The new improved Lance Armstrong discussion thread.*

[Erratic]

Armstrong is surrounded by people who perpetuate the myth. I wonder why the sycophants do it, what do they get out of it now that his deception has been so publicly exposed. And, what does anyone say to him when they meet him or have a beer with him, all rather odd and artificial, but I don't suppose he will ever offer the truth other than that which he perceives to be so.

 

[thom]

Apparently Armstrong had a sense of irony. This is some art he owned :

Article in the Atlantic

 

[Archie]

Interesting to see this feature from CBS on Betsy Andreu.
She told you so

One woman knew the truth beneath the lies that held Lance Armstrong at the top of the mountain in cycling. But when she refused to play along, she paid a high price

 

[Andrew_P]

posted to FB Hangin' in there

 

[400bhp]

Big interview in the Guardian with Wiggins tomorrow
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/nov/02/bradley-wiggins-fatherhood-tax
This is from the trail on Pharmstrong:

'Wiggins describes the corrosive legacy of Armstrong, newly stripped of his seven Tour wins because of his endemic, team-wide doping regime. "It wasn't a surprise," Wiggins says of the report that damned the Texan. "The anger is more: I've got to pick up the pieces. He's still a multimillionaire, and he's not here to answer the questions. I can't not answer them because I've got to go and race next year, and I hate talking about it."

'Armstrong was never his hero. "He was someone I respected and admired. I've met quite a few sportsmen, but I don't think I've met anybody as … powerful as him." He describes Armstrong as "quite an intimidating person to be around" and someone who exists in a cosseted bubble of entourages and chauffeur-driven cars. "If I'm going to Kilburn, I get on a bus. He'd have a car waiting for him with a bodyguard. He'd go to races on a private jet. I take my kids to school. It's what keeps you normal. I don't want my kids growing up as f***ing idiots, d'you know what I mean?"'

Feckin awesome

It's so refreshing to listen to a sportsman keep it real - Botham esque.

 

[Diggs]

The World According to Lance on ESPN Classic at the moment

 

[johnr]

More from the Wiggins autobiography on Armstrong and doping

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/nov/05/bradley-wiggins-memoir-doped-lose

 

[thom]

More from the Wiggins autobiography on Armstrong and doping

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/nov/05/bradley-wiggins-memoir-doped-lose

Next article : http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/nov/05/bradley-wiggins-memoir-doped-lose
Talks about Lance in 2009:
"But if it were confirmed that he was doping in 2009–10, then he can get farked, completely. Before, he wouldn't have been alone in what he was doing, but the sport has changed since he retired the first time."

 

[BJH]

Lovely sentiments from Wiggins

That's what I want to hear him saying.

 

[beastie]

Here's the next instalment
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/nov/06/bradely-wiggins-tour-de-france-2012

 

[rich p]

I find those extracts and sentiments are really moving but grounded. He comes over as an impressive personality.

 

[fozy tornip]

Separated at birth?
Sir Bradley of Wiggins said

... he can get farked, completely...It feels like Lance has dumped on the sport..

Sir Fozy of Tornip said (#1448):

F*ck him: squatting on his great steroidally enbeefed haunches curling turd after toxicTexan turd down onto our beloved sport.

Brad and me, we're like that.

 

[johnr]

The last instalment of the Wiggins autobiography from the Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/nov/07/bradley-wiggins-memoir-mark-cavendish

 

[thom]

An open letter from Jeremy Roy.

 

[smutchin]

I *heart* Jeremy Roy.