The Lance Chronicles

[ArmOnFire]

Reality TV has moved to cycling! They have Lance now!

Watching OLN's coverage of the Criterium Intl. last night and they are pumping a new series starting April 29th, every week at 8:30pm, up to the tour.

Might actually be worth watching IMHO.

Go to OLN.com for more info.

[AA]

I dont get OLN, damn!

Last year my cable company turned it on just before the tour, but shut it off a few month later. I called and requested that they add it as an option, I'll have to wait and see.

While we are on the subject of Lance; It is amazing how many people have turned on the guy. Ever since he split with his wife most women dislike him. It also seems that many men are tired of him. Lance has become like many athletes/celebs. we love to build them up only to knock them dowm. Who cares who Lance hangs out with or dates, it's none of my business. I care about how he rides. My contention is that not only is he the BEST American cyclist ever that he may be the BEST cyclist ever period. Granted his training focus is on the tour only but look how he can dominate a climbing stage then go out and win an individual TT. We all know his fitness and power are top notch but tactically he is very good and he has proven to be a skillfull bikehandler, keeping relitavely injury free.

Now I know that Tyler is everyones favorite around here. I like Tyler too. He is so likable and personable, however personality dosent win bike races, talent does. Tyler has talent but Lance has more.

[jaime]

AA, my impression is that in past years Lance's popularity in the US had as much to do with his lack of American-born competitors as with his dominance of cycling events. Think about it, who were we to root for (as far as the home team goes)? Bobby Julich? Nah, nice guy but not the flamboyant personality nor the talent of Lance.

So, along comes this kid, practically out of nowhere, who wins grand tours with broken scapulas, has to have his teeth capped in the off season, cause he grinds 'em down while riding (winning) through the pain. Add in that he's got the talent, is young & appealing (so they tell me, who am I to judge?) and you can see where it's all going: super rivalry. I think it's good for cycling's profile on these shores. Besides, Lance is a big boy, he can take it if people turn on him a bit. Plus, he's got all those dead pres trading cards from Comcast & Subaru to console himself with.

Best cyclist ever? Big Tex is a distant #2 to Eddy. Check the #'s, Merckx won an astonishing percentage of the races he entered. It's as if there were no tune-up races for this guy, every time out it was do-or-die. And he has one of my favorite cycling quotes ever to his credit: "I've never been afraid to have a cigarette or a beer." Now that's my kind of guy!

[AA]

The "Cannibal" was quite a stud wasnt he, I believe that he won somewhere around 30% of the races he entered. Keep in mind was a different time, training and racing approaches were far less scientific than today. Most races (or seasons for that matter) were a battle of attrition, grinding your opponents into the ground. Back in the day they raced more, no one skipped the spring classics to tune up for the tour. Put Armstrong "back in the day" and race the same schedule as everyone else and I think he would fare well against Merckx. Lance has consistently proven he has a bigger motor than everyone.

This comparison is similar to putting Barry Bonds back in the 30's or Babe Ruth playing baseball now, kind of apples and oranges. I still say if he wins # 6 he ranks with the greatest of all time.

Lance 1st
Tyler 2nd
Vinukorof (sp?) 3rd

[Big Game]

Yeah if the Babe were alive today, imagine the homers he could hit being all juiced up. Unfortunately for most of "you people," he'd be hitting quite a few against the Red Sox.

Man, then imagine how bizarre Ruth's behavior would be on a 'roid rage...I bet he could out-crazy Pedro.

It's real hard to compare great over the ages, but I'd still go with Eddy...not that I was there, but I he enjoyed making others suffer so much, and he had a large volume of hwins , that has to count for something. But who knows, if Lance gets #5 (which still is a big if), I may reconsider. And then we have to ask, who really cares what my opinion is...guys twice as slow as either of them could kick my arse. Maybe I should stop typing and get to riding...but it is so cloudy out. It isn't very warm either. All right, I'll go.

[MrsCouch]

Lance 1st
Tyler 2nd
Vinukorof (sp?) 3rd


How about this:

Tyler 1st
Lance 2nd
Leipheimer 3rd.....

[AA]

An all USA podium, I like the sound of that.

[ArmOnFire]

Hey Big Game, I hate to be all "Know it All", but the bif IF would be number 6, he already won 5.

Merckx vs. Armstrong

That's a tough one..........

[Big Game]

Hey Big Game, I hate to be all "Know it All", but the bif IF would be number 6, he already won 5.

Merckx vs. Armstrong

That's a tough one..........


Exactly my point...why does my opinion matter? I don't even have the facts straight. thanks for the correction, Tired Arm.

Really? He already got 5? Where does the time go? I was about to say in my original post that the 6th was the big IF, but then I said, to myself...no that can't be right, he could have "only" won 4.

Alright, the clouds have gone way here...I'm almost out of excuses. I need to ride.