Lance drops the hammer

“I have read that Lnace is one of the most tested atheletes in history and has always been clean. The difference with Lance is that he offers more then his word to his accusers, he offers medical and scientific proof in his blood whereas the others refuse testing.”

“And besides all the testing he trains like no one else. Most of his peers couldn’t or wouldn’t train at his level. He even sleeps in a low oxygen environment to simulate high elevation living. There are explanations for the successes other than roids.”

“I like Armstrong for what he has accomplished. But no way is he the best cyclist. The others who won the Tour de France 3,4,5 times also won other races. He hardly ever competes in those and when he does he doesn't do that great.

Look up what Eddy Merck or Miguel Indurain did. They trained to win all the races not just one. Which is what I think Armstrong has done.”

“he used to run lots of races but he is getting old and has talked about retiring for a long time so he has slowed down and still kicks butt. And how do you train for one race, isn't training training. That race is also sppoused to be the hardest, just cause he doesn;t do that well doesn't mean much, the others just aren't his race
last edited: 4/08/05 7:06:46 PM”

“ewker, that is common claim about lance not being the best cyclist, this is true in the context of racing in general. But the era of the greats who were race riders like Merck is going away. Specialization is the way of the day, he is focused like a laser beam on the tour. His tour record will be unmatched for years maybe decades to come, he will be known as the ebst tour rider ever.

Mtn Gal is right is right about his training he road the Alps DeHuez (SP?) route numerous times and knew the line to take on individual corners which would give him 1/10 of a second leads which when neck and neck with an oponent is huge psychologically. In an era of doping and ego's Lance stands out as a true athletic role model.”

“Lance is going to have a press conference April 18th. Any bets on whether he announces his retirement at the end of the race seson.

BTW anyone going to the Tour de Georgia.


Birch, you make my point about him training just for the T de F by saying he practiced riding the Alps section with all the switchbacks many times.

Again don't get me wrong. I think what he has done is amazing esp after almost dieing from cancer. I just have my doubts about him being the best ALL AROUND cyclist”

“who is the best all around then?”

“carlette, you have to go back and look at the other cyclist who have won the T de F many times but also won other races. Eddy Merck would be one.”

“isn't T de F THE Masters's of cycling?”

“Ewker, I believe he's won a few more races than the Tour de France. In fact, I believe he may have won last year's Tour De Georgia. He concentrates on the Tour de France because it's the greatest race in cycling.

As far as practicing in the Alps, just where would you like him to practice for a mountain race? Kansas?”

“yes, it is the top race because of how long it last.”

“geerz, he did a lot of practicing for the T de F in NC. Lots of hills over there.

I was talking about that one section in the T de F where all the switchbacks are. I know it is in the Alps but forgot what it was called. He rode that sometimes 2-3 times a day which is unbelievable.
last edited: 4/15/05 10:41:24 AM”

“well duhhh”

“It's almost a given that he'll retire in a year, or so. The rumor here is that he's going to announce his marriage to Cheryl Crow.”

“she has a place right outside of Nashville so maybe they will be here some of the time.”

“Another reason he practices in the Alps is that it's right out his backdoor. Doesn't he live in France the majority of the time?”

“don't know, he probably has quite a few places and if he marries her he will have a few more places to call home.”

“Either France or Texas. They're pretty much the same as each other anyway, right?”

“All I know is that I can understand the people in France easier.

Who lies more I'm not really sure.”

“Fuego! Fuego!”

“The Paceline

Peleton Project”

“Eddy Merckx. No one else comes close.”

“Big Mig was pretty good, but I think Lance outdoes him, but Merkx wins overall I think.”

“all around is eddy for sure, best tour rider is lance and when he wins again it'll be undeniable.”

“Lance's Career Highlights

2004
1st Tour de France, six stage wins including the Team Time Trial
1st Tour of Alrgarve stage win, 5th overall
1st Tour de Georgia, two stage wins
1st Midi Libre stage win, 6th overall
3rd Criterium International
4th Dauphine Libere
23d Tour of Murcia

2003
1st Tour de France, two stage wins including the Team Time Trial
1st Dauphine Libre, one stage win
8th Amstel Gold
20th Liege-Bastogne-Liege
8th End of year world ranking

2002
1st Tour de France, four stage wins
1st Midi Libre
1st Dauphine Libre, one stage win
2nd Criterium Internantional
3rd Championship of Zurich
4th Amstel Gold
6th San Francisco Grand Prix
2nd End of year world ranking

2001
1st Tour de France, four stage wins
1st Tour of Switzerland, two stage wins
2nd Amstel Gold
2nd Classique des Alpes
8th Setmana Catalana
12th Tour of Aragon
4th End of year world ranking

2000
1st Tour de France, one stage win
1st GP Eddy Merckx 2-man TT with "Eki" Ekimov
1st GP des Nations
2nd Paris-Camembert
3rd Dauphine Libere, one stage win, King of the Mountains winner
3rd Olympic Time Trial
3rd Classique des Alpes
4th GP Gippingen
7th GP Miguel Indurain
13th Olympic Road Race
4th End of year world ranking

1999
1st Tour de France, four stage wins
1st Dauphine Libere stage win, 8th overall
1st Circuit de la Sarthe stage win
1st Route de Sud stage win
2nd Amstel Gold
2nd Ride for the Roses criterium
7th Tour of Aragon
7th End of year world ranking

1998
1st Tour of Luxembourg, one stage win
1st Rheinland Pfalz Tour
1st Ride for the Roses criterium
1st Cascade Classic
2nd First Union Invitational
4th USPro Championship
4th Tour of Holland
4th Vuelta Espana
4th World Time Trial Championship
4th World Road Race Championship
25th End of year world ranking

1997 Lance joins Team USPS

1996
1st Fleche Wallone
1st Tour DuPont, five stage wins
1st Fresca Classic stage win
2nd Paris-Nice
2nd Liege-Bastogne-Liege
2nd GP Eddy Merckx
2nd Tour of Holland
4th Leeds Classic
4th GP Suisse
6th Olympic Time Trial
8th GP Harelbeke
11th Milan - San Remo
12th Olympic Road Race
14th San Sebastian Classic
17th Amstel Gold
9th End of year world ranking

1995
1st stage win Tour de France, 36th overall
1st San Sebastian Classic
1st Tour DuPont, three stage wins
1st Paris-Nice stage win
1st West Virginia Mountain Classic, one stage win
1st Tour of America race series
2nd Thrift Drug Classic
5th CoreStates USPro Championship
6th Liege-Bastogne-Liege
15th End of year world ranking

1994
1st Thrift Drug Classic
2nd Tour DuPont, one stage win
2nd Liege-Bastogne-Liege
2nd San Sebastian Classic
7th Tour of Switzerland
7th World Road Race Championship
25th End of year world ranking

1993
1st World Road Race Championship
1st Tour de France stage win
1st CoreStates USPro Championship
1st Trofeo Laigueglia
1st Thrift Drug Classic
1st Tour of Galicia
1st West Virginia Mountain Classic, two stage wins
1st Tour of America series
* Winner of $1 million Thrift Drug Triple Crown
2nd Tour DuPont, one stage win
3rd Tour of Sweden, one stage win
5th Leeds Classic
9th Paris-Nice
14th Championship of Zurich
21st End of year world ranking

1992
1st First Union Grand Prix
1st Thrift Drug Classic
1st Trittico Premondiale second leg
1st La Primavera Tour, three stage wins
1st Settimana Bergamasca stage win
2nd Championship of Zurich
8th Coppa Bernocchi
12th Tour DuPont
14th Tour of Galicia, one stage win
14th Olympic Road Race
17th GP Teleglobe
* Signed with Motorola following Olympics

1991 * Signed with Subaru-Montgomery
1st US Amateur Championship
1st Settimana Bergamasca

1990
5th US Amateur Time Trial Championship
11th World Amateur Championship”

“looks like he wins lots more then just one race”

“Just a few of Merckx's Achievements


5 times Tour de France winner (1969-72, 1974) and 35 stage wins. Wore yellow jersey for a record 96 days.

5 times Giro d'Italia winner (1968, 1970, 1972-74) and 25 stage wins.

Vuelta a Espana winner (1973)

World Champion (1967,1971,1974)

Hour record (49.431 km, 1972-84)

3 times Paris-Nice winner (1969-71)

Tour of Switzerland (1974)

7 times Milan-San Remo winner (1966-67, 1969, 1971-72, 1975-76)

Tour of Flanders (1969,1975)

Paris-Roubaix (1968, 1970, 1973)

Liege-Bastogne-Liege (1969, 1971-73, 1975)

Amstel Gold Race (1973,1975)

Tour of Lombardy (1971-72)

Het Volk (1971,1973)

Ghent-Wevelgem (1967, 1969-70, 1973)

Fleche-Wallonne (1967, 1970, 1972, 1975)

Paris-Brussels (1973)

Henninger Turm (1971)

Grand Prix des Nations (1973)


Merckx is almost unanimously considered the world's greatest cyclist with 445 professional victories. He won the world amateur championship in 1964. Three years later he was to hold the professional title.

Eddy Merckx was voted Belgian sportsman of the year six times and on three occasions he earned the title International Sportsman. On December 15 2000 Merckx was voted Belgian sportsman of the century.

In a career spanning 17 years he was the only cyclist to win the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a Espana and Tour of Switzerland. He was one of only two cyclists, along with Stephen Roche, to win the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and world championship in the same year (1970). He was one of two cyclists (with Miguel Indurain) to take the Tour de France and the hour record in the same year. In 1969, Merckx won all three major classifications (overall, points, and King of the Mountains) of the Tour de France.

Eddy Merckx retired from the sport in May 1978 due to persistent back problems
last edited: 4/15/05 10:46:40 PM”

“Lance announces he will retire.

Armstrong says he will retire after Tour de France

ATLANTA, Georgia, April 18 (Reuters) - Six-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong said on Monday he would retire after this year's Tour in July.

The 33-year-old American was addressing a news conference. Armstrong came back from being diagnosed with cancer in 1996 to win a record six Tour de France titles between 1999 and 2004. Three men -- Jacques Anquetil (1961-64), Eddy Merckx (1969-72) and Miguel Indurain (1991-95) -- won the event five times.”

“I do admire his victory over cancer and his incredible stamina.

He saved his seed prior to his surgery and had at least two kids by insemination with his then wife, now ex-wife.

He divorced her.

He now hangs with Sheryl.

Soooooo...I have mixed thoughts about him...

Live Strong, Yes.

Loyalty Strong, No.”

“I went out to the presentation of teams here in Augusta at the Tour de Georgia yesterday. The race kicks off this AM. First stage from here to Macon. Lots of good riders here. Nice to have the opportunity to see Lance ride a bike. I got Landis's autograph, too. Good stuff. Go Phonak and Discovery!”

“I see Tyler Hamilton got a 1-2 yr suspension for doping.”

“Highcountry, I don't think it is fair to equate ending a marriage with a lack of loyalty. Do you know about what their marital issues were and do you know why they decided to end the marriage, or even whose decision it was?

Not looking for an argument here, just, I guess, defending those of us who have had to end marriages, despite making every attempt to make them work.”

“I agree with Fritz. Maybe she wanted the divorce? Who knows?”

“I gotta throw in my dittos here, too. I think divorce is a bad thing. I think many people resort to it too quickly. I didn't want mine and I think it hurt my children. Nonetheless there are worse things than divorce - sometimes it is the better choice. Even when it isn't, I don't think it fair to judge those who - in the thick of things make that mistake.

I don't think we know what either Lance or his ex-wife went through in the marriage. I also understand that he became involved with his ex-wife after he was through surgery and treatment. She did not see him through there. If I'm wrong, please correct me.”

“Fritz, you are right.
pedxing. You may be right.
I do not know the issues.
I just know that he froze his seed prior to marriage, then she went thru in vitro fertilization (not a comfortable procedure for a woman) which resulted in normal (thank God) kids.
Then they divorced.
In my family, I have a brother for whom his bike is everything. He puts the machine first in importance in his life...
before his wife, his daughter,our widowed mother and God.
He just does not get it that he is self-absorbed.
So, you see, perhaps I am not entire objective on this one...
Also, I once asked a woman to marry me after being together three years and seeing her thru some serious illness. I was loyal to the end. She married her coworker "friend" four months later.
So, you see...again, I may not be fully objective.
Loyalty, integrity are two values I value most.
There ya go.”

“I went out and watched yesterday. Lots of folks out to see the start, even at 1130 on a Tuesday. They did thre laps downtown before heading out for good. I went downtown and watched. Pretty good 'cause they went by four times.

From there I got in the car and high-tailed it to Milledgeville to watch the end of a sprint section. I got there about 1.25 hrs early and the town was rockin' and ready. The street was lined with people and there was a BMX half-pipe set up for crowd entertainment. We got reports that Dan Bowman, from TIAA Kref team, was ahead of the peleton, as much as 13 minutes. When they came thru Milledgeville it was down to about 6 minutes. The sprint was cool, watching the battle to the line. The pack flew by and they were gone. The peleton caught Bowman, and Robert Hunter of team Phonak won the stage. Apparently it was an exciting sprint finish.

It was great to see and I'm glad I had the chance. I might head out to Rome and watch the TT tomorrow. We'll see...”

“After reading "Its Not About the Bike" and "Every Second Counts", I was saddened to hear about their separation and then divorce. He decided to keep racing in Europe, she and the kids were in the States much of the time and the drift began. I have never heard him say anything bad about her, or her about him. Then he hooked up with Sheryl Crow and it seemed very cheap. Sheryl was at the Ride for the Roses, sang the National Anthem and rode out with the lead group.

However disappointed I have been in that, however, I've heard about him since he was first identified as a possible successor to LeMond, followed his illness in the news, was amazed as everyone at his comeback. Most of all, however, I am impressed with the determination he has shown to use his fame and good fortune to raise money and awareness for the support of cancer survivors, cancer education and research.

The Peloton Project alone is astonishing.
It has already raised more than $1 million this year to help people with cancer live strong and in five years the Peloton Project has raised more than $16 million for the LAF.

All in all, like all of us he has his faults, but he has also done a great deal of good.

My Peloton Project Page”

“I have been an Armstrong fan since the mid 80's, and his athletic abilities have me awestruck. I have been a Sheryl Crow fan from her first recording (90's)and have all of her cd's. When I heard they got together I was confused. When did he get to meet/know of her, and how did she (after kid rock) meet up with the likes of him? I must keep them "seperate" in celebrity affection.”

“Saw this on RBR's newsletter today:

http://www.thetourbaby.com/hall_of_fame_page.shtml”

“from RBR's newsletter today. BTW this is a great newsletter you can receive each week.
http://www.roadbikerider.com/index.htm

you can get their E-book free


Wake-up Call

If you have access to the Outdoor Life Network, don't miss the Dodge Tour de Georgia highlight show this Sunday at 5-7 p.m. ET.

Whatta race! The hilly terrain, the stormy weather and the star-studded field produced one of the most dramatic weeks in North America's road cycling history.

Above all were two significant results.

First, Lance Armstrong has some serious ground to make up before the start of the Tour de France on July 2. He finished fifth in Georgia after a shockingly poor performance in stage 3's 18-mile time trial. He lost a huge 1:46 to stage winner Floyd Landis and was beaten by seven other riders as well.

Second, former mountain bike racer Tom Danielson, 27, emerged as the potential "next Lance." The two are teammates on Discovery Channel, this being Danielson's first season with the squad. In Georgia he displayed the climbing and time trialing ability it takes to win stage races.

Danielson's overall victory was sealed in the penultimate stage, which ended atop Brasstown Bald Mountain, Georgia's highest elevation with grades of 20%. The road is so steep that even Armstrong was using a 39x27-tooth low gear.

With Lance keeping an eye on then-race-leader Landis, Danielson attacked on the mountain, began making time, and then dropped breakaway companion Levi Leipheimer to solo into the overall lead -- by four seconds.

"There will never be another Lance Armstrong," was Danielson's quick response to the inevitable expectations raised by his victory. "I just want to do the best I can in the future."

Next he will learn what a three-week stage race is like. He'll ride the May 6-30 Giro d'Italia and play a captain's role to Discovery Channel leader Paolo Savoldelli, the 2002 Giro winner. But if Savoldelli should falter . . .

Armstrong, meanwhile, is back in Texas, spending time with his three kids and figuring out what he needs to do in the next 10 weeks to have the best chance of winning his seventh consecutive Tour de France.

"I have to re-evaluate where I am and evaluate what needs work," he told cyclingnews.com before leaving Georgia. "Clearly the time-trial was bad. You can't do time-trials like that and win the Tour de France, that's for sure. So I have to look at where I am. Is it lack of time-trialing, is it a problem with lack of time on the time-trial bike, is it climbing, is it my condition? Did I not do enough in the winter? Um, I don't think so."

Lance summed up, noting a positive: He felt better as the week's 650 miles of racing wore on.

"I think I'm on track. I don't know that it's perfect, but I'm not far off. So, the next few weeks after this will dictate a lot about what will happen this summer. I know that you have to look at every aspect of cycling: the training, the diet, the rest, the recovery, the lack of distraction. All that stuff has to be perfect in order to win another Tour."”

“Armstrong & Danielson better watch out for a guy named Cunego. He is a great climber & a good time trialist.”

“current Outside issue has some interesting articles on Lance, Discovery and this years TDF.”

“...Man, if this Lance guy could maybe hang onto the dang hammer, he could make a living as a carpenter instead of chasing cars on a bicycle......!?”

“Team Discovery

OLNTV Coverage Schedule:
Tour de France
July 2-24
Pre-race 8:30-9am ET
Live 9-11:30am ET
Re-air 12-2pm ET
Re-air 2:30-4:30pm ET
Re-air 5-7pm ET

Pre-Race Show
8-8:30pm ET

Primetime Coverage
8:30-11pm ET
9-11:30pm PT
12-2:30am ET


Le Tour Official Page

Bicycling Mag, TDF coverage

Velo News Coverage”

“I upgraded from Basic cable jsut for the month of july.


its 12.00 to comeout and upgrade. $40 extra for the month and $12 to take it down.



So lance is costing me $64 in cable to see him ride. I hope he's worth it!”

“Lance is back in Yellow.


Unfortunately not cleanly. That is, CSC had Discovery by 2 seconds at 2k from the end. David Zabriskie grazed at teammates wheel in a sharp turn and went down with less than 2 k.


His team dropped him and went on to finish 2 seconds behind Discovery. So they lost 4 seconds in that last 2 k. Zabriskie finished after his team, apparently torn up pretty bad.

WIth Discovery winning the time trial, Zabriskie not finishing with his team, that puts Lance in yellow. Zabriskie has fallen in the GC contention. Not sure how far, but out of the top 5 in any event.

In the current GC standings it is Lance 1; geoprge Hincape 2.”

“Zabriskie finished the stage 1:28 behind the Discovery.


So, with a previus advantage of 2 seconds, that would put him down 1:26 to Lance.


CSC's GC contender, Ivan Basso finished with the team, only 2 seonds behind armstrong and crew . so he is still in the hunt.”

“stinks for Zabriskie, but WOO HOO for Lance and Discovery!”

“So far the best day of racing in this Tour was the day when Discovery did not cover Lance and he had to mark the breaks by himself. It turned out they were just testing him to see what he would do. They found out. Lance still has it in him.

He leads by 2:46 today.”

“that boy can ride!!!!!!!”