buddy

Help me here. Did I hear one of the announcer claims during the first stage that Greg LeMond was the greatest American cyclist without mentioning Armstong?

Did anyone else hear this?

I was not paying full attention to the TV and I thought I heard then say that. I thought "boy they are pimping LeMond, he must love it."

buddy

pgoat

really? Oh, wait - you mean in America, during your lifetime?

I guess No one in Europe knows who Eddy Merckx is, right?

wagathon

cult (klt)
n.
1. a. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
b. The followers of such a religion or sect.
2. A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
3. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
4. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.
5. a. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
b. The object of such devotion.
6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.


sort of like . . . Al Gore idolators, Bush haters and followers of the charismatic leader, Obamminladen?

Malthus

Yes, exactly, but then that's the point isn't it? You can wax all nostalgic of bygone days, but it doesn't change the fact that Lance Armstrong put cycling on the world map via American audiences. If you want to ***** about American exceptionalism, arrogance, whatever, knock yourself out. It still doesn't make European legends any more recognizable to Americans, i.e., those who are fueling the industry.

Get over it already...

JoeyBike

They were probably making reference to the pre-doping days?

Oroluk Lagoon

Just saw Greg interviewed. It was a nice upbeat chat with his positive outlook on the tour as well as the bright future of recreational cycling. I think we will also see Lance at some point, if not this year, maybe next. He is of course present in the Trek ads....and yes the Saab ads about recycling exhaust are going to be hard to take for three weeks. Hummer seems to be an improvement over Trautwig.

Malthus

I'm not pushing American jingoism here. I think America sucks as much as the next person, even more so given our ******** leader G. Dubya making an ass out himself at every opportunity. I'm just pointing out the reality of cycling since Lance Armstrong. So you don't like it... Okay, discuss it with your therapist.

I would welcome more than anything for a European to ignite the same sort of passion for bicycling that Armstrong did. So far that hasn't occurred. What part of reality don't you want to understand?

miater

i love how saab is acting like turbocharging is something new and innovative, and green.

18-27 mpg is nothing to brag about today.

miater

FYI I like saabs. I hate stupid adverstising.

Walter

Or perhaps 15-20 million self-described "ditto-heads" who let a fat drug addict tell them what to think 5X a week is an even better example.....

All too easy.

I mean I once actually heard someone ask Limbaugh for marriage advice. Other than the names of good divorce lawyers what could he offer?

Back to cycling....The TdF did not begin in 1999. The much reviled LeMond caused an upswing in cycling and attention to the Tour in his time. It didn't last. Will the Armstrong Effect be more enduring? While I hope so I'm sure ot holding my breath.

40 Cent

Oh but they have... and far more; for cycling anyway.

wagathon

LA has become John Galt to the cult of the LefL He must be, but cannot be, destroyed. It is staggering how individualism is so fearsome to so many.

ericy

He apparently has some experience with Viagra .

MnHillBilly

I'm one of those rare persons, I guess, who watches the Tour because it's simply a long ride through some of the most breathtaking and challenging terrains Europe has to offer. I knew cycling existed before Armstrong. LeMond is a "homeboy" so-to-speak, so we knew of him as well. But having been in these same places these men are cycling, I'm in awe of ANYONE being able to do what they do - whether enhanced or all-natural.

Last year was the first year I watched the entire race start-to-finish each day, and the doping scandal did nothing to diminish my appreciation of the feat. What I still can't get over is how they haven't seemed to do much about the throngs of people that line the streets in certain parts, and the chase cars' speed. I happened to be in the country one summer in the 90's when a boy was mowed down by a chase car. I still remember the press it got locally. But I don't see a whole lot being done to stop that kind of thing. The fans are still within arm's length on some of these climbs. Wish they'd get a little smarter about it.

As for the Versus coverage - it's better than some of NBC's Olympic coverage, which is vying for people's attention this year. It's tolerable, and the camerawork is nice. I just have to use my mute button sometimes when that guy tries to pronounce French words in Americanspeak. Just makes me cringe. I keep wanting to yell "It's NOT Syl-vaine it's Syl-van!" Mon dieu!

"Take back the Tour" - it was never taken from me and from other people I've talked to. I really think they overestimate how "poorly" people take it. There is no professional sport these days that doesn't have to contend with doping. We just had a respected Olympian jailed for admitting she had doped - yet you don't see people chanting "Take back the Olympics" at the trials in Oregon this week. Go figure....

pgoat

I understand what you are saying, but that's like going to Japan and doing a historic thing for baseball and not mentioning Babe Ruth, et al.

I totally respect Lance and realize he ultimately did way more for cycling in US than Lemond, even if Greg (and other Americans) did pave the way. But The presenters of the TdF can certainly shed some light on other (non-American and American) legends. The race is over a century old. We didn't even start riding it till the last 30 years or so. I think our egos can allow somebody else to share the limelight, especially in their own back yards.

pgoat

Ignite it in who? Speak for yourself.

I'm out

bac

It may piss me off more than the "born from jets" crap. I will never buy a Saab now.

... Brad

bac

What about Jan?

... Brad

fujibike

In 2006, Ullrich was barred from competing in the Tour de France amid speculation of having doped. In late February 2007, he announced his retirement at a press conference.

bac

That's my point.

... Brad

fujibike

Well we'll never know. Instead of contesting the expulsion from the tour he retired.

nodnarb757

Armstrong was in Astana team car during the 07 tour quite a bit.

erader

+1

but i also like lance alot less than ever too. in fact i sorta dislike him .

ed rader