Professional Cycling - Greg/Lance

I have seen many remarks about Greg vs. Lance.

Am I the only person on the forums who is a fan of both of these magnificent riders. I think all of these idiotic "Greg said this so I refuse to buy his bikes" statements are, well idiotic. I have always been a Greg LeMond fan and have not forgotten what he has done for American cycling, back when there was no American cycling. His comments about Lance, while unfortunate, are also thought inspiring, and I am sure that he is not the only person in this corner. I am also a huge fan of Lance Armstrong and admire his courage, having said that....I do ride a LeMond :D

Are there others who can be objective and admire both of these riders for their vast accomplishments and leave the petty bickering out of it?

Rant over.

Brian

I like both riders quite a bit but I can relate to Greg a little better than I can Lance. Part of it is because I was doing bike races when Greg was doing them so he and I are similar in age, etc. Both are cool so it's OK to be a Greg and Lance fan in my book :)

Both play a very important role in the fact that we American folk are even on this website.

I would like to say I am a fan of both, so as to be a fan of American cycling in general, but for Greg to come out and make some of those statements about Lance, all I see is a man who is angry that his name has been eclipsed by Armstrong. It is just a case of sour grapes for Lemond. It would be insane not to respect him for what he did during his career, but really, I don't care one bit for the rest of him.

And yes, I am one of the idotic group who refuses to buy Lemond, namely because of all of this. I think Lemond is a child, and I don't want him to receive a dime of my money. I'm sure I could find something else out there that would fit just as well, and ride just as nice if it came down to it.

I would like to say I am a fan of both, so as to be a fan of American cycling in general, but for Greg to come out and make some of those statements about Lance, all I see is a man who is angry that his name has been eclipsed by Armstrong. It is just a case of sour grapes for Lemond. It would be insane not to respect him for what he did during his career, but really, I don't care one bit for the rest of him.

And yes, I am one of the idotic group who refuses to buy Lemond, namely because of all of this. I think Lemond is a child, and I don't want him to receive a dime of my money. I'm sure I could find something else out there that would fit just as well, and ride just as nice if it came down to it.


My thoughts exactly....good job!

I appreciate what both of these athletes have done for the sport of cycling. They have both put America on the cycling map. At the same time, only one of them has come off as an idiot due to uncalled for (IMHO) comments on the other. I won't boycott LeMond cycles, as I have ridden one and liked it. But I will say that there is a Trek by my door. :)

Some of the so called comments made by Lemond have been taken out of context.

I'm glad that they're both retired (or soon to be retired), so that the torch can be passed on to ME.

whoop, whoop, whoop, whoop, whoop!!!!

I appreciate what both of these athletes have done for the sport of cycling. They have both put America on the cycling map. At the same time, only one of them has come off as an idiot due to uncalled for (IMHO) comments on the other. I won't boycott LeMond cycles, as I have ridden one and liked it. But I will say that there is a Trek by my door. :)

I just wonder what all of these people who think his comments are so awful will do if it is found that LeMond is right. I hope he is wrong too, but I will let both of these men have their say. I guess I may be a bit partial being that I remember when LeMond was the idol of American cycling...I admit it :D

I am also looking at a new Trek (Mtn bike). I just liked the fit of the LeMond roadie better and, to be honest, I had never even seen a LeMond bike before I started shopping.

My only thought on that is maybe LeMond should have had proof before he opened his mouth. Maybe then it wouldn't sound like a case of sour grapes.

Lemond does come off as abit of a crybaby but who knows what he has seen/heard about Lance.He has been shooting off his mouth for years..Lemond was great for American cycling and who knows what he would have done with the an American team that featured him and a brother in law that knew the difference between he and a bovine..I have a hard time believing that there could have been a US postal team without him as a forerunner..And then how could any fan not like Lance ??

I thought they were turkey hunting....

Whenever I think about Greg Lemond, I remember him in the historic time trial in the TdF where he hammered like a madman and took the lead from Laurent Fignon. When Fignon finished the TT knowing that he would most likely lose the whole race, he collapsed in despair on the ground. That look of elation and victory on Greg's face when he put on the yellow jersey that day is something I use to inspire me when I'm having a hard time motivating myself to train.

The accusations and bickering between Greg and Lance are trivial and have little bearing on what I think of both of them. They are both heroes in my book. That said, I don't think I'll ever buy a Lemond bike, but only because I already have 7 bikes in my garage and don't have room for an 8th!

Smoothie "I thought they were turkey hunting"

Youre right.. And thats even worse!... But according to many here Gregs abit of a turkey so maybe he wasnt that far off.. :)

My thoughts exactly....good job!

Except not the objective point of view I was asking about.

My only thought on that is maybe LeMond should have had proof before he opened his mouth. Maybe then it wouldn't sound like a case of sour grapes.

Proof?!?! What proof do others have regarding many other athletes accused of other transgressions? I saw the interview and I don't recall LeMond saying "Lance is dirty, I know it." What I do recall him saying is that "if Lance is not dirty then it is the biggest feat in cycfling history, but if he is dirty then it is the biggest fraud." That WOULD be the case, don't you think?

On the other hand, Lance is an incredible athlete, but is saying that "I am the most tested athlete in the world and I have never tested dirty" the same as saying "I am absolutely clean and have never taken any performance enhancing drugs." Semantics maybe...food for thought, yes indeed.

I am really trying very hard to see both sides, and I hope I don't get skewered in the process. I greatly admire both of these men.

Brian

Whenever I think about Greg Lemond, I remember him in the historic time trial in the TdF where he hammered like a madman and took the lead from Laurent Fignon. When Fignon finished the TT knowing that he would most likely lose the whole race, he collapsed in despair on the ground. That look of elation and victory on Greg's face when he put on the yellow jersey that day is something I use to inspire me when I'm having a hard time motivating myself to train.

The accusations and bickering between Greg and Lance are trivial and have little bearing on what I think of both of them. They are both heroes in my book. That said, I don't think I'll ever buy a Lemond bike, but only because I already have 7 bikes in my garage and don't have room for an 8th!

I couldn't have said it better myself, except for the bike buying part, since I have a LeMond. I don't have 7 bikes yet but I am working in getting my fourth and fifth soon.

OH MY GOD....THE BUG HAS GOTTEN ME!!! :D

Smoothie "I thought they were turkey hunting"

Youre right.. And thats even worse!... But according to many here Gregs abit of a turkey so maybe he wasnt that far off.. :)

Well I have to admit...cyclists are the funniest people. I think that the idea of being in such close proximity to 2-3000 lb machines everyday, with angry humans inside of them makes us that way :D

Oh, semantics..maybe...but it seems more like pointing out the proof of innocence than avoidance...

Too often, these discussions degenerate into a flag waving, political exercise. Criticism of Armstrong is quickly transmuted into xenophobia and vague assertions about "the French", or foreigners in general.

I applaud baj32161 for trying to avoid the worst of this.

History diminishes the immense influence of Lemond on cycle sport in the USA and beyond. Armstrong has taken this to another level, in an age of media saturation. They are clearly the giants of American cycling.

The idea that Armstrong is either miraculous, or a fraud, is the essential kernel of his legend and it is perfectly legitimate for Lemond to mention it. It isn't polite, of course......

baj32161 , I agree and I ride a Trek and I ride a LeMond, but not at the same time. :)

baj32161 , I agree and I ride a Trek and I ride a LeMond, but not at the same time. :)

Well that would be quite a feat...actually...four of them :rolleyes:

I know, I know :D

I appreciate what both of these athletes have done for the sport of cycling. They have both put America on the cycling map. At the same time, only one of them has come off as an idiot due to uncalled for (IMHO) comments on the other. I won't boycott LeMond cycles, as I have ridden one and liked it. But I will say that there is a Trek by my door. :)

I don't see how his comments could be construed as uncalled for when he was specifically asked about this issue. Has it come to the point where people's opinions are only uncalled for when we don't happen to like, or agree with them?

Just a thought.

Brian.

Well that would be quite a feat...actually...four of them :rolleyes:

I know, I know :D
Well I tried to understand but the only thing that comes to mind is "Bike Orgy" :) And again I am still not completely awake yet.

Edit: Oh Wait - I get it. Slow.

LeMond and Armstrong are two individual people whom apparently don't get along too well. While I guess that's unfortunate I agree wholeheartedly with the "trivial" assessment. After all, the only connection I have to these people is that I'm a fan of the sport they both excelled in. I've never met either and unless I stand in some autograph line some day I'm not likely to ever meet either of them. Whom they get along with, or not is meaningless information to me.

I can clearly remember when LeMond won his first Tour. He'll always be the first. I can remember when ABC's Wide World of Sports broadcasted, on delay and after announcing the result, '89 TT. Despite ABC's best efforts to ruin it it is still one of the best sport's moments I've seen.

There's no denying LA's greatness and while I'm enough of a retro grouch to wish he had raced longer seasons his dominance in TdF is indisputable. I don't know if 6 or maybe 7 wins will last forever but it may well last the rest of my lifetime (hopefully, awhile yet :) )

The point? I could care less if they don't like each other. I've enjoyed watching the careers of both.

I do like LeMond bikes btw. I find that for me his ideas on frame geometry work extremely well. Well enough to get me off a beloved Colnago anyways.



:beer:

Too often, these discussions degenerate into a flag waving, political exercise. Criticism of Armstrong is quickly transmuted into xenophobia and vague assertions about "the French", or foreigners in general.

I applaud baj32161 for trying to avoid the worst of this.

History diminishes the immense influence of Lemond on cycle sport in the USA and beyond. Armstrong has taken this to another level, in an age of media saturation. They are clearly the giants of American cycling.

The idea that Armstrong is either miraculous, or a fraud, is the essential kernel of his legend and it is perfectly legitimate for Lemond to mention it. It isn't polite, of course......

Thanks for the love....I really am a huge fan of both of these men. As an American cycling fan who is in my mid 40s, I remember Greg LeMond when he was an idol of mine. Has Lance supplanted him?...no, but he has taken a place right alongside him on MY podium. I just don't see how an American cycling fan could not find a way to be a fan of both of them. I agree wtih others who believe that there would be no Lance Armstrong as we know him, no USPS team and no interest in American cycling in general without Greg LeMond.

I now open myself up to the slings and arrows I feel coming.

Brian

LeMond and Armstrong are two individual people whom apparently don't get along too well. While I guess that's unfortunate I agree wholeheartedly with the "trivial" assessment. After all, the only connection I have to these people is that I'm a fan of the sport they both excelled in. I've never met either and unless I stand in some autograph line some day I'm not likely to ever meet either of them. Whom they get along with, or not is meaningless information to me.

I can clearly remember when LeMond won his first Tour. He'll always be the first. I can remember when ABC's Wide World of Sports broadcasted, on delay and after announcing the result, '89 TT. Despite ABC's best efforts to ruin it it is still one of the best sport's moments I've seen.

There's no denying LA's greatness and while I'm enough of a retro grouch to wish he had raced longer seasons his dominance in TdF is indisputable. I don't know if 6 or maybe 7 wins will last forever but it may well last the rest of my lifetime (hopefully, awhile yet :) )

The point? I could care less if they don't like each other. I've enjoyed watching the careers of both.

I do like LeMond bikes btw. I find that for me his ideas on frame geometry work extremely well. Well enough to get me off a beloved Colnago anyways.



:beer:

I think I would sleep with a Colnago if I had one :D

When people base there opinions on printed material there can be a lot lost in the translation or can be taken out of context. Read the posts on Greg's trial and it will bear out the facts, to boycott Lemond's bikes is rather short sighted IMHO. Any one here read a article in the newspaper about a event that you were personaly at, doesn't always come across as the same occurrence. No slings and arrows from this Greg and Lance fan.

Neither of them got me into cycling. If neither of them had ever raced, I'd still be on a road bike.

I got into cycling because my parents always made sure I had a mountain bike as a kid and teen (and I rode the piss out of them offroad). Trek was on my radar when they teamed with VW to produce a Trek-badged model (I'm a VW guy). I wanted a Trek MTB back then. I had no idea about and couldn't care less about Lance then.

I got into road bikes when my (now ex-) girlfriend bought me a Trek hybrid that I quickly learned was unsuitable for my old mountain bike trails but performed well enough on the roads.

Then I bought a Lemond.

Neither of them got me into cycling. If neither of them had ever raced, I'd still be on a road bike.

I got into cycling because my parents always made sure I had a mountain bike as a kid and teen (and I rode the piss out of them offroad). Trek was on my radar when they teamed with VW to produce a Trek-badged model (I'm a VW guy). I wanted a Trek MTB back then. I had no idea about and couldn't care less about Lance then.

I got into road bikes when my (now ex-) girlfriend bought me a Trek hybrid that I quickly learned was unsuitable for my old mountain bike trails but performed well enough on the roads.

Then I bought a Lemond.

Which LeMond did you get? Just curious.

Which LeMond did you get? Just curious.

2005 Reno.

2005 Reno.

Hey congrats..my choice was between that and the Etape, but the mgr of the shop showed me a 2004 Tourmalet and I was a goner once I rode it.

I like to see some other LeMond riders out here

Cheers,

Brian

No, Brian, people can make any comments they want to. And then they can live with the consequences and repercussions of their statements. There are many people who will not buy a LeMond bike now, because of the opinions expressed. It is nothing to me one way or the other, just stating my observations.

No, Brian, people can make any comments they want to. And then they can live with the consequences and repercussions of their statements. There are many people who will not buy a LeMond bike now, because of the opinions expressed. It is nothing to me one way or the other, just stating my observations.

Exactly my point as well, however, I do not believe any opinion is uncalled for when someone asks you for it, as it was in this case. I have no problem with anyone not liking his opinion, I don't expect everyone to. I don't necessarily like it either, and I did say his comments were unfortunate. Now, having said it AGAIN, it just seems to be that there has been much ado about nothing. And now MY opinion, for which I am likely to be hammered is that the bike buying issue is childish, especially since LeMond is owned by Trek.
I once had a friend that rooted for a certain NASCAR driver because he drove a Ford. When his contract ran out and he was picked up by a Chevy team she suddenly hated him. That is a bit of what this sounds like to me (silly). By the way...she also drove a Ford. Maybe I am crazy though, I've had worse things said about me.

Your observations are appreciated, afterall this is what I asked for, but please don't take my comments as a personal attack. I do not mean them that way.