Professional Cycling - Congratulations & Thank You, Lance

We're sorry to see you go but thanks for the memories, man!

May you be as great in the next phase of your life as you were in the last.

55/Rad

yep

Lance gave me the ultimate example on how to respond to adversity and to live life to its fullest. Thank you Lance!

As someone who just finished chemo, radiation and surgery after a year of grueling treatment, I can say that Lance was my inspiration to tough it out and break through.

Vive le Lance!

Agree with Bontrager's comments. Im gonna miss him racing, no-one can control the field and attack the way he does so consistantly and that will be a skill sorely missed.

Good to hear your on the mend Laguna.

Many congraduatlions for a fellow Texan and one fine man no matter where he would have been raised. Time and time again Lance has shown that anything is possible when you put everything that you are behind reaching a goal. Even when no one believed in him, he believed, and that is a lesson that many people need to take notice of. As a cancer surviver myself, you are a hero and an inspiration to everyone, from the young to the old, in cycling and in everyday life. Cheers!

I loved the comment he made on the podium, something like, "to all you that don't believe in cycling, don't think this is a sport, don't think it's hard work: I feel sorry for you!"

Congrats, Lance, on a truly awesome accomplishment and a wonderful end to a great career. You'll be missed (but maybe not by Basso & Ullrich!) :)

His contribution to cycling and his intergrity and commitment to his foundation makes me feel he IS worthy of the term hero.
Not only a momentous icon in sports, he is a inspiration to many people.
I'm tickled that probably the greatest sporting achivement of my lifetime was done by a cyclist..I'm a cyclist too!
Can't wait to watch Basso & Ullrich fight it out next year.
I'm going to wear my yellow wicking shirt today mtb'ing to celebrate his win.
Have not had a sports hero since I was a kid.

To LANCE! :beer: You ARE the best.

My waxing poetic about saying goodbye to Lance:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=124504

(Temp just hit 100 here in the Milwaukee area. Geesh...glad I got my ride in when it was only 98 today) :p

A sweet day for many people and fans. Lance and the postal and discovery teams were wonderful to watch. :)

Lance, I've followed your career since standing in the stinking heat at the Barcelona Olympics, when you won the World Championship at a young age, when you won your first Tour stage, when you inspired us all with your victory to commemorate Fabio, when I announced via email list to my university's bike club that I'd heard you had cancer, when you won your first Tour, when you wrote your books... when my mother and mother-in-law both fought cancer (and, sadly both lost). You mean a lot to a lot of people, Lance, and for that we thank you. You are THE MAN. Keep living strong, Lance!

I loved the comment he made on the podium, something like, "to all you that don't believe in cycling, don't think this is a sport, don't think it's hard work: I feel sorry for you!"



Was that quote from Lance a vague reference to those that earlier suspected his use of enhancing drugs? He has *never* failed a drug test, has he?

Was that quote from Lance a vague reference to those that earlier suspected his use of enhancing drugs? He has *never* failed a drug test, has he?

I think it's a reference to the idiots in cars who have tried to run him off the road over the years? or to the droves of people who think that "bikes are for kids"? (<--- guesses)

There would be no "simplyred the cyclist" without Lance. I only discovered cycling last year because of his epic story. Granted, I could never really see it and only hear about it in articles and journals. Thank you Lance for inspiring me to ride.

We've all been given amazing gifts - bodies; and most of us lie around and do nothing with it. Look at Lance, look at what the human mind & body is capable of. He has shown me what complete & absolute dedication to something is.

No matter which way you look at his story - to downplaying or over-dramatizing his cancer & his accomplishments; this guy is a real hero to me regardless. His LiveStrong message runs deep in my veins and I'm going to carry it to my grave.

Thanks Lance,
-Peter

More bikes are a good thing. Lance got a lot of people riding and has helped immesurably to elevate the status of cycling, both racing and recreational, in the US. Now if we can get him to come back and do a few bike vs. auto saftey public service commercials.... Amazing career. We're not likely to something like it again in our lifetimes. Thank you LA.

indeed. thanks for the inspiration.

Was that quote from Lance a vague reference to those that earlier suspected his use of enhancing drugs? He has *never* failed a drug test, has he?
Better late than never: there's now a thread on just that bit: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=124801

Happy trails big guy. Hope to bump into you out on a ride some day. ;)

Is it an embarrassment for a 44 year old man, like myself, to have a hero? In this case, I think not!
Lance has been an inspiration to so many people, and althogh I have been a cycling fan for 25 years, Lance's story has been the story of a true champion. So many more etlie athletes can learn so much from him, as can we all.

Thank you Lance and may your future be as bright as your past!!

Thank You LANCE!!