Professional Cycling For the Fans - Lance beat cancer, and will beat the cancer on his team: Alberto "The Cancer" Conta..

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DenisMenchov
07-12-09, 04:51 AM
Warning: Possible TDF spoiler as I give out the probably winner of the tour in this discussion.

I've solved the whole AC needs a nickname problem. We can call him Alberto "The Cancer" Contador, as he fittingly is the cancer on the team, wanting to be selfish and follow his own interest on Astana destroying the team unity, rather than Lance who plays fair with no surprises, and follows the team game plan like a good soldier. But just like the cancer in the literal sense, Lance will once against beat this new breed of cancer that wants to spread itself on the Astana team, in the form of Alberto Contador.

Let's talk about Lance's position on the team.

I feel Lance has played fair the whole tour, working for the team as a fellow GC contender at this point. He even helped Levi secure his 3rd straight victory in the Tour of California earlier during his comeback by being a domestique for him. Only reason Lance gained seconds on Contador in stage 3 in the TDF is because Contador fell asleep, and Lance shouldn't have to pay for other team member's mistakes.

I think Contador took offense to Lance surpassing him in stage 3 even though it was AC's own fault that caused him to lose time on him, which is why he attacked on Stage 7. AC felt inadequate and like he had something to prove.

AC is even more stupid for attacking Lance in an early mountain stage. Don't forget that once you push your body to that limit, you are hurting yourself in the long wrong. The TDF is like an energy bank. You only have so much money in the bank at the start of the race. Eventually you will reach your withdrawal limit, and AC is on the road to learning this lesson the hard way. Fact that AC couldn't even pull that much time on Lance also makes you wonder about AC's form..is he that good? We both know that Lance and Evans is better on longer time trials. The 1st time trial was relatively short. Last one is a lot longer. Lance is better on longer time trials, and so is Evans.

Let's not forget that AC could burn himself out on the mountain stages and suffer a bad time trial at the end, especially since there is some speculation of about possible dissention among the ranks due to AC's ill advised attack. So some members may be reluctant to help AC.

Plus you got a pssed of Texan that has been known to overcome any obstacle when he's angry. One of those big obstacles that come to mind is cancer. After cancer made him angry, he won seven tours. With Alberto "The Cancer" Contador making him angry, I fear that Lance is going to unleash the pain on AC very soon. Let's hope Lance doesn't demoralize AC to the point that AC will quit early.

I didn't want to spoil the race for you guys, but that is what is probably going to happen, unless Lance crashes and gets injured.


iab
07-12-09, 09:37 AM
Were you born that stupid or did you hit your head?

Hezz
07-12-09, 01:42 PM
Warning: Possible TDF spoiler as I give out the probably winner of the tour in this discussion.

I've solved the whole AC needs a nickname problem. We can call him Alberto "The Cancer" Contador, as he fittingly is the cancer on the team, wanting to be selfish and follow his own interest on Astana destroying the team unity, rather than Lance who plays fair with no surprises, and follows the team game plan like a good soldier. But just like the cancer in the literal sense, Lance will once against beat this new breed of cancer that wants to spread itself on the Astana team, in the form of Alberto Contador.

Let's talk about Lance's position on the team.

I feel Lance has played fair the whole tour, working for the team as a fellow GC contender at this point. He even helped Levi secure his 3rd straight victory in the Tour of California earlier during his comeback by being a domestique for him. Only reason Lance gained seconds on Contador in stage 3 in the TDF is because Contador fell asleep, and Lance shouldn't have to pay for other team member's mistakes.

I think Contador took offense to Lance surpassing him in stage 3 even though it was AC's own fault that caused him to lose time on him, which is why he attacked on Stage 7. AC felt inadequate and like he had something to prove.

AC is even more stupid for attacking Lance in an early mountain stage. Don't forget that once you push your body to that limit, you are hurting yourself in the long wrong. The TDF is like an energy bank. You only have so much money in the bank at the start of the race. Eventually you will reach your withdrawal limit, and AC is on the road to learning this lesson the hard way. Fact that AC couldn't even pull that much time on Lance also makes you wonder about AC's form..is he that good? We both know that Lance and Evans is better on longer time trials. The 1st time trial was relatively short. Last one is a lot longer. Lance is better on longer time trials, and so is Evans.

Let's not forget that AC could burn himself out on the mountain stages and suffer a bad time trial at the end, especially since there is some speculation of about possible dissention among the ranks due to AC's ill advised attack. So some members may be reluctant to help AC.

Plus you got a pssed of Texan that has been known to overcome any obstacle when he's angry. One of those big obstacles that come to mind is cancer. After cancer made him angry, he won seven tours. With Alberto "The Cancer" Contador making him angry, I fear that Lance is going to unleash the pain on AC very soon. Let's hope Lance doesn't demoralize AC to the point that AC will quit early.

I didn't want to spoil the race for you guys, but that is what is probably going to happen, unless Lance crashes and gets injured.

First Lance needs to overcome the "cancer" in his own heart of taking too much offense at AC moves. In years past Lance would have done the same thing or worse being in the same position as AC. And his anger is not really wholly justified so it is a weakness rather than a strength. And by the way, Lance's cancer did not make him more angry. Sure, he had some anger at the cancer but most of his anger came from long before that. If anything his cancer made him less angry and more humble but at the same time more determined. It turned him into a more introspective and thoughtful person. Sure, he still has his faults and now he is being the same tyrant towards AC that society was towards him as a child. This has a tendency to come about when you are too concerned about winning or your position of power. And the reason this is such a big deal for Lance is because the TDF is his race. It's his baby. But guess what, It's AC's baby also.


kwrides
07-12-09, 02:21 PM
There was no cancer on this team until LA joined. There was a clear leader and they were very healthy.

Then Lance joined. Then he said he would work for the strongest rider. AC is clearly the strongest rider. Is Lance riding for him?

Now, tell us who caused the cancer?

OrionKhan
07-12-09, 02:30 PM
There was no cancer on this team until LA joined. There was a clear leader and they were very healthy.

Then Lance joined. Then he said he would work for the strongest rider. AC is clearly the strongest rider. Is Lance riding for him?

Now, tell us who caused the cancer?

A lot of people, including the media, conveniently avoid those questions.

Mr IGH
07-12-09, 03:20 PM
I doubt Lance didn't make a move 'cause he's such a great teammate. If he had it inside, he'd done it. AC did Lance a favor, Lance got to look like a good teammate while sucking wheel to survive. If Lance didn't have a wheel, it'd had been 30~40 seconds...The real test is coming, if Lance can still climb in the Alps, then I'm wrong.

Rideforroswell
07-12-09, 03:26 PM
There was no cancer on this team until LA joined. There was a clear leader and they were very healthy.

Then Lance joined. Then he said he would work for the strongest rider. AC is clearly the strongest rider. Is Lance riding for him?

Now, tell us who caused the cancer?

At what point has Lance deviated from the TEAM's plan? When has HE hurt the team? The answer.... he hasn't.

Now ask the same question about Contador.

You don't attack your own teammates like that.

OrionKhan
07-12-09, 03:33 PM
At what point has Lance deviated from the TEAM's plan? When has HE hurt the team? The answer.... he hasn't.

Now ask the same question about Contador.

You don't attack your own teammates like that.

The big problem is that the team strategy suits LA and Levi better than it does Contador. Astana could have put some serious hurt on the the other GC contenders in that stage. The idea of not wanting yellow early is foolish. They've pretty much been doing most of the work and controlling the peloton without it. This idea of waiting until the final stages to make a big move only suits LA, Levi, and the other GC contenders. If the team ramped up the pace earlier in the stage and then launched AC, he would have minutes on everyone. Does anyone really think Evans or Sastre would be a serious threat then? No. Hell, Contador gained 20 seconds in less than 2k on that climb. He should have launched earlier.

Rideforroswell
07-12-09, 03:35 PM
The big problem is that the team strategy suits LA and Levi better than it does Contador. Astana could have put some serious hurt on the the other GC contenders in that stage. The idea of not wanting yellow early is foolish. They've pretty much been doing most of the work and controlling the peloton without it. This idea of waiting until the final stages to make a big move only suits LA, Levi, and the other GC contenders. If the team ramped up the pace earlier in the stage and then launched AC, he would have minutes on everyone. Does anyone really think Evans or Sastre would be a serious threat then? No. Hell, Contador gained 20 seconds in less than 2k on that climb. He should have launched earlier.


Then AC should have joined a different team if he didn't like their strategy. I'm sure their strategy was discussed prior to stage 5.

Boleyn
07-12-09, 03:37 PM
At what point has Lance deviated from the TEAM's plan? When has HE hurt the team? The answer.... he hasn't.

Now ask the same question about Contador.

You don't attack your own teammates like that.

Armstrong hurt the team when he joined them. A year ago, Contador was the undisputed team leader, and then Lance joins. If Armstrong wanted to be a team leader when coming back from retirement, he should have joined another team. On joining Astana he should have realized Contador was the team leader - had been for at least 2 years - and that he, Armstrong, would only be a super-domestique.

IMHO Armstrong has done nothing but hurt the team since he joined. He wanted the first ITT to determine the team leadership UNTIL he only finished 4th out of his team.

OrionKhan
07-12-09, 03:49 PM
Then AC should have joined a different team if he didn't like their strategy. I'm sure their strategy was discussed prior to stage 5.

Uh, Contador was on the team first. He's won 3 grand tours in the last two years. Contador was clearly the number one rider on Astana. LA is the one that showed up after being out 4 years. He still hasn't demonstrated that he's really riding better than Levi. I repeat, Lance has not proven on the road at any point this season that he's a better rider than Alberto Contador. He's doing a fine job. Better than most had thought. But you can't honestly say that Lance is clearly the better rider. A lot of people are hoping that's the case, but they can't point out to anything definitively states that case.

If its about "winning as a team" then why isn't their strategy built around winning with their best rider. Astana was fine team well before Lance came back. Lance caused the rift. Why exactly should Contador have left? Why should Astana want him gone? He's 26 years old and clearly is going to be a GC threat for several years to come. All Lance has to do is say, "I'm here to support the team. Alberto is the number one rider we support him." If AC falters, Astana has several back up guys like Levi, Kloden, and Lance.

Why in the hell should Alberto Contador ride a strategy that best suits riders like Lance and Levi?

Sheesh, I'm not a Lance hater, but I think a lot of people are just being unreasonalble and biased in their viewing of the situation.

OrionKhan
07-12-09, 03:51 PM
He wanted the first ITT to determine the team leadership UNTIL he only finished 4th out of his team.

Exactly. He got dropped on most of the climbs at the Giro. He's still trying to get to his peak form. So the team should adapt a strategy that suits him? Doesn't make any sense. He's in the position he's in because of a fortunate break that was caused by another team tracking down a breakaway. Good for him. That's experience. But can you really count on that winning all the marbles? Contador demontrated what he can do both at the ITT and on that climb. Why should he take the back seat? I cracks me up that people avoid some painfully obvious questions.

DenisMenchov
07-12-09, 04:10 PM
LA is the one that showed up after being out 4 years. He still hasn't demonstrated that he's really riding better than Levi. I repeat, Lance has not proven on the road at any point this season that he's a better rider than Alberto Contador.

There was a point in the Giro where Lance could have went on a climb, but decided to wait and help Levi.

Lance has proven to be a better team player. Also, he has proven that he is a smarter rider by staying in the front on stage 3 recognizing a possible move by Team Columbia due to the cross winds. AC didn't recognize this, and if he is such a great rider as you say, how come he didn't bridge the gap on stage 3? That's what I thought.

So now AC gets mad at Lance and deviates from the agreed team strategy to spite Astana because he feels he needs time on Lance for some reason, when he is suppose to be some kind of "God" in the mountains and there are plenty of mountain stages for AC to gain advantages. Seems to me that AC is stupid and selfish, and is prepared to bring his team down as long as it benefits himself.

Howzit
07-12-09, 04:21 PM
There was a point in the Giro where Lance could have went on a climb, but decided to wait and help Levi.
Which channel did you watch?
I don think Lance raced the Giro in the last 8 years until this year.
If you are talking about this year, you must be drunk right now, or even worse, have Lance fever.
Lance got dropped in the Giro after leaving Levi behind. He then started going backwards because he had cracked at that pace.

Your pathetic attempt to hate on Contador needs some work. Your Lance worshipping is going strong though. You juts might be a lover and not a hater. ;)

Rideforroswell
07-12-09, 04:24 PM
Uh, Contador was on the team first. He's won 3 grand tours in the last two years. Contador was clearly the number one rider on Astana. LA is the one that showed up after being out 4 years. He still hasn't demonstrated that he's really riding better than Levi. I repeat, Lance has not proven on the road at any point this season that he's a better rider than Alberto Contador. He's doing a fine job. Better than most had thought. But you can't honestly say that Lance is clearly the better rider. A lot of people are hoping that's the case, but they can't point out to anything definitively states that case.

If its about "winning as a team" then why isn't their strategy built around winning with their best rider. Astana was fine team well before Lance came back. Lance caused the rift. Why exactly should Contador have left? Why should Astana want him gone? He's 26 years old and clearly is going to be a GC threat for several years to come. All Lance has to do is say, "I'm here to support the team. Alberto is the number one rider we support him." If AC falters, Astana has several back up guys like Levi, Kloden, and Lance.

Why in the hell should Alberto Contador ride a strategy that best suits riders like Lance and Levi?

Sheesh, I'm not a Lance hater, but I think a lot of people are just being unreasonalble and biased in their viewing of the situation.

Did lance create the game plan? I didn't know that was his job. Just because lance joined the team after AC doesn't mean AC can't decide Astana isn't serving his best interests and join a different team. I mean if he is clearly the better rider he should be able to win without guys like Levi and Lance on his team. Like I said, I'm sure AC knew the TEAMs game plan going into this tour. If he didn't like it, there's the door.


That said, you are correct, I am biased and I do want Lance to prove all the doubters wrong. If contador wins, so be it. I won't be that upset as long as Lance gets on the podium.

It is better for cycling if Lance does win. A much more interesting story.

Lance is the "sidney crosby" of cycling. One of the best guys out there, but people really passionate about the sport are sick of hearing about him.

OrionKhan
07-12-09, 04:26 PM
There was a point in the Giro where Lance could have went on a climb, but decided to wait and help Levi.

Lance has proven to be a better team player. Also, he has proven that he is a smarter rider by staying in the front on stage 3 recognizing a possible move by Team Columbia due to the cross winds. AC didn't recognize this, and if he is such a great rider as you say, how come he didn't bridge the gap on stage 3? That's what I thought.

So now AC gets mad at Lance and deviates from the agreed team strategy to spite Astana because he feels he needs time on Lance for some reason, when he is suppose to be some kind of "God" in the mountains and there are plenty of mountain stages for AC to gain advantages. Seems to me that AC is stupid and selfish, and is prepared to bring his team down as long as it benefits himself.

If you thought AC should have bridged that gap, you were mistaken. AC didn't bridge the gap because he was in the middle of the peloton, with all of the other Astana riders except LA and Zubeldia. Nobody could bridge the gap because Columbia had 9 men at the front putting down the hammer during heavy cross winds. That's just a ridiculous statement. Kudos for Lance for being at the front. That was his experience and smarts. But if you slam AC for not, then hammer Levi, Kloden and all of the other GC contenders for it as well. Because they got stuck as well.

You're other statement doesn't really make sense. AC was getting time on all of the GC contenders. Not just LA. Actually, the best stages for him to gain time is on mountain top finishes and ITTs. There aren't many of those. There has been one ITT and one mountain top finish. AC has gained time on ALL of the GC contenders on both stages. LA lost time at the ITT and stayed even with the other during the mountain top finish so far. Heck, during the ITT, LA was 4th on his own team.

Brittain
07-12-09, 04:29 PM
I was really hoping that Lance would actually use this Tour as an opportunity to publicize his cancer charity efforts (his stated reason for coming back) and play the good soldier and help out Contador. I think that, as some articles I have read have stated, would get him in good favor with the French, and that could only help his legacy. Unfortunately, he doesn't feel the need to stick to his plan (or that was never his plan in the first place). If Lance continues to fight for the yellow jersey, I will actually lose respect for him.

One thing, though, is that Contador has already had to fight off a teammate to win the Tour before, so he does have experience with this.

OrionKhan
07-12-09, 04:34 PM
Did lance create the game plan? I didn't know that was his job. Just because lance joined the team after AC doesn't mean AC can't decide Astana isn't serving his best interests and join a different team. I mean if he is clearly the better rider he should be able to win without guys like Levi and Lance on his team. Like I said, I'm sure AC knew the TEAMs game plan going into this tour. If he didn't like it, there's the door.


Bruyneel created the plan. But its obvious which way its slanted. We don't know when the plan was revealed to the team. But again, you don't answer the question as to why a strategy should be set up that suits the riding of Lance and Levi instead of Contador. Why? I just don't understand why its Contador that should be forced out. Seems foolish, if winning is the ultimate goal.

At least you admit your bias. Your right, it would be a great story. I really wish Lance would have choosen to ride for one of the American teams. That would have been a greater story. I think he underestimated how good Columbia and Garmin would be. He probably could have gotten Levi to follow him. Lance, Levi, and Vandevelde on Garmin would have been a pretty solid team. Even if LA didn't win but managed to help Levi or Christian win on and American team would have been really cool.

OrionKhan
07-12-09, 04:39 PM
Which channel did you watch?
I don think Lance raced the Giro in the last 8 years until this year.
If you are talking about this year, you must be drunk right now, or even worse, have Lance fever.
Lance got dropped in the Giro after leaving Levi behind. He then started going backwards because he had cracked at that pace.


Lance actually, looks a lot better than he did at the Giro this year. But he hasn't tried to attack or go with a serious attack on a climb yet. But during the Giro, I was thinking he was wouldn't crack the top 20 at the TdF. He's done a great job improving his form and shedding some excess retirement weight.

julian
07-12-09, 04:40 PM
What a great thread. It isolates all the LA haters! Would you want those guys on your team?

Stanger
07-12-09, 04:46 PM
One thing, though, is that Contador has already had to fight off a teammate to win the Tour before, so he does have experience with this.

That tells me something about AC right there.

kwrides
07-12-09, 04:46 PM
There was a point in the Giro where Lance could have went on a climb, but decided to wait and help Levi.

Lance has proven to be a better team player. Also, he has proven that he is a smarter rider by staying in the front on stage 3 recognizing a possible move by Team Columbia due to the cross winds. AC didn't recognize this, and if he is such a great rider as you say, how come he didn't bridge the gap on stage 3? That's what I thought.

So now AC gets mad at Lance and deviates from the agreed team strategy to spite Astana because he feels he needs time on Lance for some reason, when he is suppose to be some kind of "God" in the mountains and there are plenty of mountain stages for AC to gain advantages.
And that was one of them, and he did.


Seems to me that AC is stupid and selfish, and is prepared to bring his team down as long as it benefits himself.
So, 1st you say he should gain advantages in the mountains, and then you hate on him for gaining an advantage in the mountains? Huh?

erader
07-12-09, 04:49 PM
Lance actually, looks a lot better than he did at the Giro this year. But he hasn't tried to attack or go with a serious attack on a climb yet. But during the Giro, I was thinking he was wouldn't crack the top 20 at the TdF. He's done a great job improving his form and shedding some excess retirement weight.

yeah he's ripped. he was "huge" at the tour of california....

http://erader.zenfolio.com/p634818506

and here's a pic of him a month later working out in his garage (not my pic).....


http://www.fototime.com/BA157E3397D8CD0/orig.jpg

ed rader

SamDaBikinMan
07-12-09, 04:55 PM
Were you born that stupid or did you hit your head?

You should really try to find new material. You asked me the same thing a few weeks ago....:eek:

OrionKhan
07-12-09, 04:56 PM
yeah he's ripped. he was "huge" at the tour of california....

http://erader.zenfolio.com/p634818506

and here's a pic of him a month later working out in his garage (not my pic).....


http://www.fototime.com/BA157E3397D8CD0/orig.jpg

ed rader

Hey, cool shots at the Tour of California.

I'll give it to the guy. He's done a great job getting back in race shape. We just need to see if his legs still have some explosion to them.

DenisMenchov
07-12-09, 05:16 PM
Were you born that stupid or did you hit your head?

Agreed, AC has proven he isn't the smartest tool in the shed. I bet Lance and Bruyneel asked AC that same question after his selfish / ignorant act.

DenisMenchov
07-12-09, 05:19 PM
And that was one of them, and he did.


So, 1st you say he should gain advantages in the mountains, and then you hate on him for gaining an advantage in the mountains? Huh?

He went against his own team. Lance never went against his team. It would of been ok if it was part of the game plan, but AC basically attacked out of the blue with Levi, Contador, and Kloden wondering...basically Contador cheated his teammates.

DenisMenchov
07-12-09, 05:20 PM
yeah he's ripped. he was "huge" at the tour of california....

http://erader.zenfolio.com/p634818506

and here's a pic of him a month later working out in his garage (not my pic).....


http://www.fototime.com/BA157E3397D8CD0/orig.jpg

ed rader

No wonder he looked so huge in the Giro.

DenisMenchov
07-12-09, 05:22 PM
Contador needs some work. Your Lance worshipping is going strong though. You juts might be a lover and not a hater. ;)

Contador needs morals first, then work. It's been confirmed that Lance stayed backed to help Levi in the Giro.

kwrides
07-12-09, 05:37 PM
What a great thread. It isolates all the LA haters! Would you want those guys on your team?

I apologize for wanting the best rider on the road to win.

kwrides
07-12-09, 05:41 PM
He went against his own team. Lance never went against his team. It would of been ok if it was part of the game plan, but AC basically attacked out of the blue with Levi, Contador, and Kloden wondering...basically Contador cheated his teammates.

So are you just going to keep changing your argument every time someone shows that you are wrong? If so, you're not going to listen to reason, so what's the point in talking? At that point, you're just a fanboy who doesn't care about anything buy making Armstrong look good, and then you lose your credibility.

kwrides
07-12-09, 05:50 PM
Contador needs morals first, then work. It's been confirmed that Lance stayed backed to help Levi in the Giro.

LOL! And what is the confirmation?

And good lord, PLEASE, don't argue that Armstrong is morally superior. Have you read ANYTHING AT ALL about how he treated some of his teammates, threatened people, sued people, etc? Have you noticed how quickly he goes on the attack and gets mean in the media? Do you realise he has a whole army of lawyers who attack anyone who tries to say anything bad about him?

Why not just admit that you worship Lance and don't care to hear any other point of view?

He was an amazing champion. One of the best EVER. I too loved the guy. However, watching this guy kill a team, put his own glory in front of the success of the team, swear he will have the most sophisticated drug testing in the history of sport and then claim to not be able to afford the cost, beg Contador NOT to leave the team and then crap all over him to the media,leave his longtime girlfriend and date a 20 yr old crackhead, sue everyone in his life, etc., etc., etc., has shown me a new view of his personality. Again, he was one of the best bike racers EVER, but he is NOT a morally superior human being.

Worship away.

Laggard
07-12-09, 05:51 PM
Contador needs morals first, then work. It's been confirmed that Lance stayed backed to help Levi in the Giro.

You really are clueless.

Why is your board name DenisMenchov? Should it not be LanceArmstrong?

iab
07-12-09, 06:09 PM
Agreed, AC has proven he isn't the smartest tool in the shed. I bet Lance and Bruyneel asked AC that same question after his selfish / ignorant act.

I'm gonna go with you were born that way.

Hezz
07-12-09, 08:47 PM
The big problem is that the team strategy suits LA and Levi better than it does Contador. Astana could have put some serious hurt on the the other GC contenders in that stage. The idea of not wanting yellow early is foolish. They've pretty much been doing most of the work and controlling the peloton without it. This idea of waiting until the final stages to make a big move only suits LA, Levi, and the other GC contenders. If the team ramped up the pace earlier in the stage and then launched AC, he would have minutes on everyone. Does anyone really think Evans or Sastre would be a serious threat then? No. Hell, Contador gained 20 seconds in less than 2k on that climb. He should have launched earlier.

While this is another possible strategy it is probably more risky than the route Astana is taking. They are not only trying to win but sweep the podium.

USAZorro
07-12-09, 08:53 PM
:popcorn

Hezz
07-12-09, 09:11 PM
Astana, JB and Lance have consistently said that they wanted the road to show them who the leader would be. But if the probable best rider who is one of the contending leaders makes a move that none of his teammates agree with how can he show that he is the leader on the road. I'm sure it's possible in a passive way but that's not AC's style. It seems to me that Astana has kind of set this scenerio up by not having AC and LA race along side each other during the season. But it's playing out to great drama now.

I for one am glad that AC made the move. It makes the race more interesting. I'm also glad that he has a different style than Lance or JB as it brings an element of drama into the race. While Lance's method for winning the TDF is sound and works for him, it is also boring.

In a way, AC through down the gauntlet before Lance without totally blowing up the JB team strategy method. And as Sherlock Holmes always would say. "The race is afoot".

DenisMenchov
07-12-09, 10:08 PM
Astana, JB and Lance have consistently said that they wanted the road to show them who the leader would be. But if the probable best rider who is one of the contending leaders makes a move that none of his teammates agree with how can he show that he is the leader on the road. I'm sure it's possible in a passive way but that's not AC's style. It seems to me that Astana has kind of set this scenerio up by not having AC and LA race along side each other during the season. But it's playing out to great drama now.

I for one am glad that AC made the move. It makes the race more interesting. I'm also glad that he has a different style than Lance or JB as it brings an element of drama into the race. While Lance's method for winning the TDF is sound and works for him, it is also boring.

In a way, AC through down the gauntlet before Lance without totally blowing up the JB team strategy method. And as Sherlock Holmes always would say. "The race is afoot".

I don't think Lance's method is boring. The only real reason why the TDF is exciting again is due to Lance's comeback.

DenisMenchov
07-12-09, 10:09 PM
I'm gonna go with I was born that way.

Agreed.

Laggard
07-12-09, 10:12 PM
I don't think Lance's method is boring. The only real reason why the TDF is exciting again is due to Lance's comeback.

And that is a load of horse apples. It was exciting last year and the year before. The tour was exciting before Armstrong ever road it, before he was born and before you were born.

You 99ers know nothing of the pre-armstrong tdf.

DenisMenchov
07-12-09, 10:24 PM
I am a Menchover, not a 29er sir, and the last three years of the tour was absolutely horrid and an utter disgrace. Ulrich, Landis, Rasmussen, Ricco, and other huge names all get positive tests and are banned. When Lance left it was just a bunch of dopers getting kicked and banned, and the TDF didn't even let AC of Astana defend his title the last year. On top of that, the tour was boring, and had extremely poor ratings, hence a lot of big sponsors jumped ship. Lance coming back was the best thing that could happen to the TDF, and cycling as a sport. I have no doubt that this time, even when Lance does retire as a cyclist, he'll at least be an owner and manager perhaps and still be able to maintain some of the luster after he is done racing.

Hezz
07-13-09, 11:34 AM
I don't think Lance's method is boring. The only real reason why the TDF is exciting again is due to Lance's comeback.

That's because he's an American and he is trying to do something that has never been done. Coming back and winning the TDF after retiring. I, in fact want him to win but not if he has to do so by holding back Contador with team politics.

The whole macro scenerio is anything but boring. But Lance's racing style in the TDF is.

julian
07-13-09, 11:43 AM
Just as I predicted, this thread brought out all the Lance haters! They are similar to all the Eddy Merckx haters back in his heyday.

Laggard
07-13-09, 12:07 PM
just as i predicted, this thread brought out all the lance haters! They are similar to all the eddy merckx haters back in his heyday.

blah blah blah lance haters blah blah f'ing blah

Reid Rothchild
07-13-09, 12:17 PM
LOL! And what is the confirmation?

And good lord, PLEASE, don't argue that Armstrong is morally superior. Have you read ANYTHING AT ALL about how he treated some of his teammates, threatened people, sued people, etc? Have you noticed how quickly he goes on the attack and gets mean in the media? Do you realise he has a whole army of lawyers who attack anyone who tries to say anything bad about him?

Why not just admit that you worship Lance and don't care to hear any other point of view?

He was an amazing champion. One of the best EVER. I too loved the guy. However, watching this guy kill a team, put his own glory in front of the success of the team, swear he will have the most sophisticated drug testing in the history of sport and then claim to not be able to afford the cost, beg Contador NOT to leave the team and then crap all over him to the media,leave his longtime girlfriend and date a 20 yr old crackhead, sue everyone in his life, etc., etc., etc., has shown me a new view of his personality. Again, he was one of the best bike racers EVER, but he is NOT a morally superior human being.

Worship away.

Some of you guys are starting to get it!:roflmao2:

Pharmr
07-13-09, 01:25 PM
Contador needs morals first, then work. It's been confirmed that Lance stayed backed to help Levi in the Giro.

what a totally absurd statement.....you're really going to sit around praising LA's morals!?!?!

get a clue.

Lance is responsible for all the problems with Astana....him and his little boy toy Johan

Howzit
07-13-09, 02:07 PM
I was really hoping that Lance would actually use this Tour as an opportunity to publicize his cancer charity efforts (his stated reason for coming back) and play the good soldier and help out Contador. I think that, as some articles I have read have stated, would get him in good favor with the French, and that could only help his legacy. Unfortunately, he doesn't feel the need to stick to his plan (or that was never his plan in the first place). If Lance continues to fight for the yellow jersey, I will actually lose respect for him.

One thing, though, is that Contador has already had to fight off a teammate to win the Tour before, so he does have experience with this.

He was also meant to do a transparency thing about all his tests. He went back on that and isnt doing it anymore.

And your right, if he was fighting for Cancer he would gain more respect.
Too bad people like myself saw through him from day 1 in 1999 and not the rest of you'all.

Lance's cancer foundation, although it has done good for millions, has always been a PR thing for Lance.

TechKnowGN
07-13-09, 02:11 PM
He was also meant to do a transparency thing about all his tests. He went back on that and isnt doing it anymore.

INCORRECT

I have posted this at least twice in threads where you've brought this up. As soon as UCI, whoever, releases the results they post them. Looks to be happening about once a month give or take.

All tests through April are on this link. Seems like it's a little over a month delay before they get results back

Link to Lances test results (http://community2.livestrong.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/12/7/9cfd0d35-c300-4191-87ab-876900af77d0.Full.jpg)

Howzit
07-13-09, 02:20 PM
LOL! And what is the confirmation?

And good lord, PLEASE, don't argue that Armstrong is morally superior. Have you read ANYTHING AT ALL about how he treated some of his teammates, threatened people, sued people, etc? Have you noticed how quickly he goes on the attack and gets mean in the media? Do you realise he has a whole army of lawyers who attack anyone who tries to say anything bad about him?

Why not just admit that you worship Lance and don't care to hear any other point of view?

He was an amazing champion. One of the best EVER. I too loved the guy. However, watching this guy kill a team, put his own glory in front of the success of the team, swear he will have the most sophisticated drug testing in the history of sport and then claim to not be able to afford the cost, beg Contador NOT to leave the team and then crap all over him to the media,leave his longtime girlfriend and date a 20 yr old crackhead, sue everyone in his life, etc., etc., etc., has shown me a new view of his personality. Again, he was one of the best bike racers EVER, but he is NOT a morally superior human being.

Worship away.

I feel for poor old Big George.
Years of nursing Lance to victories, then finally he rides with other people and snatches a stage win for himself.
Big George even said that he was thinking of quitting, but after joining Columbia he actually loves racing again. Ouch!! Sorry Lance, making such a nice guy like George wanna quit the sport, just goes to show you what a D-bag Lance is. Its all about him.
And even now, a young hopeful is being screwed by this old man with some serious issues. What a shame.

Howzit
07-13-09, 02:26 PM
INCORRECT

I have posted this at least twice in threads where you've brought this up. As soon as UCI, whoever, releases the results they post them. Looks to be happening about once a month give or take.

All tests through April are on this link. Seems like it's a little over a month delay before they get results back

Link to Lances test results (http://community2.livestrong.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/12/7/9cfd0d35-c300-4191-87ab-876900af77d0.Full.jpg)
Dude, pull the wool over your eyes man. I am actually beginning to think you are kind of slow. But I wont assume that because you might just not have enough information.

First off, that little PDF is just the test results from the UCI. ITS NOT THE PROGRAM LANCE SAID HE WAS DEVELOPING.
It was meant to be the most state of the art testing program ever devised. That pathetic PDF you posted is nothing.
Anyway, half the slots on that PDF arent even filled in. Its half N/A or "not tested"

In addition, that PDF was altered and re-uploaded a few times and people have different numbers from earlier PDFs that were switched out on that website. Maybe you need to look into that PDF yourself.
There was a whole thread on people asking what was going on on some other forum somewhere