First of all: Go Gators! (MA 1991).
I avoid most of the LA stuff. I admired his riding ability and have huge respect for his comeback over cancer.
I do pick up an attitude from him (and Greg LeMond as well though for different reasons) that the TdF was an irritating part of their lives and that they made it rather than the other way around.
LeMond refused to go to France a few years ago when the Tour was trying to get all living winners together. This was probably to avoid LA and Hinault but I still thought it poor. I like LeMond but let's be honest w/o the TdF is he in the financial situation he's in now? Would he have had his time as a top US athlete? I think the answer's obvious.
What if LA beats cancer and continues to be a Classics rider, even a wildly successful one with multiple Paris-Roubaix and Pro-Tour titles? His victory over cancer is still an amazing and inspiring story but who outside of cycling knows about it? What are his chances of emceeing the Espys and having the opportunity to call the entire French soccer team a-holes? Is he a multi-millionaire? Again I think the answers are obvious.
I don't expect false humility but the TdF is responsible for these guy's fame and fortune and they shouldn't be so disrespectful. At least that's my view, others will differ I'm sure.
I realize I didn't address the doping but I avoid that topic and will until something beyond "he said/she said" stuff appears.
