allgoo19

Did he make one at the final ceremony or will he make one somewhere else?

Dolomiti

He spoke on the podium. Was quite suprising and interesting to say the least.

fishigan

Here is a small portion of it...
"Finally, the last thing I'll say for the people who don't believe in cycling -- the cynics, the skeptics -- I'm sorry for you, I'm sorry you can't dream big and I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. But this is one hell of a race, this is a great sporting event and you should stand around and believe." - Lance Armstrong

oboeguy

My new sig!

Surferbruce

you'd think with 7 years to think about it he could of come up with something better. i also think it would have been nice if he at least tried to thank the french in their own language.

Ostuni

i thought it was weak, too, but it might not have been planned? the tv guys said it had never been allowed before?

kubla khan

Lance says 'hell' alot.

7 years racing in France and millions of dollars and he couldn't have taken some private french lessons somewhere along the line?

georgiaboy

Lance would have help endear the french people if he made a sentiment in French. Albeit just a small phrase.

kubla khan

He said "vive le tour"... LOL

Dolomiti

I thought it took a lot of time, rather than a lot of money, to learn a language.
He routinely does French interviews.

georgiaboy

You kidding! Lance said that?

A couple more words and I would have confused Lance with Gerard Depardieu.

Laggard

He speaks French but now says he's hesitant to do so because the French press are quick to pick up on any linguistic mistake he makes and have at times used that to poke fun at him.

Cranks

I thought he could have had something prepared in French. But where he really messed up was in not having something prepared to say about Basso and Ullrich. He really put his foot in it. Either prepare something to say, or don't say anything at all, because it is a rare person who can ride 2,000+ miles in three weeks and then get up in front of millions at your retirement party and say something off the cuff that is deep and profound, let alone just comprehendible.

Guest

This is just typical LA- he is NOT someone that is gifted with the ability to impromptu a speech. I thought it was fitting and though a bit stilted, it was appropriate. He had something to say about Basso and Ullrich, addressing Ullrich first and Basso second. I don't think anyone thought Hinault was going to shove a mic in front of LA, and when they did, he said a few words in honor of the Tour and the men standing aside him.

I don't blame him for not speaking french either if they typically took his remarks out of context too. Say it in english and let the french figure out how to translate it correctly, but at least if they misquote him, we all know what LA really said and he'll have the english media there to fight the battle and correct the misquote. You can only get burned so many times before you decide to something in a way that prevents the burn from happening again.

Again, when has LA gotten on television and NOT been prosaic? He's not that charismatic live... we all know that. I thought it was a perfectly acceptable speech that emphasized his retirement. It's the best he could do.

Besides, I hate scripted speeches. I think he probably would do worse with the script than if he just said what came from his heart and his head.

Koffee

youm0nt

i liked his speech.if he spoke in French i wouldnt understand it

"this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it"
i like that line.

97 Teran

Not at all a flame on anyone, but am I correct in understanding that we expect more in terms of intelligent speech discourse from an athlete than we do from the standing US President? After all, the President was re-elected... These priorities mystify me...

geneman

wrong forum but well said.

Mark

AlanS

I really idolize LA, and so I wish he could think on his feet a bit better. During extemporaneous interviews, I'm always cringing just a little bit at his awkwardness. I also was not thrilled with one of the earlier interviews with S. Crow.

At this point, he has the potential to make megabucks with endorsements. Since image is everything, maybe he needs more coaching to cope with the media.

aham23

at this point LA has already made millions being just the way he is. i dont think being a better interview or public speaker would make him a "richer" man. later.

Don Gwinn

In Sports Illustrated he's said a few times that he's all done with any attempt to suck up to the French press by speaking French or any other ploys. I think that's great. Were I a Frenchman willing to give him a fair shake, I'd be insulted at the idea that he thought he could win me over by speaking French, especially badly. I really doubt the French attitude could be changed by cynically sucking up that way.

Some of the French hate him, some of them don't care and a few love the guy. That's never going to change. Let him speak whatever language he wishes.

I don't know what anyone expected in terms of a "better" speech, either? Flowery flourishes? Rhetorical brilliance? That's not what the occasion called for, folks.

AlanS

Just something logical.

When he started talking about the "cynics and the skeptics" I literally couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Maybe a reference to earlier accusations of using enhancing drugs? Not expecting captain of the Oxford debate team -- just something simple, logical, and heartfelt.

Dolomiti

Sometimes he talks about portions of the media that speak too cynically about pro cycling. Almost always on the subject of drugs... not only accusations towards Armstrong, but to various teams, and the whole peloton.

I think it is really cool the way he has talked about it. When he says how much he keeps up with cycling events that have little to no direct relevancy to him, and saying he will want to keep watching the sport and maybe even participating with a team as a non-rider. He could, but doesn't give off a bad hint by saying he doesn't really care to watch the sport... it would seem like 'this sport is tainted, and I'd rather not watch riders compete over who dopes the most'.

khuon

Maybe he'll learn over time but I kind of doubt it. Lance has never been a great spokesperson (especially for something formal) even when he has something pre-prepared (is that even a word?) to say. Think about his commercial endorsements. He's lucky to get through one line in them. Most of his latest commercials has a two or three word phrase and some don't have him say anything at all.

stevesurf

Exactly. The speech was impromptu, and, actually I am glad he identified that there are many that are cynical about the sport and its popularity. Even if one more rider decides to try cycling, the speech had meaning

Trekke

LA is the best cyclist in the world right now (I know that is debatable) and I don't think having the gift of gab is a strong qualification for that crown. And for thinking on his feet, well just watch the chess game on most stages. Watch the patience, the diligence and the planned and well rehersed steps. He thinks well. That is one of the strong traits of Lance. Most of that effort was spent on the bike where it really counts.

As for Basso and Jan, LA extended enormouse respect for both riders many times during the past years, especially Jan. For Lance to repeatedly say than Jan is his most feared opponent is saying a ton.

You guys want a cycling hero or a politition?