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Old 03-23-07, 05:34 PM
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Keith99
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Originally Posted by Voodoo76
Real or perceved, Greg had to win thinking his team was not 100% behind him. Wonder if Lance could have done the same? For the sake of argument say Mig and several trusty domestiqes are hired to ride for Postal in 99 to "help" Lance. Would have been an intresting tour.
Yes even perceved it does make it harder.

But it seems the American version is a bit out of line. Now by my standards Hinault did not honor his word. But neither did he ignore it. He found the one way he could sort of keep it and still have his own chance to win. He attacked with a vengence. It tore the field to pieces and Lemond hd only one rider to contend with, Hinault.

If you search the net you can find Andy Hampsten's account. It does point out the perception, yet also points out that the still popular American version is not accurate. Hampsten divides the La vie Claire team thus. Hampsten and Bauer (the Canadien) working for Lemond, Hinaults long time second in command working for Hinault, two veteran French riders riding like veterans and two poor swiss riders who were confuised as can be.

But Hampstens story makes it clear his perception going into the race was different. He recounts a stage where he busted his buns helping Lemond and blew up and was off the back. He figured he was toast, not one would come back to help. Long hard stage and his G.C. position gone. Then what does he see? The 2 French riders dropping back to pull him back to the peleton. That evening he went to thank them and say he hoped they were not in trouble and they looked at him like he was crazy. Their responce? You are in 4th place, that is 70,000 francs.

La vie Claire had a pretty good team result. 1,2 and 4 in the G.C. KOM Best young rider team championship. Only 2 other teams in the non-national teams Tours are at that level.

So it would seem the reality of what Greg was up against is overstated, but the perception at the time was really that bad.
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