his own ban, which is exactly what he attacked all his former teammates for. I kind of wish he just went away instead of coming out now, and especially doing it on Oprah. It will be interesting to see what he actually admits to and says when it airs.
I guess it is now clear that greg LeMond is the greatest American cyclist ever.
I would normally multi-quote all of the comments in this thread supporting him and calling this a witch hunt, but it would overload the software.
The only people with an axe to grind were the people charged with maintaining fairness in competition. I was a fan and supporter, but his behavior has been beyond self serving and rude. He accused all his former team mates of lyingg, and trying to get sweetheart deals, which he is now doing. To say I am disappointed would be a huge understatement. I guess it is now clear that greg LeMond is the greatest American cyclist ever.
I agree. I became interested in cycling due to Lance and still love to watch the Tour every year. However, I can remember many fine riders who got caught doping--Floyd Landis and Jan Ullrich come to mind--but if I remember correctly, they did not attack like a cornered dog as Armstrong has done. Armstrong--as good as he is--is a narcissistic psychopath and I don't hope to ever see him race again.
Can we please never hear about him again after this Oprah interview?
The question now that must be asked is, what will this do tothe sport now (already beset with doping troubles)?
titles or not, doping or not, he was still the best of his generation. and who do you award those titles to? certainly not the 2nd place finisher, for he
was doping as well. they all were.
i really wish he didn't choose to subject himself to the biased firing squad that is oprah.