5 Portraits of Lance Armstrong

[garrilla]

from yesterday's Observer Sports Monthly

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jun/28/lance-armstrong-comeback

 

[rich p]

The Millar piece was reasonably interesting looking at LA from a rider's pov.

 

[yello]

Yes, I thought so too Rich. You can read between the lines a little as well.

Interesting perspective from Ballaster on why 'the French' don't like LA. Whilst it smacks to me more of a personal opinion (rather than a national one) it's none-the-less shows a view of how the TdF should be competed. Coupled with Millar's remark about the TdF being "less predictable" without LA and his high regard for Contador, it makes you wonder how Astana will ride? With panache or control?

 

[rich p]

It was a ringing endorsement of Bertie by DM wasn't it? Maybe the best rider ever!!

 

[yenrod]

http://www.livestrong.com/lance-arm...blo-mp4/7e5baebd-3903-4905-b19c-38cc7628daea/

I liked that on Sun. - what he put up.

 

[jpembroke]

Yes, I thought so too Rich. You can read between the lines a little as well.

Interesting perspective from Ballaster on why 'the French' don't like LA. Whilst it smacks to me more of a personal opinion (rather than a national one) it's none-the-less shows a view of how the TdF should be competed. Coupled with Millar's remark about the TdF being "less predictable" without LA and his high regard for Contador, it makes you wonder how Astana will ride? With panache or control?

Funny how the French don't extend their distaste to homegrown proven dopers like Virenque who is still a national hero. I'm no devout LA fan but that piece by Ballaster is complete hypocrisy.

 

[yello]

Funny how the French don't extend their distaste to homegrown proven dopers like Virenque who is still a national hero. I'm no devout LA fan but that piece by Ballaster is complete hypocrisy.

I think you're wrong on two counts.

Firstly, Virenque was criticised by the national newspapers in France too. The whole affair was lampooned and satirised heavily. ASO tried to ban him from the 99 tour but were forced to allow him to ride after UCI intervened. Some people in France loved him for his attacking nature; long solo breakaways, attacks in the mountains - oh, and his boyish good looks won the ladies over. They didn't love his drug taking. Many felt cheated when their idol fell.

Secondly, that piece is Ballaster's opinion and I personally don't think he speaks for the French (as I said). The piece is not about doping but about panache. LA doesn't have it - according to Ballaster - and Virenque did.

 

[jpembroke]

Yet it was LA that they aimed their 'dopage' chants at from the side of the road, not Virenque. I see your point but I still say there is a great deal of hypocrisy here.

 

[garrilla]

French Hypocrisy [shrugs]