Armstrong charged and banned

[Boris Bajic]

Sorry, but outside of the US, that's bollox.

It isn't.

Almost nobody I knew who wasn't a cyclist had heard much about the TdF before LA.

Cyclists of a certain type knew, but people broadly did not.

As LA grew in media stature, so the TdF seemed to get more known. LA put the TdF into the mass media and that broader coverage drew people in. Not cyclists, but people who have since become cyclists.

Most people who were new to the topic in 2002, 2003 and later hung all their new knowledge on LA.

Many of the people I know who are recent converts to cycling (road cycling in particular) have a knowledge of TdF history that gets very fuzzy before LA's second or third win. That is not a function of their age. It is a function of the LA effect and one or two other things.

I am not a torch-bearing lover of LA. I saw the TdF before him and loved it. I loved it during and after him.

But many, many people I know (and many more I know of) who ride got their first inkilng that cycling wasn't a weird, fringe activity for the uncool from LA. LA was not the only catalyst, but he was a significant one.

Find a bunch of lycra-clad, carbon-riding, team-strip 30-somethings and ask them to name a pre-1999 winner of any jersey. They will get few.

Ask them for post-2001 lists and they will get the lot.

Most 'LA-driven' TdF fans got interested in or after 2003 - after the first couple of wins. Say 'Mario Cippolini' to these folk and they stare blankly.

I have no fondness for LA, but it is not bollox to say that he did much to raise the profile of the TdF.

 

[lukesdad]

I find it hard to believe that Hinault was actually real.

I'm afraid he was and the written word doesn't do him justice by a long chalk.

 

[Boris Bajic]

U IZ JUST A HATER.

Ullrich never tested positive and his record stands proud between 1999 and 2005.

I felt terribly sorry for Ullrich in his 'nearly man' years.

But yes, I do rather think he drank from the naughty fountain.

Hate him? No.

He's a hero to me, just like Pantani, Virenque, D Millar, Armstrong, Riis and many others.

 

[just jim]

Lance speaks: "Haven't We All Done Steroids In A Way?"
And: “If we can’t believe in Lance Armstrong, who can we believe in?”

 

[Chuffy]

I'm afraid he was and the written word doesn't do him justice by a long chalk.

I think I need to add Slaying The Badger to my library....

 

[laurence]

I find it hard to believe that Hinault was actually real.

he is, we have shared cake.

 

[Chuffy]

he is, we have shared cake.

And yet you live? I find this hard to credit. Come on,spill...

 

[laurence]

And yet you live? I find this hard to credit. Come on,spill...

well... i was in the Village Depart, as you do.. and Hinault and Prudhomme were on this podium thingy. people sang happy birthday - no idea who to - and there was a very large cake (fruit sponge type thing). Bernie had some and they were offering it, so i nabbed a piece.

 

[Chuffy]

well... i was in the Village Depart, as you do.. and Hinault and Prudhomme were on this podium thingy. people sang happy birthday - no idea who to - and there was a very large cake (fruit sponge type thing). Bernie had some and they were offering it, so i nabbed a piece.

Careful now, you can get pregnant from that kind of contact.

 

[laurence]

Careful now, you can get pregnant from that kind of contact.

it's ok, i ate it with a plastic fork.

 

[Chuffy]

it's ok, i ate it with a plastic fork.

You've just made Baggy cry.

 

[Alun]

U IZ JUST A HATER.

Ullrich never tested positive and his record stands proud between 1999 and 2005.

Absolutely ! I like the fat German, but 2002 was not his best year. Although CAS have said that they won't hold it against him !

 

[steveindenmark]

If the powers that be in cycling had the balls to put their house in order to begin with a lot of this type of thing would not occur. I don`t understand why they are still handing out 2 year bans. They should not only adopt a one strike and your out for life policy, they should adopt a one strike and your out PLUS we will then drag you through the courts in an an attempt to sieze all your assets which you have made from cycling.

Armstrong will be minted through his public appearances, books and endorsements. He will continue to make after dinner speeeches, more books etc telling the world how he was a scapegoat and a victim.

Make it plain that if you prove positive just once and it will start to make a difference.

 

[raindog]

The LA machine left alot of damage in it's wake - it would be nice if some of that could now be put right.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/frankie-andreu-responds-to-armstrongs-ban

 

[lukesdad]

If the powers that be in cycling had the balls to put their house in order to begin with a lot of this type of thing would not occur. I don`t understand why they are still handing out 2 year bans. They should not only adopt a one strike and your out for life policy, they should adopt a one strike and your out PLUS we will then drag you through the courts in an an attempt to sieze all your assets which you have made from cycling.

Armstrong will be minted through his public appearances, books and endorsements. He will continue to make after dinner speeeches, more books etc telling the world how he was a scapegoat and a victim.

Make it plain that if you prove positive just once and it will start to make a difference.

I'd love to see life bans, but as I've been told stopping someone from earning a living for life, would be laughed at in a court of law.