Armstrong to retire at the end of this year

[walker]

Ah, the legend has left the sport again.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/8853187.stm

 

[kennykool]

Ah, the legend has left the sport again.

http://news.bbc.co.u...ing/8853187.stm

2nd saddest day of my life so far.....first was when he retired last time

 

[John the Monkey]

2nd saddest day of my life so far.....first was when he retired last time

Nil desperandum, Kenny.

Last I heard, he wanted to remain competitive - I'm sure someone was saying that he'd probably turn out for stuff like the Tour Down Under, and I think there was some intention to compete in Triathlon again.

 

[montage]

I'll put all the money I own on the fact he will get into triathlon. He has mention the kona ironman several times, and this event would be perfect for him, and a great way to settle down his career.

I'm not a fan boi of lance, but definately respect the man, it was fun while it lasted

 

[Halfmanhalfbike]

I'll put all the money I own owe on the fact he will get into triathlon. He has mention the kona ironman several times, and this event would be perfect for him, and a great way to settle down his career.

I'm not a fan boi of lance, but definately respect the man, it was fun while it lasted

Fixed that for you

Would be interesting to see him doing something other than pedalling

 

[redddraggon]

Good Riddance

 

[rich p]

TFFT.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

TFFT.

This fanboy's forever traumatised?

 

[rich p]

This fanboy's forever traumatised?

Close but no HGH cigar!

 

[johnnyh]

so who are all the "Haters" going to focus on now?
Their lives will be empty, devoid of purpose...

 

[rich p]

so who are all the "Haters" going to focus on now?
Their lives will be empty, devoid of purpose...

johnny, you seem to miss the point. We're not 'haters' because of some irrational whim; it's because we feel we've been duped over the years. I suspect we all started off admiring Armstrong for his skill, committment and ability but the huge and ever-growing force of circumstantial evidence persuaded us that he had feet of clay and was just as much a drug-fuelled racer as Pantani, Ulrich and co.
We dislike Valverde, Basso et al for destroying the credibility of the sport too.

 

[Shadow]

and ever-growing force of circumstantial evidence persuaded us that he had feet of clay and was just as much a drug-fuelled racer as Pantani, Ulrich and co.
We dislike Valverde, Basso et al for destroying the credibility of the sport too.

I am not a fan of LA and never have been but I cannot help admire him for his achievements on Le Tour (up to his first retirement anyway!). And only Le Tour. I wish he had ridden the other majors.

But what happened to most Brits' sense of of fair play? Should he not remain innocent til proven guilty?

 

[redddraggon]

Should he not remain innocent til proven guilty?

Well there's enough out there..... 1999 EPO positives. Backdated TUEs. Paying "bribes" to the UCI. Client of Michele Ferrari. Andreu statements......I can go on.

 

[jpembroke]

I wish he had ridden the other majors.

you can't play golf on a bike!!!!!

 

[John the Monkey]

But what happened to most Brits' sense of of fair play? Should he not remain innocent til proven guilty?

If you look at the wattage per kilo being generated, the times on the tour's big climbs, the number of people he beat who were since shown to be cheats, it becomes increasingly hard to maintain a cheery optimism on the question.

I think the one saving grace is that it was a time when pretty much everyone was at it, and we're perhaps unfair/unrealistic in expecting more from the riders of the period than their era allowed.