LeMond: Armstrong was top 30 rider at best.

[Crackle]

He did also have that incident involving a shotgun. He is quoted saying he was never the same afterward and that it was a unfortunate turning point in his career. The fact that the majority of the peloton were wired to the moon on EPO certainly left a bitter taste in his mouth, in the early 90's.

Interesting though if you think that Lemond would not dope under any circumstance but was happy to soil himself and continue riding with it all running down his legs and his bike.

To summarise Lemond would rather ride a bike in his own sh*t than to dope to win. Gotta love that.

What he says is backed up by others of the era. You may have read Fignon's book.

I'm not sure what point your making with the soiling, nor am i sure I want you to elucidate!

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

What he says is backed up by others of the era. You may have read Fignon's book.

I'm not sure what point your making with the soiling, nor am i sure I want you to elucidate!

My point was that the majority of the peloton would happily dope to win, or survive, but likely draw the line at soiling themselves on the bike. Lemond was the exact opposite. Many riders talk about their shock of that day when he done it, saying they wouldn't have done that. Yet they don't mind cheating/doping to stay in the race. Lemond stayed on the bike in order to stay in the race. To win. He didn't cheat to do so.

 

[VamP]

My point was that the majority of the peloton would happily dope to win, or survive, but likely draw the line at soiling themselves on the bike. Lemond was the exact opposite. Many riders talk about their shock of that day when he done it, saying they wouldn't have done that. Yet they don't mind cheating/doping to stay in the race. Lemond stayed on the bike in order to stay in the race. To win. He didn't cheat to do so.

I am fairly sure the poo incident was during the 1986 Tour, prior to his gunshot injury, and before EPO raised it's ugly head. He had his hands full that year fighting off his superdom Hinault, who failed to remember what his job was supposed to be

But I think your point is that LeMond was extremely principled, and that I would have to agree with.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

I am fairly sure the poo incident was during the 1986 Tour, prior to his gunshot injury, and before EPO raised it's ugly head. He had his hands full that year fighting off his superdom Hinault, who failed to remember what his job was supposed to be

But I think your point is that LeMond was extremely principled, and that I would have to agree with.

It is indeed.

Hinault insists to this day that he was "helping Lemond" win the 86 Tour.

Yeh 86 was the year of the bad peach. 87 was when he got shot. Lucky to survive! Still he came back and won again in 89 - Pan y agua.

I like Lemond. I like his character. He is indeed the most successful cyclist to come out of the states.

 

[Boris Bajic]

Hope you're quote about Pantani was tongue in cheek!!

It was 100% tongue-in-cheek, but I still loved to watch him race and to read about him.

But as a resigned relection on those days, it matters not whether I thought he doped or not.

Many people have any one or more of Vogt, Candellara, Indurain, Evans, Contador and others as clean.

We choose our heroes and defend their honour while we decry the naivity of others for thinking their own chosen ones were clean.

 

[LimeBurn]

Loved Pantani - anyone who can start throwing diamond earings into the trees before attacking is awesome in my book. Takes weight saving to a whole new level.

It was 100% tongue-in-cheek, but I still loved to watch him race and to read about him.

But as a resigned relection on those days, it matters not whether I thought he doped or not.

Many people have any one or more of Vogt, Candellara, Indurain, Evans, Contador and others as clean.

We choose our heroes and defend their honour while we decry the naivity of others for thinking their own chosen ones were clean.