Sincitycycler

He was ripping on anti-cyclists on the Champs Elysses yesterday saying how he "felt sorry for them" or something. It was kind of embarrassing to me for a man of his stature to go out that way.

I think Johan gave Lance too much champagne on the ride in!

shimanopower

I think he was ripping on mostly his own critics who don't believe supermen are possible.

'nother

I thought that line was awesome. Looking for a video clip of it somewhere . . .

ZappCatt

You were embarrased? Why do you think it made him "gay"?

The 2 schools of thought that I have seen are:

1) He was talking to the American media who have been discussing the Tour de France and trying to figure out if the competitors are "Atheletes" or not since they are just riding a bike. i.e. Rome, PTI, etc.

2) He was talking to the media who have decided that he(and most of the rest of the Peloton) must all be on drugs to ride that hard, that long.

Sincitycycler

Even when he talked about Basso and Ullrich winning next year, something was weird - almost like L.A. was tweaking...wonder how he did on his post-race drug test?

steve_wmn

I didn't think it was all that bad a rant. I'm sure Lance has seen plenty of skeptical articles about the comparative endurance and skills of a cyclist versus other athletes. I know I've seen more than a few, and engaged in a few arguments with runners, etc. I imagine it pisses him off a little, and so he vented just a bit on the podium. No big deal.

'nother

^^ I suspect he was a little unprepared to give a speech while on the podium (an unprecedented event?!). I think he did pretty well for just having finished the ride of a lifetime (though I agree, the bit with Basso and Ullrich was a bit awkward).

shimanopower

I think that was because the speech was unplanned. He had to come up with words on the spot. I liked the speech.

Sincitycycler

Wow. Please to meet you too. Why would I think Lance is gay?

DRLski

I think it was a good rant, I enjoyed it, and even laughed a little. But when it comes down to it I completely agree with just about everything he said and think I can see where he's coming from. Heck I think the other cyclists in the tour appreciated it.

Dave

timmhaan

i thought it was weird too. i mean, there are a lot of people who have tried to bring him down. however, there are millions more who have supported him without question over the years. he has gained celebrity status and has become very rich because people did believe in him. i don't think it was the right podium to rant, although it didn't bother me that much. a much better speech than i could have done given the circumstances.

woodboy

It wasn't LA at his most eloquent but it wasn't an embarrasment (I agree with ZappCatt's analysis -- both 1 and 2, although I really can't picture LA watching PTI or Rome during the Tour). One of the commentators (Paul or Phil) mentioned that this (speaking from the podium) was a first. The Tour organizers were probably expecting more of a "thanks for the memories" kind of speech so I doubt they'll be making a habit of this.

Don Gwinn

The guy just finished almost a month on the bike in the mountains, plus he's just done the "impossible"--again--by winning the Tour more than five times in a row, plus he's confronting the fact that he never gets to do it again, and somebody can't resist suggesting that he's not all that emotional, it must be the drugs.
indeed.

Sincitycycler

There ya go. Believe me, I'm fascinated with Lances' accomplishments and he usually measures his words tastefully in post-race interviews with OLN - he always comes across as a cool-narrowed eyed Texan Marboro Man the we've all grown to admire, but yesterday ...I dunno... more champagne!

jrennie

I must have watched a different speech, while it was very emotional(slightly angry) I felt that was the words of a very bewildered man who was just tired of the aligations and the disrespect from media,cyclists,fans etc. As far as lance's words toward basso/ulrich I think he was trying to say basso will be the next champ but didn't want to publicly say ulrich isn't strong enough to beat basso and that is why it came off somewhat weird. just my opnion though

zelah

wait so what exactly did he say?

bigskymacadam

he takes a lot of crap from a lot of people. best not give the outspoken texan a microphone without a prepared speech from his pr people.

zero

Here is a clip of the entire speech


mms://dayport.wmod.llnwd.net/fc/a258/e1/v1/0040/07300020050724_042552p0042748p6.wmv

copy and paste into browser

'nother

There are some jumbled excerpts here; still looking for a video or transcript of the entire speech sans editorial . . .

edit: oops zero got it, thanks!

zero

OLN has all of the highlights and tech features available for every stage.
Go to www.olntv.com/tdf and click on the daily videos link on the left

RiDE

I think people wanted him to say:

"Big thanks to the people on internet forums around the world who will always find something about me to whine about."

JungleCat

I think he hedged when talking to Basso cuz he wanted to say "You are the man next year" but remembered who was on his left, whom he just made some nice remarks about. It ended great to with 'vive le tour'.

RegularGuy

olntv.com has it on their site too.

https://www.olntv.com/tdf/article/cat...=true&ss=video

thad

There was another article in that French sports paper that always rags on him, the name escapes me. Anyway, same old same old, they brought up the drug thing and were really negative instead of celebrating and reporting on a great tour. I think Lance was a little miffed at the timing of it.

DC_Emily

Agreed. He did basically put his endorsement behind Basso. Jan couldn't have liked that much. Regardless, good for him for winning 7, closing well, and bowing out while people wonder 'could he have done 8'?