Professional Cycling - Lance's official farewell message.

Did he make one at the final ceremony or will he make one somewhere else?

He spoke on the podium. Was quite suprising and interesting to say the least.

Here is a small portion of it...
"Finally, the last thing I'll say for the people who don't believe in cycling -- the cynics, the skeptics -- I'm sorry for you, I'm sorry you can't dream big and I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. But this is one hell of a race, this is a great sporting event and you should stand around and believe." - Lance Armstrong

My new sig!

you'd think with 7 years to think about it he could of come up with something better. i also think it would have been nice if he at least tried to thank the french in their own language.

you'd think with 7 years to think about it he could of come up with something better. i also think it would have been nice if he at least tried to thank the french in their own language.
i thought it was weak, too, but it might not have been planned? the tv guys said it had never been allowed before?

Lance says 'hell' alot.

7 years racing in France and millions of dollars and he couldn't have taken some private french lessons somewhere along the line?

Lance would have help endear the french people if he made a sentiment in French. Albeit just a small phrase.

Lance would have help endear the french people if he made a sentiment in French. Albeit just a small phrase.He said "vive le tour"... LOL

7 years racing in France and millions of dollars and he couldn't have taken some private french lessons somewhere along the line?

I thought it took a lot of time, rather than a lot of money, to learn a language.
He routinely does French interviews.

He said "vive le tour"... LOL

You kidding! Lance said that? :eek:

A couple more words and I would have confused Lance with Gerard Depardieu.

He speaks French but now says he's hesitant to do so because the French press are quick to pick up on any linguistic mistake he makes and have at times used that to poke fun at him.

I thought he could have had something prepared in French. But where he really messed up was in not having something prepared to say about Basso and Ullrich. He really put his foot in it. Either prepare something to say, or don't say anything at all, because it is a rare person who can ride 2,000+ miles in three weeks and then get up in front of millions at your retirement party and say something off the cuff that is deep and profound, let alone just comprehendible.

This is just typical LA- he is NOT someone that is gifted with the ability to impromptu a speech. I thought it was fitting and though a bit stilted, it was appropriate. He had something to say about Basso and Ullrich, addressing Ullrich first and Basso second. I don't think anyone thought Hinault was going to shove a mic in front of LA, and when they did, he said a few words in honor of the Tour and the men standing aside him.

I don't blame him for not speaking french either if they typically took his remarks out of context too. Say it in english and let the french figure out how to translate it correctly, but at least if they misquote him, we all know what LA really said and he'll have the english media there to fight the battle and correct the misquote. You can only get burned so many times before you decide to something in a way that prevents the burn from happening again.

Again, when has LA gotten on television and NOT been prosaic? He's not that charismatic live... we all know that. I thought it was a perfectly acceptable speech that emphasized his retirement. It's the best he could do.

Besides, I hate scripted speeches. I think he probably would do worse with the script than if he just said what came from his heart and his head.

Koffee

i liked his speech.if he spoke in French i wouldnt understand it :(

"this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it"
i like that line.

Not at all a flame on anyone, but am I correct in understanding that we expect more in terms of intelligent speech discourse from an athlete than we do from the standing US President? After all, the President was re-elected... These priorities mystify me...

Not at all a flame on anyone, but am I correct in understanding that we expect more in terms of intelligent speech discourse from an athlete than we do from the standing US President? After all, the President was re-elected... These priorities mystify me...

wrong forum but well said. :D

Mark

I really idolize LA, and so I wish he could think on his feet a bit better. During extemporaneous interviews, I'm always cringing just a little bit at his awkwardness. I also was not thrilled with one of the earlier interviews with S. Crow.

At this point, he has the potential to make megabucks with endorsements. Since image is everything, maybe he needs more coaching to cope with the media.

at this point LA has already made millions being just the way he is. i dont think being a better interview or public speaker would make him a "richer" man. later.

In Sports Illustrated he's said a few times that he's all done with any attempt to suck up to the French press by speaking French or any other ploys. I think that's great. Were I a Frenchman willing to give him a fair shake, I'd be insulted at the idea that he thought he could win me over by speaking French, especially badly. I really doubt the French attitude could be changed by cynically sucking up that way.

Some of the French hate him, some of them don't care and a few love the guy. That's never going to change. Let him speak whatever language he wishes.

I don't know what anyone expected in terms of a "better" speech, either? Flowery flourishes? Rhetorical brilliance? That's not what the occasion called for, folks.

I don't know what anyone expected in terms of a "better" speech, either? Flowery flourishes? Rhetorical brilliance? That's not what the occasion called for, folks.

Just something logical.

When he started talking about the "cynics and the skeptics" I literally couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Maybe a reference to earlier accusations of using enhancing drugs? Not expecting captain of the Oxford debate team -- just something simple, logical, and heartfelt.

When he started talking about the "cynics and the skeptics" I literally couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Maybe a reference to earlier accusations of using enhancing drugs? Not expecting captain of the Oxford debate team -- just something simple, logical, and heartfelt.

Sometimes he talks about portions of the media that speak too cynically about pro cycling. Almost always on the subject of drugs... not only accusations towards Armstrong, but to various teams, and the whole peloton.

I think it is really cool the way he has talked about it. When he says how much he keeps up with cycling events that have little to no direct relevancy to him, and saying he will want to keep watching the sport and maybe even participating with a team as a non-rider. He could, but doesn't give off a bad hint by saying he doesn't really care to watch the sport... it would seem like 'this sport is tainted, and I'd rather not watch riders compete over who dopes the most'.

At this point, he has the potential to make megabucks with endorsements. Since image is everything, maybe he needs more coaching to cope with the media.

Maybe he'll learn over time but I kind of doubt it. Lance has never been a great spokesperson (especially for something formal) even when he has something pre-prepared (is that even a word?) to say. Think about his commercial endorsements. He's lucky to get through one line in them. Most of his latest commercials has a two or three word phrase and some don't have him say anything at all.

...
I don't know what anyone expected in terms of a "better" speech, either? Flowery flourishes? Rhetorical brilliance? That's not what the occasion called for, folks.
Exactly. The speech was impromptu, and, actually I am glad he identified that there are many that are cynical about the sport and its popularity. Even if one more rider decides to try cycling, the speech had meaning

LA is the best cyclist in the world right now (I know that is debatable) and I don't think having the gift of gab is a strong qualification for that crown. And for thinking on his feet, well just watch the chess game on most stages. Watch the patience, the diligence and the planned and well rehersed steps. He thinks well. That is one of the strong traits of Lance. Most of that effort was spent on the bike where it really counts.

As for Basso and Jan, LA extended enormouse respect for both riders many times during the past years, especially Jan. For Lance to repeatedly say than Jan is his most feared opponent is saying a ton.

You guys want a cycling hero or a politition?

Exactly. The speech was impromptu, and, actually I am glad he identified that there are many that are cynical about the sport and its popularity. Even if one more rider decides to try cycling, the speech had meaning

Agreed. The last part of that speech rocked. I also think it's interesting that OLN aired a couple of little interviews by Gretzky and Woods as if to try and use their "connection" of popular sports (in the US) to better legitimise cycling as a sport to the general public. I wonder if there's any connection between that and the last part of Lance's speech.

You guys want a cycling hero or a politition?


Exactly -- sure, a speech writer (or Lance, himself) could sit down and craft an absolutely brilliant farewell speech, but that was not the point. The podium speech was not intended to be (nor should it have been) Lance's first and last word on the sport of cycling. The context of the speech was impromptu, more along the lines of a toast, not a state of the union address.

And I don't think he's bad on his feet. I actually think he chooses his words very well when I have heard him speak. I've never cringed the way I do when Bush speaks.

If I were a public speaking coach, my only criticism was that he apparently responded to some jestering from the audience standing below him, when he chose to speak first to Ulrich and second to Basso. As a television viewer (99.9999% of the audience) I was not even aware of any hubbub coming from the crowd. I would have chosen to ignore it.

Just something logical.

When he started talking about the "cynics and the skeptics" I literally couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Maybe a reference to earlier accusations of using enhancing drugs? Not expecting captain of the Oxford debate team -- just something simple, logical, and heartfelt.

I think he was talking about 95% of the American population who are averse to spandex and dont know anything about racing...

I like honest straight atchya speeches..

I thought it took a lot of time, rather than a lot of money, to learn a language.
He routinely does French interviews.Hence 'private french lessons'.... and '7 years'...

He did begin by saying he was doing it in English because his French wasn't good enough.

Eh? What was wrong with his speech? Does everyone have to get up there and crap on for 30 minutes like they're auditioning for a part in the latest hollywood rubbish, or use 1000 flowery words to spruke the next bullsh!te softdrink? I thought it was good.

I thought, for someone in his position, with the myriad of emotions he must have been feeling, that he kept his composure rather well. He addressed his counterparts, he indicated that the fight will henceforth have to go on without him, and he acknowledged his team and sponsors. That's prettymuch what anyone in his position would have done.

I did shed a giggle when I thought how most of France must have been cringing to have the Star Spangled Banner being blasted across their capital city... oh, the irony...
and I'm neither French nor American :p

Hence 'private french lessons'.... and '7 years'...

Hence get off it dude.

Lance, as well as all pro's, all speak multiple languages. I saw lance, in the background while another was being interviewed on OLN, years ago giving an interview in french. Sounded good to me. If you speak french, and have in france, then I"m sure you are aware of what kind of buttheads they are about their language. You could take 20 years of 'private french lessons' and still give fodder to the press if thats what their goal was.

Lance would have help endear the french people if he made a sentiment in French. Albeit just a small phrase.

Let's see...

He's harrassed about taxes (where the French authorities accused him of not giving away his Tour winning share to his team and keeping it, when not only did he do that, but put in an extra fifty grand per rider on top of that) so badly he has to move to Spain.
He's harrassed about drugs after years of being tested clean
Investigations without merit
Accusations without proof...
All Lance does is keep a lawfirm in BMW's due to this stuff.

Yeah, I'd be wanting to endear them...especially since L'Equipe ran, yesterday, yet another Lance doping story. "Who is Lance Armstrong?" So he reads French. He actually learned to speak it while living in Nice. That's where the "Madone" comes from.

And I lived in Europe. So don't start with me.

"Vive Le Tour"

Let's see...

He's harrassed about taxes (where the French authorities accused him of not giving away his Tour winning share to his team and keeping it, when not only did he do that, but put in an extra fifty grand per rider on top of that) so badly he has to move to Spain.
He's harrassed about drugs after years of being tested clean
Investigations without merit
Accusations without proof...
All Lance does is keep a lawfirm in BMW's due to this stuff.

Yeah, I'd be wanting to endear them...especially since L'Equipe ran, yesterday, yet another Lance doping story. "Who is Lance Armstrong?" So he reads French. He actually learned to speak it while living in Nice. That's where the "Madone" comes from.

And I lived in Europe. So don't start with me.

"Vive Le Tour"

I agree. Let's also not forget that he is after all an American. And why the french hate him so much is beyond me. I'm sure they didn't mind all of the American Tourists coming over to see Lance. I thought he ended it perfectly with "Vive le tour!"

...When he started talking about the "cynics and the skeptics" I literally couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Maybe a reference to earlier accusations of using enhancing drugs? Not expecting captain of the Oxford debate team -- just something simple, logical, and heartfelt.
according to npr this morning, that may have been a response to some articles/editorials in french newspapers that day that were critical of him, the sport, the tour???

regardless, i thought it unnecessarily negative, and when i heard it live was puzzled as to why he would use that stage and that forum at that time to go negative on anybody for anything....

Quite simply LA is a man who lets his actions speak for him. And I will go out on a limb here and state that his actions have spoken very clearly.

some people just can't win. if he had made the speach in french there would be french people on message boards trashing it, just like there are americans here trashing it.
it was an extremely emotional moment, in front of a huge live crowd, and we have no idea when he was told he'd be able to speak, he hasn't exactly had a lot of time for speech writing over the last 3 weeks. he's an athalete not a profession speaker give him a break.

I want both! I don't like politicians and like silky-smooth politicians even less ( ie: "Slick Willie"). I want to know what they think, not the speech writers and spin doctors. Vote Armstrong for Texas Gov! You think he reads this forum?

I agree. Let's also not forget that he is after all an American. And why the french hate him so much is beyond me. I'm sure they didn't mind all of the American Tourists coming over to see Lance. I thought he ended it perfectly with "Vive le tour!"

I might not know jack, but I get the impression that he is fairly popular in France. Seems to mostly be a French media thing. You know how the media can be in France, the UK, or the USA... or anywhere else.

That was a very bizarre quote. This is like a British guy being in a Super Bowl winning team, and addressing the whole audience afterwards, talking about these people who are cynical and sceptical and 'don't believe in football'

No...a British guy on a Super Bowl team might be on a team with 40 guys and would probably be the kicker. :eek: ;) ..analogy no good...

Now, the reason why he said that is (I'll say this for the 2nd time) was due to a L'Equipe article yesterday. "Who is Lance Armstrong?" and went on to basically say that the whole sport is dirty...

Like the French team, Festina? For example? The worst doping incident in the history of cycling?

Of course Verinque was a "hero" even though he was a bald faced liar...

When a British guy quarterbacks a team to seven straight Super Bowl victories, get back to us... ;)

My wife thought it was a bad speech, too, until I explained the context of his "cynics and skeptics" comments.

I thought it was pretty good - not polished, pretty clearly impromptu, but mostly heartfelt.

I wonder how the French press took the "cynics and skeptics" part?

I did shed a giggle when I thought how most of France must have been cringing to have the Star Spangled Banner being blasted across their capital city... oh, the irony...
and I'm neither French nor American :p


And judging by the possible winners of next year's TdF, they won't be hearing their national anthem for quite a while.

Is it me, or does Thomas Voeckler look a lot like kd lang?


I thought Lance's speech was just fine.

And judging by the possible winners of next year's TdF, they won't be hearing their national anthem for quite a while.

Is it me, or does Thomas Voeckler look a lot like kd lang?


I thought Lance's speech was just fine.

I totally agree.
Geez….some of you people. Let see what kind of speech you can give when its your turn…oh wait, you wont get that chance because YOURE NOT THAT GOOD! :p
The guy just put himself into the history books with a record that might not be broken for a very long time and some of you are disappointed by his speech?! Now I can understand why some people hate roadies. “I don’t like this, I don’t like that, that’s not good enough,”….whine whine whine.

If you've never seen Lance speak as a cancer survivor you've not
seen him really shine as a speaker.
Go to the Ride for the Roses, attend the Survivorship symposium
then come back here and tell me he isn't a good public speaker.
and yes, he does impromptu there (Q&A sessions).

I might not know jack, but I get the impression that he is fairly popular in France. Seems to mostly be a French media thing. You know how the media can be in France, the UK, or the USA... or anywhere else.

Hmmm, that's a good point. Media opinion certainly is no indication of public opinion.

I thought his speech was excellent in the sense that it was genuine and heartfelt. When he said, "I'll always be a fan of the Tour De France", I think he was expressing a very deep emotion that we'll only be able to imagine, it having been about half of his life. But I'm sure that it may not have come off that way to some of you.

That was the first time they let someone make a speech on the podium right?

That was the first time they let someone make a speech on the podium right?

Correct.

I think Hinault had something to do with it.

If you've never seen Lance speak as a cancer survivor you've not
seen him really shine as a speaker.
Go to the Ride for the Roses, attend the Survivorship symposium
then come back here and tell me he isn't a good public speaker.
and yes, he does impromptu there (Q&A sessions).


Absolutely. Last time I saw him was here in Indianapolis during the stop in the Tour of Hope. He was there with Dr. Einhorn. My wife was with me. She lost both her parents to cancer, several relatives...I lost two cousins both under 45 years old to ovarian cancer. I don't get emotional about much...but that got me.
I actually met Lance one on one not long after he won his first Tour. It was at a cocktail party for an awards ceremony where a lot of people were being honored. Hardly anybody knew him. We were just standing and talking about the '99 tour and I asked him about the Sestriere stage...how difficult that was in the weather. He chuckled and said, after chemo, climbing a mountain on a bike is nothing.