Professional Cycling For the Fans - Armstong targets eighth Tour win

he's just trying to piss me off.

Me too. If he goes for the 8th, the Lance poster is coming off the back of the garage wall. :p

i assume everyone's read the quote on Armtrong's site:


by Mark Higgins, CSE:

We have been getting a lot of calls on the Lance comments from today's Austin American Statesman.

Here is a statement from Lance regarding his career:

"While I'm absolutely enjoying my time as a retired athlete with Sheryl and the kids, the recent smear campaign out of France has awoken my competitive side. I'm not willing to put a percentage on the chances but I will no longer rule it out..." - Lance Armstrong

Alright! guess this means Ullrich has one final chance to prove he can win.

Now now Jan, don't get all excited and fly through a car window this time.

Why did he say he would round out his palmares and contemplate the
hour record and then a few months later say he was retiring?
That's always confused me.

I like Lance. I think he's great. I'm glad he won seven in a row. If he comes back to the TDF, I hope he gets beat like a government mule.

:roflmao:....

Le pwn3d!

It's totally polluted the cycling and popular press because the press is too poorly informed to write about anything else. OK, a great cyclist, but I could give two ****s about the cult of Lance.

Even the cycling press? Like Cycle Sport, Velonews, and Pro Cycling?

I am shocked to learn that these astute members of the press, albeit the cycling press, are so enamoured with Lance that you cannot find a single article outside of that worth reading.

But then if you get your cycling information from the local sports page, that would explain a lot of things....

Even if he does mean it, he had better arrange an agreement between the UCI and the GTs. If not, he can't be on a Pro Tour team to race the TdF. And with the second string (possibly) racing it, he probably won't want to anyway.

Oh BTW, Euronews has been saying all day that if his 1999 TdF win is removed, he will only be a record tier, not a record setter. I love the accuracy standards of the press these days.

Even if he does mean it, he had better arrange an agreement between the UCI and the GTs. If not, he can't be on a Pro Tour team to race the TdF. And with the second string (possibly) racing it, he probably won't want to anyway.

Oh BTW, Euronews has been saying all day that if his 1999 TdF win is removed, he will only be a record tier, not a record setter. I love the accuracy standards of the press these days.

If Lance's reason to come back for an 8th is just to piss off the French and Equipe, that's just pathetic and would show what a petty person he is. In fact, I am not surprised looking back at the Simeoni incident. Why not just forget France where he is not appreciated and enjoy the years that he's got left after all the abuse that he has put on his body.

Why go for an 8th when everyone knows that he cheated on the 1st?

Ok question:

Isn't L'Equipe owned the organizing body of the TdF? (the answer to this one is yes http://www.aso.fr/2005/orga_us.html)

Who would have more to gain from LA coming back for #8?

Along the lines of the above, if LA wanted #8 don't you think Discovery would put the pressure on the UCI and other teams to get together with the grand tours?

Why go for an 8th when everyone knows that he cheated on the 1st?

Who’s everyone?
I don’t know it.
You don’t know it.
Sure, there is plenty of speculation, but there has been no proof... and don’t say questionable evidence from a dodgy French lab and claims from a rag of a French newspaper are proof.

If LA want to really piss off the French, he should give one of his yellow jerseys to W :D

That would piss off alot of Americans too though :)

"Merde!" - Jan Ulrich.

Future headline in l'Equipe.

Or in his native language: "Scheiße!"


Oops already posted. :o

Who’s everyone?
I don’t know it.
You don’t know it.
Sure, there is plenty of speculation, but there has been no proof... and don’t say questionable evidence from a dodgy French lab and claims from a rag of a French newspaper are proof.

Of course everyone does not include Lance fans who thinks that Lance is just a victim of jealous french people. If people think that 6 blood samples are not proof enough (the lab is willing to perform DNA testing on each one of them), nothing else can convince them anyways.

There are a lot of things that we don't see with our own eyes. But nothing prevents people from believing in them. God is a good example.

All I know is I got slammed pretty hard for saying that Lance would be back by a large majority of this board.

Very limited athletes have gone out on top and stayed away. hes still strong enough to win and now he has motivation to do so. Very lethal combination.

All I know is I got slammed pretty hard for saying that Lance would be back by a large majority of this board.

Very limited athletes have gone out on top and stayed away. hes still strong enough to win and now he has motivation to do so. Very lethal combination.


I predict he'll come back and win his 8th with a vengeance.

Yup, just ask Salvodelli. Dooh. Sorry, you do have a good point, but I just couldn't help myself. :)
can someone explain how the climbs in the giro/vuelta dont suit armstrong but the TdF climbs do?


Thanks,
Rich

I predict he'll come back and win his 8th with a vengeance.


He can't come back because he never left! He only rides a few races annually and hasn't really missed anything he wouldn't skip normally.

I believe that all riders should commit to their samples being tested for 10 years after competition and all records and winning being subject to removal and recovery. If you're clean whats the worry...A and B samples should be kept for 10 years.

LA has shown a remarkable ability to channel anger/frustrations into winning...that seems to be just as much FOR him as against others ie. the French. Every strength is a weakness and every weakness a strength. I for one am ready for cycling to move on, hopefully to more focus on the ProTour or at least as much as the TDF gets...consistency and support of the sport as a whole ranks high in my book!

I really hope this doesn't happen. I respect him enormously but GOD I am sick of him!!!! It would be like one of those rock bands that has endless farewell tours.

I want Basso or Jan to win!

Or in his native language: "Scheiße!"


Oops already posted. :o
Merci, quand meme. C'est difficile d'etre un polyglot dans une monde anglophone! ;)

I really hope this doesn't happen. It would be like one of those rock bands that has endless farewell tours.

Yes... he'd become the Cher of the cycling world.

So basically what Lance is saying is, "I really want to spend time with my children, be a dad and a new husband... unless someone calls me names. Then... watch out!"

Stay retired, Lance. You've given us one of the most inspiring stories in all of sports. Thank you for that. The people who believe you still believe you... your fans, your family, your friends, your fiancee, and millions of cancer survivors around the world. You've got nothing to prove to them, to yourself, and least of all to L'Equipe.

You really want to piss 'em off? Stay retired.

So basically what Lance is saying is, "I really want to spend time with my children, be a dad and a new husband... unless someone calls me names. Then... watch out!"

.

Now he's a bad father... :rolleyes:

Now he's a bad father... :rolleyes:

Nope... I'm sure he's a great father. I wish he was my dad. Those are the some of the reasons he gave for retiring. I'm not saying the guy can't change his mind. Lance is gonna do what Lance is gonna do. I just hope he stays retired.

Why did he say he would round out his palmares and contemplate the
hour record and then a few months later say he was retiring?
That's always confused me.

It might have had something to do with knowing about that article being written.


All I know is I got slammed pretty hard for saying that Lance would be back by a large majority of this board.

No one expected that information would be leaked showing that Armstrong used EPO in one of his Tour victories either. It sort of changed things.

...Why go for an 8th when everyone knows that he cheated on the 1st?

Amazing. Liars do what liars do...they lie and lie and lie. The lab that had sole custody of the samples from 1999 and ran the retroactive tests in 2004 said L'Equipe is NOT telling the truth. The lab says that it is IMPOSSIBLE to link their results to a given rider.

But, who cares about the truth? The world's losers have just one real interest in life: slandering life's winners.

I wish he was my dad.

Of course you would. Then you would be filthy rich. :D

Amazing. Liars do what liars do...they lie and lie and lie. The lab that had sole custody of the samples from 1999 and ran the retroactive tests in 2004 said L'Equipe is NOT telling the truth. The lab says that it is IMPOSSIBLE to link their results to a given rider.

But, who cares about the truth? The world's losers have just one real interest in life: slandering life's winners.

If that's true (and who am I to say it isn't) then what does he have to prove? Sounds to me like he's scared of life after cycling. I cheered him on for his last race, assuming it was to be his last. If he doesn't stick to his word and stay retired, I will be hoping that he doesn't even place in the top three. That ego will ultimately be his downfall.

Amazing. Liars do what liars do...they lie and lie and lie. The lab that had sole custody of the samples from 1999 and ran the retroactive tests in 2004 said L'Equipe is NOT telling the truth. The lab says that it is IMPOSSIBLE to link their results to a given rider.



Do you have some sort of link for this?

If that's true (and who am I to say it isn't) then what does he have to prove? Sounds to me like he's scared of life after cycling. I cheered him on for his last race, assuming it was to be his last. If he doesn't stick to his word and stay retired, I will be hoping that he doesn't even place in the top three. That ego will ultimately be his downfall.


Would have to agree, he really has nothing to gain and all to lose. Will the nay sayers give LA his props if he wins an 8th tdf? NOPE. Will they jump down his throat if he gets second or lower? You betcha.

I think the true test of his character (not his cycling ability) is how he copes with retirement.

It would be wise for LA to remain retired at the top of his game. What a shame to come out of retirement only to lose the TdF throne. On the other hand, if Lance has what it takes, he should go for the GRAND SLAM in 2006, i.e., World Road Championship, Giro d' Italia, Tour day France, AND Vuelta a España!!!!! These combined victories would SHUT UP all critics and doubters once and for all!!! :crash: :beer:

Now back to reality....... :D

Amazing. Liars do what liars do...they lie and lie and lie. The lab that had sole custody of the samples from 1999 and ran the retroactive tests in 2004 said L'Equipe is NOT telling the truth. The lab says that it is IMPOSSIBLE to link their results to a given rider.

But, who cares about the truth? The world's losers have just one real interest in life: slandering life's winners.

I am not sure about your source. Anyways, a simple DNA test will solve the problem. But then, who cares. Armstrong was on level playing field with his competitors. Since most pro riders have access to EPO. Bjarne Riis was called Mr. 60% because of his obvious use of EPO, nobody is trying to take away his tdf title.

Amazing. Liars do what liars do...they lie and lie and lie. The lab that had sole custody of the samples from 1999 and ran the retroactive tests in 2004 said L'Equipe is NOT telling the truth. The lab says that it is IMPOSSIBLE to link their results to a given rider.

But, who cares about the truth? The world's losers have just one real interest in life: slandering life's winners.

Yep...

Absolutely...

It would be wise for LA to remain retired at the top of his game. What a shame to come out of retirement only to lose the TdF throne. On the other hand, if Lance has what it takes, he should go for the GRAND SLAM in 2006, i.e., World Road Championship, Giro d' Italia, Tour day France, AND Vuelta a España!!!!! These combined victories would SHUT UP all critics and doubters once and for all!!! :crash: :beer:

Now back to reality....... :D

It would be cooler to see him go for the WC plus the Giro and/or Vuelta than to see him dominate (sigh) yet another TdF.

Amazing. Liars do what liars do...they lie and lie and lie. The lab that had sole custody of the samples from 1999 and ran the retroactive tests in 2004 said L'Equipe is NOT telling the truth. The lab says that it is IMPOSSIBLE to link their results to a given rider.

But, who cares about the truth? The world's losers have just one real interest in life: slandering life's winners.

Now YOU are telling lies, or not well informed. "The lab that had sole custody of the samples from 1999 and ran the retroactive tests in 2004 said L'Equipe is NOT telling the truth. The lab says that it is IMPOSSIBLE to link their results to a given rider."

a) they never said l'Equipe is lying
b) they ( by the way "they" is Mr Jacques de Ceaurriz, head of the French lab ) said THE LAB did not have the names of the riders.

L'Equipe found the names by

a) getting hold of the lab's results ( how they did it is disputable )
b) matching them with a list of codes they probably got from French police ( old investigation of TDF 2000 involving US Postal team )

That would also explain why l'Equipe doesn't have the names of the other riders with positive tests.

Now, imagine I'm a reporter with l'Equipe. On the one hand I get a list of 12 EPO positives for 1999 ( and 40 for 1998 ) on my desk. But no names. Then I go "wait a second", and I grab the old police statements with codes matching LA's samples ( and signed by Bruyneel ). 1 + 1 = 2 !!! Now, I repeat i'm a reporter. Will I shut up, because

- LA has retired?
- LA has won 7 TDF?
- My info cannot be used to prosecute him?

No. I will call the newspaper's lawyer and ask if I'm covered by law if I announce that the results show that Armstrong cheated. And he says:

- if you are really sure, that what is in that sample is Armstrong's then go ahead.

And BANG !

Oh, by the way, Bjarne Riis was named Mr 60% ( for his hematocrit levels ) in l'Equipe. Believe me, if those reporters had had any hint of proof of Bjarne's EPO taking, they would have nailed him on their front page the way they did with Lance. They attacked him often enough, but again they couldn't prove anything.
Another one they attacked several times not only by l'Equipe, but by the italian la Gazetta dello sport, was another TDF winner, Marco Panatani ( oh yes, and now I remember again he won in 1998...remember? 40 positives?? )

this is all a conspiracy by the moderators to get bf members to use the tdf forum longer.

No one expected that information would be leaked showing that Armstrong used EPO in one of his Tour victories either. It sort of changed things.


Great athletes look for anything to bring them back, and he already said he was exercising and staying in shape prior to the article.

Spmething to prove, someone to piss off, someone to dominate, someone to make smile, it really doesnt matter. They almost always comeback.

AND I get to say I told you so if he does. :p :p

Sorry, here's a visual aid for those who can't remember before Indurain.

indeed!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b56/doghair/e506dede.jpg

Yes!
Do It Again Lance

He claims to have given up the idea many, many weeks ago. Your name Rip by any chance? ;)

I saw a recent pic of Lance and he looks incredibly fit. something tells me he is still training and eating right.

he just doesn't seem like the personality well suited for retirement and golf. I just dont count him out for 2006. Something tells me he gets bored and decides to race. Why not? he looked as good as ever last year...so even if he is 10% less he is still a threat to win.

I'm still hoping he'll go back to triathlon and starting winning IMs.

The only way he'll prove he isn't racing in the TDF is if Sheryl and he schedule the wedding for the day of the prologue.