Lance Armstrong's big anouncement...

[dd74]

He's starting his own team (with a little help)...

http://www.teamradioshack.com/getready/

[ChkbookMechanic]

I think we all knew Lance wasn't going to play second fiddle to anyone and add to it what Alberto Contador did on the hill climb stage which knocked out his teammates from finishing 2 and 3 in the Tour you could see an exodus of most of that team going with Lance.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by ChkbookMechanic

I think we all knew Lance wasn't going to play second fiddle to anyone and add to it what Alberto Contador did on the hill climb stage which knocked out his teammates from finishing 2 and 3 in the Tour you could see an exodus of most of that team going with Lance.

I think it was in the cards all along. Lance knows how good he is, and found himself holding back because of Contador. Contador significantly attacked twice in the TdF; last night's attack being just plain risky and stupid. I bet, though, if Lance didn't have to play the good soldier, he would have been right on Contador's wheel.

Next year, w/ his own team and no drama from Bruneel, I wouldn't be surprised to see Lance wipe The Alps with Contador.

[ChkbookMechanic]

Originally Posted by dd74

I think it was in the cards all along. Lance knows how good he is, and found himself holding back because of Contador. Contador significantly attacked twice in the TdF; last night's attack being just plain risky and stupid. I bet, though, if Lance didn't have to play the good soldier, he would have been right on Contador's wheel.

Next year, w/ his own team and no drama from Bruneel, I wouldn't be surprised to see Lance wipe The Alps with Contador.

I agree, I think Lance saying he was getting back into racing to spread the word about cancer research was just what he was telling himself. He's like most athletes, when they leave the competition they feel a huge part of them is missing.

Sort of like Brett Farve and his on-again off-again relationship with football.

[JavaBrewer]

As much as I respect Armstrong's accomplishments I think you're all smoking dope if you think he will ever beat Contador (or any of the newer studs). I hope LA figures that out before he follows in the footsteps of many once-hero-now-joke athletes.

Admittedly I have not read the linked press release but if LA's role is as a team manager then that would make alot of sense. Team leader (rider)...not so much...

[Garp]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

As much as I respect Armstrong's accomplishments I think you're all smoking dope if you think he will ever beat Contador (or any of the newer studs). I hope LA figures that out before he follows in the footsteps of many once-hero-now-joke athletes.

Admittedly I have not read the linked press release but if LA's role is as a team manager then that would make alot of sense. Team leader (rider)...not so much...

Johan Bruyneel has already confirmed that he's leaving Astana next year, probably to join LA.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

As much as I respect Armstrong's accomplishments I think you're all smoking dope if you think he will ever beat Contador (or any of the newer studs). I hope LA figures that out before he follows in the footsteps of many once-hero-now-joke athletes.

Admittedly I have not read the linked press release but if LA's role is as a team manager then that would make alot of sense. Team leader (rider)...not so much...

Yeah, I mean the guy is all the way back in 3rd place after 18 stages of the TDF.... he is such "joke" now after coming back the way he did. If he had been training hard the last couple years, he still might only be in 2nd place. What a loser.

[JavaBrewer]

I said he COULD become a joke, as have many other pro athletes, if he refuses to accept reality (age). There is much he can do to further his outstanding Livestrong cause w/o having the expectation (burden) of winning the TdF. America is pretty thick when it comes to pro bike racing and from many internet discussions that suggest that Lance will "wipe the mtns" with the Euros just shows how out of touch folks are with the sport. Lance is past his prime. Sure he can still compete for top 10 finishes (for a while) and if that's his goal then fine. Let's not lose touch with reality.

[Highlander179]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

As much as I respect Armstrong's accomplishments I think you're all smoking dope if you think he will ever beat Contador (or any of the newer studs). I hope LA figures that out before he follows in the footsteps of many once-hero-now-joke athletes.

Admittedly I have not read the linked press release but if LA's role is as a team manager then that would make alot of sense. Team leader (rider)...not so much...

Then you haven't been watching. His climbing acceleration is still there... and second to none. He's been riding with handcuffs on and its obvious, because when he does go.... he goes!

[dd74]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

As much as I respect Armstrong's accomplishments I think you're all smoking dope if you think he will ever beat Contador (or any of the newer studs). I hope LA figures that out before he follows in the footsteps of many once-hero-now-joke athletes.

Admittedly I have not read the linked press release but if LA's role is as a team manager then that would make alot of sense. Team leader (rider)...not so much...

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

I said he COULD become a joke, as have many other pro athletes, if he refuses to accept reality (age). There is much he can do to further his outstanding Livestrong cause w/o having the expectation (burden) of winning the TdF. America is pretty thick when it comes to pro bike racing and from many internet discussions that suggest that Lance will "wipe the mtns" with the Euros just shows how out of touch folks are with the sport. Lance is past his prime. Sure he can still compete for top 10 finishes (for a while) and if that's his goal then fine. Let's not lose touch with reality.

Thanks for your insight

I guess you've been missing Armstrong's accelerations for the last two nights and seen how easily he's bridged gaps and breaks, particularly against the Schlecks -- two of the best climbers in the business, and Contador.

Re-read, and re-think what I wrote - two significant attacks taken by Contador - not with Bruyneel's blessing -- particularly the second attack (last night's), and Contador finds himself ahead. Meanwhile, LA has played the team player's role in lieu of Contador flying away.

If they were on different teams, none of this would happen. Armstrong may not accelerate as fast as Contador, but he sustains his sprint longer. And he's smarter as is shown by Contador's actions last night, stranding himself with the Schlecks.

So yes, my money is on Armstrong WIPING the Alps with Contador if he puts together the team some are hinting toward.

[JavaBrewer]

If Lance was 5 years younger I would be on board.

Contador and the many others are just getting better/stronger. Remember Lance getting smoked by Indurain in that time trial. It took years and 100Ks miles before Lance matured to his peak ability. IMO he is on the decent of that peak - lofty as it is.

I watched the entire race this year and still think that Lance would have bridged that first 1:30 gap by Contador if he had the legs to do so. After all, if Contador was indeed going against JB's wishes, then Lance would have had the green light. The results of the TT today only underscore my point.

Put your money on Lance next year if you want. Hell maybe LeMond will lose 30 lbs and re-enter the race too.


All this interest in the TdF has re-ignited my riding desire. I just need to get a road bike

[Highlander179]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

After all, if Contador was indeed going against JB's wishes, then Lance would have had the green light.

No, I don't think so. The sport still has protocol. If he charges on his own team leader while he is a domestique, that sets precedent for someone to do it to him next year.

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

All this interest in the TdF has re-ignited my riding desire. I just need to get a road bike

I was shopping ebay last night too.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by Highlander179

No, I don't think so. The sport still has protocol. If he charges on his own team leader while he is a domestique, that sets precedent for someone to do it to him next year.

However Lance is no simple "domestique", most folks involved with pro racing, including many on his team...possibly even JB, don't see him in that light either. The precedent was set when Lance joined Astana who already had an established TdF leader.

[Highlander179]

But how has he been riding? He's been following protocol. Why? Maybe he knew he couldn't be LA with so little training, so his plans are to go full tilt for a full year plus? Maybe he doesn't want to tarnish his image by causing an in-team disturbance(he hasn't)?

He's riding this one like a good soldier, even if he is more than that. Classy!

Unlike Contador, who is selfish.

Next year will be exciting to see. Anybody got a decent bike (58) they wanna sell?

[dd74]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

The results of the TT today only underscore my point.

True to an extent. Time trials and mountain stages win stage races. (I better flag this thread with a spoiler alert now).

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

Put your money on Lance next year if you want. Hell maybe LeMond will lose 30 lbs and re-enter the race too.

I remember when Joop Zoetemelk won the World Championship at 40. That's impressive.

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

All this interest in the TdF has re-ignited my riding desire. I just need to get a road bike

Wait a month or two until all this TdF hype cools. Prices should drop like bricks.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by Highlander179

But how has he been riding? He's been following protocol. Why? Maybe he knew he couldn't be LA with so little training, so his plans are to go full tilt for a full year plus? Maybe he doesn't want to tarnish his image by causing an in-team disturbance(he hasn't)?

He's riding this one like a good soldier, even if he is more than that. Classy!

Unlike Contador, who is selfish.

Next year will be exciting to see. Anybody got a decent bike (58) they wanna sell?

You nailed it! The sports papers should reflect the same this Sunday.

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

As much as I respect Armstrong's accomplishments I think you're all smoking dope if you think he will ever beat Contador (or any of the newer studs). I hope LA figures that out before he follows in the footsteps of many once-hero-now-joke athletes.

Admittedly I have not read the linked press release but if LA's role is as a team manager then that would make alot of sense. Team leader (rider)...not so much...

True, Lance is a great athlete but he is not getting any younger. I'm sure he still has some good races in him, but for how long? Those young guns are great as well, with most of their careers ahead of them, not behind them, like Lance.

I also agree with the team manager/lead rider comment. Not that I'm wishing for Lance to retire. I really enjoy seeing him ride.

[Zef]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

As much as I respect Armstrong's accomplishments I think you're all smoking dope if you think he will ever beat Contador (or any of the newer studs). I hope LA figures that out before he follows in the footsteps of many once-hero-now-joke athletes.

Admittedly I have not read the linked press release but if LA's role is as a team manager then that would make alot of sense. Team leader (rider)...not so much...

Yup, time to come back on earth....

[dd74]

Originally Posted by Zef

Yup, time to come back on earth....

You (and others) seem to forget something very important - out of 180 riders who started this year's TdF, Armstrong three weeks later is in third place. He is 38 yrs. old, four years out of the sport, and yet his chances of a podium finish are very good.

Enough said, except...

I believe the term is "...time to come back to earth."

[Porsche-O-Phile]

He did start training in earnest for the TdF return this year rather late. It showed during the Gyro d'Italia.

A year of solid, Lance-style training at the highest level will put him in contention to possibly rival Contadore next year. He's pretty close to that level now, but I agree - eventually his age will get the best of him. I'd say he's got one or two more seasons where he can be a serious contender for the overall GC win before it'll simply be biologically impossible.

The man is amazing to watch though. His worst day is probably still better than my best day.