The new improved Lance Armstrong discussion thread.*

[rich p]

It would be interesting and amusing, albeit in a small way, to ask your friends and relatives, "Who was the only American to win the Tour de France?".

 

[ufkacbln]

Winning a race, and being awarded / retaining the title are not necessarily the same thing

 

[rich p]

What a pair of Spanish dickheads.

Now ValvPiti Valverde has come out in support of Armstrong.

What's Spanish for 3 dickheads?

 

[DogTired]

meanwhile........
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/report-armstrongs-influence-extends-beyond-sport
"Although Armstrong was unable to influence Obama to cut short his trip overseas, and the millions of people in his Livestrong army failed to sway the election, his political connections may have come in handy when it came to the federal grand jury which was looking into the same evidence that USADA used to strip him of his sporting reputation.
One source suggested to Roberts that Clinton himself swayed US Attorney Andre Briotte into suddenly closing down the 18-month investigation without reason on Superbowl Sunday, although the office denied its decision was the result of political pressure. But the closure did coincide with a large donation from Armstrong - $100,000 - to Planned Parenthood, provider of breast cancer screening to underprivileged women, which was coming under fire from conservatives."

That's an enlightening article, very interesting! Also shows that Armstrong doesnt do politics, he does threats and bullying. No-one forgets that.

It'll be interesting to see what influence armstrong has in the future now that fate's stuck him on the largest naughty step that could be found.

 

[DogTired]

Winning a race, and being awarded / retaining the title are not necessarily the same thing

I'm not aware of any corner cases where winning and being awarded the title are not the same thing??? But having a title taken away is the same as not winning.

Retaining is a future event so no, retaining the title next year is different from winning it last year.

 

[DogTired]

Now ValvPiti Valverde has come out in support of Armstrong.

What's Spanish for 3 dickheads?

Tapas.

 

[rich p]

'tres pelotudo' maybe!

 

[DogTired]

'tres pelotudo' maybe!

I think I've had that as tapas as well!

 

[dragon72]

we'd call 'em "pendejos" here.
ándale.

 

[PpPete]

Apologies if this link (of more historical interest tham anything else) has been posted elswhere:
http://www.roadcycling.com/news-res...gclid=CMWF1OzWmbMCFanItAodzG0A9Q#.UIfkP2c2fKc
Talks about some of the catalysts that set the whole thing unravelling, but I thought this was particularly telling:

Another factor that helped bring Armstrong down was the simple fact he is a jerk. While he literally has millions of fans on Twitter, his real life is filled with broken friendships and angry ex-teammates.

 

[Andrew_P]

I would say the main factor in the case getting revisted was when he re-registered as pro early this year late last year to compete in pro Tris and Ironman's I reckon this pissed a few people off.

 

[ColinJ]

I would say the main factor in the case getting revisted was when he re-registered as pro early this year late last year to compete in pro Tris and Ironman's I reckon this ****ed a few people off.

Does a UCI (cycling) ban stop him from competing in other pro sports too?

 

[Alun]

Any organisation that is signed up to the WADA code, I believe! He has been racing in some MTB events since USADA anounced their judgement.

 

[mickle]

Article in The Onion

 

[ufkacbln]

I'm not aware of any corner cases where winning and being awarded the title are not the same thing??? But having a title taken away is the same as not winning.

Retaining is a future event so no, retaining the title next year is different from winning it last year.

So we agree?

Winning the race is being the first across the line ......


Awarding the title has always been dependent on other factors

From disqualification for conduct to after race testing the award is not a certainty