Road Bike Racing - Choosing your favorite team not always rational.?

I somehow just relate to certain cycling teams, not sure why...But other than loyalty to Posties, have always rooted for Bonjour, La Boulangere, or Lotto.. The Lotto thing is probably the son of Mercyx is on the team...
The point here..Anyone see the Olympics..Many here poo poo Axel as 'a acorn falling too far from the tree' as not measuring up to the legend of his father.
So, Axel got the bronze at Athens...His UCI ratings have averaged the 30's. How was Axel's performance in Athens yesterday.?..I was not home to see what happened in Athens. I always have high hopes for child prodegies. Like to think a father can pass on a legend to his off spring. Did he get the bronze with a really strong sprint or what?

I think you've got 3 different thread topics in here, but I'll bite.

Axel Merckx had a great ride in Athens yesterday. The course was pretty technical, with nary a flat spot - Tyler Hamilton said he wished it was harder and more selective, Stuey O'Grady said it was the toughest course he'd ever ridden. Try reading the live coverage (http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2004/olympics04/?id=results/road_men_race_live) from cyclingnews for details on Axel's smart move.

I wouldn't necessarily say that Axel Merckx is a child prodigy, unless you consider that pro riders are all pretty much prodigies. It takes the strength and skill that the average person just doesn't have to become a great bike rider. He was born to the Greatest Cyclist of All Time - which might genetically predispose him to being a good athlete, with strong endurance. But it just barely begins to pave the way to Greatness. Hinault, Van Looy - even men with palmares like theirs will never be considered as great as Eddy Merckx. It's a tough spot for Axel to be in. But his bronze yesterday (and results in the past) show that he's a good and smart rider, who will do no disgrace to the Merckx name.

And, finally - Good on ya, for shaking it up a little with your team loyalties. I'm a die-hard Quick.Step supporter. Paolo Bettini is just about the best racer around, and he's got a team full of winners. But I dig the Alessio team as a whole, as well as CSC. I have a soft spot for the misfits at FdJeux, too. Ullrich is one of my favourites, and I really respect Zabel and Vino... but I'm not so keen on T-Mobile in general. I shake my head sometimes at the Postal Service, but Lance is undeniable, and I'd be thrilled if that Hincapie bloke would finally win at Paris-Roubaix.

Whoo. I'm exhausted. And chatty today, apparently. :)

Thanks Girls 27. I originate from the Detroit area...But, I still have a Detroit Lions sweatshirt..Why??
A working weekend...Will get a recap of the race from cyclingNews.Good idea..
Some of Axel loyalty..He is married to a Canadian I understand...He trains winters in So Cal and riders I knew have met him in club rides!! Say he is a great person. Loyalties can be irrational.