has lances comeback been a success so far?

littleknown

i think it has but he really needs to seal it with a podium place, but so far you have to admit its pretty impressive.

( good going for roche too!_his articles make great insider reading, hopefully one day we will get another top cyclist )

Running Bing

littleknown wrote: »

i think it has but he really needs to seal it with a podium place, but so far you have to admit its pretty impressive.

( good going for roche too!_his articles make great insider reading, hopefully one day we will get another top cyclist )

He's been damn impressive so far imo.

For me he is favourite atm to take 2nd place and after a three year lay off at 37 to be even in contention that is good riding.

Will be very interesting to see what he can do next year. The cobwebs have been well and truly blown away and he'll have a shiny new team all working for him and him alone. Very excited to see that.

Aoibheann

That he can come back after a few years off and still turn in a top 5 perfomance (4th thus far, could well be a podium if he sticks it to the Schlecks come the ITT and can grit his teeth and stick with them on the Ventoux) would be unbelieveable from anyone else. But we've come to expect weird and wonderful things from the Texan at this point.

Many people have made the point that Jan Ullrich was always the more talented of the two, but that Lance wanted it more. That urge to win hasn't gone, so he can still remain reasonably competitive because he makes damn well sure he's fit and doesn't give in. I reckon a lot of his performance this year is sheer stubbornness!

Fact is, he's stuck with all but Contador and the Schlecks thus far (a bad day Sunday excluded). I'm almost more impressed by this year's performace than any of his Tour wins (almost I say!) purely because he's put up a good showing after so long out - and this was the first time he'd done the Giro really with it (not a great showing there, but at the same time, 12th in a Grand Tour is no mean feat).

I gotta say, it must really sting Menchov, Evans et al to see him do it when they're cracking all over the place.

ednwireland

don't really care
but he's probably riding the increase in cycling in english speaking countries (partially driven by him)
but all the politics thing is annoying the sooner he's in his own team the better.

love the way everyone says he's old, he's younger than me ( and fitter richer etc etc)

Vélo

Don't forget he nearly didn't make the tour after the accident he had. I think it was his collarbone he broke a couple of months ago. That wouldn't have helped his plans/training either.

lukester

I know blorg posted this before, but I wonder when this will happen: Lance beats cancer for good

"I owe it to myself, to my fans, and to cancer's opponents around the world to prove that I can beat this deadly disease..."

ROK ON

I had huge admiration for the man years ago, then grew to hate him and the bullying arrogance.
Now I find myself being won over again.I would like to see him get on the podium.

I cant wait to see him in TOI, but would be worried will he have a team by then?

Grudging respect.

Lumen

His cycling has been incredible, given his age and disrupted preparation.

I saw an interview with him yesterday where he came across really well, talking about how today was an important day because his kids were coming. Aaah.

He's actually quite charming with his helmet off.

I seem to have Star Wars on the brain today.

ROK ON

Lance - the stormtrooper fighting cancer!!!

FrankGrimes

ROK ON wrote: »

I had huge admiration for the man years ago, then grew to hate him and the bullying arrogance.
Now I find myself being won over again.I would like to see him get on the podium.

I cant wait to see him in TOI, but would be worried will he have a team by then?

Grudging respect.

+1 on that, can't help but have respect for what he's doing at the moment, particularly given that my hunch is he is clean this year.

bosra

I read an article before the TdF started by an american sports writer for cnbc..he suggested armstrong give up and not enter..basically cos he had no chance of winning and he didn't have anything else to prove and his legacy would only be diminished by entering..Personally, i think his performances are inspirational given his age and his disrupted training coming into event..and only build on his legacy..I love his determination and passion and his unwillingness to give up the fight either on the bike or against cancer..

Genghis

I like his style, I have to say. Looking forward to the TT and Saturday. Would love him to take 2nd. What's interesting is that if he had come second three years ago, having won 7 on the trot, it would have been seen as spoiling his legendary success. Whereas timing his return now the same result means the legend continues.

stopped_clock

I know it's been said elsewhere, but tbh I'm slightly uncomfortable with the language used around LA's cancer with implications (intended or otherwise) that he "beat" cancer through determination and willpower.

It strikes me as unfair to those who don't beat the disease and unhelpful to those who are trying to (studies* having shown mental attitude has little or no impact on prognosis).

Back on topic: +1 on the expressions of grudging respect.

* yeah I know - there's always a "study" which "they" did to prove everything

DeadMan1

very impressive after the lay off ... don't think he'll do any better next year though. Contador & Schlecks too strong. my respect for him has reluctantly increased ... and i'm sure the french will love him more when he's not winning ... although his 'subtle' twitter swipes at Contador are childish.

Poncherello

stopped_clock wrote: »

I know it's been said elsewhere, but tbh I'm slightly uncomfortable with the language used around LA's cancer with implications (intended or otherwise) that he "beat" cancer through determination and willpower.

It strikes me as unfair to those who don't beat the disease and unhelpful to those who are trying to (studies* having shown mental attitude has little or no impact on prognosis).

Back on topic: +1 on the expressions of grudging respect.

* yeah I know - there's always a "study" which "they" did to prove everything

Agree but I have no respect for him.
Do you honestly believe he is doing this for anyone but himself and his future political career

And to answer the question - Unless he wins the tour NO

buck65

Poncherello wrote: »

Agree but I have no respect for him.
Do you honestly believe he is doing this for anyone but himself and his future political career

And to answer the question - Unless he wins the tour NO

Personally I hope he doesn't make the podium. Don't like the guy at all.

Húrin

littleknown wrote: »

i think it has but he really needs to seal it with a podium place, but so far you have to admit its pretty impressive.

( good going for roche too!_his articles make great insider reading, hopefully one day we will get another top cyclist )

Roche has been writing articles? Where?

davyjose

Armstrong is the man. I worship the guy. His temperament, his killer instinct, he's the perfect winner. sure, he might be a bit brash, and he has perhaps bullied other riders, but he's hugely popular in the peloton, so he can't be all that bad. Besides, considering all the good he's done for his fight against Cancer, surely his good traits out-weigh his bad ones.

And when he broke the yawn-fest of bland, personality-free europeans winning the Tour year after year, it was the best thing to happen he sport - a sport that could have died under the weight of controversy.

The guy is a legend. Go Lance.

* This might be biased fan-worship, but no more biased than the people who "don't like the guy" for whatever reason (none given).

** Any bets on Nike-Livestrong being his team next year?

davyjose

Poncherello wrote: »

Agree but I have no respect for him.
Do you honestly believe he is doing this for anyone but himself and his future political career

And to answer the question - Unless he wins the tour NO

All the people suffering from cancer who view the man as a massive inspiration might beg to differ. but i guess they're wrong, yeah? Cos they're not Poncherello from the internet.

ROK ON

Bloomberg are saying the new team will be Radioshack.

Quoting an ESPN report.

Poncherello

davyjose wrote: »

All the people suffering from cancer who view the man as a massive inspiration might beg to differ. but i guess they're wrong, yeah? Cos they're not Poncherello from the internet.

Confused ????

Are you taking his side ..... as some of your other posts today would suggest you get suspicious quite easily when it comes to time trialists being beaten by climbers ?

Or are you just having a go at me cause u dont like my name and where I'm from !?

stopped_clock

Húrin wrote: »

Roche has been writing articles? Where?

He's had a tour diary in the Independent. Apparently ghost-written.

Running Bing

Poncherello wrote: »

Confused ????

Are you taking his side ..... as some of your other posts today would suggest you get suspicious quite easily when it comes to time trialists being beaten by climbers ?

Or are you just having a go at me cause u dont like my name and where I'm from !?

I dont think its about taking sides, Its just unusual for somebody to have no respect for a person who has done what he has done.

Plenty of people hate him and find him an abhorrent personality, probably for good reason, but to have no respect for him just seems silly.

davyjose

Poncherello wrote: »

Confused ????

Are you taking his side ..... as some of your other posts today would suggest you get suspicious quite easily when it comes to time trialists being beaten by climbers ?

Or are you just having a go at me cause u dont like my name and where I'm from !?

Yes, I bloody am taking his side. The most inspirational athlete of my lifetime, dude

but I see where you're trying to catch me; you've clearly patrolled my comments to strengthen your arguments, so I suppose I should clarify ... Armstrong struggled against Pantani (a specialist climber). He admits that himself. However, on the occasions that Pantani done damage, Armstrong was able to limit the damage. When he didn't face a climber of the absolute quality that Pantani possessed, he won sometimes. But he did not flaunt it in the VERY doubtful way Contador did this week.

In a very strong field, Contador has Dominated the mountains (to the point where he isolates his own team mates, AND breaks team orders), and somehow he beats one of the greatest TTers ever - Cancellera?

What Contador did today has never, ever, ever happened in the history of professional sport. So you can counter my doubts all you want. Butput forth a decent argument dude. I'm not picking on you - so don't take it personally.

davyjose

Running Bing wrote: »

I dont think its about taking sides, Its just unusual for somebody to have no respect for a person who has done what he has done.

Plenty of people hate him and find him an abhorrent personality, probably for good reason, but to have no respect for him just seems silly.

If Contador is Legit, then he's the greatest athlete in the history of Sport. I haven't ruled that out, mind; Two weeks ago I considered Lance to be the greatest athlete in the history of Sport. So I'm not gonna hang Contador. However, there's not many people alive who haven't accused Lance of doping, so why should Contador not pass under the same Radar?

stevie_b

davyjose wrote: »

If Contador is Legit, then he's the greatest athlete in the history of Sport. I haven't ruled that out, mind; Two weeks ago I considered Lance to be the greatest athlete in the history of Sport. So I'm not gonna hang Contador. However, there's not many people alive who haven't accused Lance of doping, so why should Contador not pass under the same Radar?

i could never consider someone who was/is so obviously a cheat as being ''the greatest athlete in the history of sport'', or ''the most inspirational athlete of my time''....... but that's just me

davyjose

stevie_b wrote: »

i could never consider someone who was/is so obviously a cheat as being ''the greatest athlete in the history of sport'', or ''the most inspirational athlete of my time''....... but that's just me

Yeah, poor old Virenque, Pantani & Ullrich, who never used drugs :rolleyes:

stevie_b

davyjose wrote: »

Yeah, poor old Virenque, Pantani & Ullrich, who never used drugs :rolleyes:

don't be silly, of course they did.

Poncherello

Davyjose I really cant get my head around your comments.
How you can have such faith in Armstrong given your doubts about contador is baffling.

redmaxi

I think perhaps for the first time ever LA is riding clean but Alberto does looks very suss, wouldn't surprise me if he gets caught 'somehow' and Armstrong bathes himself in glory.

Nietzschean

redmaxi wrote: »

I think perhaps for the first time ever LA is riding clean but Alberto does looks very suss, wouldn't surprise me if he gets caught 'somehow' and Armstrong bathes himself in glory.

so when he was younger and winning he was doping, now that he's older/past it and its much more unlikely for him to do well and he's on a podium spot at the tdf he's clean ?

BryanL

davyjose wrote: »

Yeah, poor old Virenque, Pantani & Ullrich, who never used drugs :rolleyes:

Greg lemond never did, and he came back from being shot to win 2 more tours! He won the worlds twice, once beating kelly in the sprint finish.

I can see how prarmstrong can be an inspiration to people touched by cancer.

But not as an athlete.
Bryan

alfalad

Nietzschean wrote: »

so when he was younger and winning he was doping, now that he's older/past it and its much more unlikely for him to do well and he's on a podium spot at the tdf he's clean ?

I think during the tour he is releatively clean and maybe totally, he's not stupid and if he was caught it would ruin him. Although maybe he has discovered something new that doesn't show up. But i also think when he decided to make his comeback, a long time before he actually anounced it this is when he was taking everything he could to try and build himself up to a level where he could compete then he just had to try and hold that level, as he wasn't racing as much i think he is fresher which is also helping him!
Thats just my take on it!

Cran

as I watch LA in the tour and the giro its fantastic, the pain and effort after 4 years is amazing to watch. was never a fan and always presumed he wasn't clean but as I watch him this year you start to think maybe he was naturally that good... so far he nearly has me turned....