You sometimes hear the word "class" to describe a rider's talent, and if that's the definition you might doubt Landis' class today. But, after reading the post-race interview you have to realize that he has tremendous character and class in the traditional sense, in that he made no excuses and accepted the defeat very graciously.
Too bad it didn't go better for him. He would've made a worthy winner. He still makes a very good role model.
Now, if we can just get the general non-cycling US public to stop referring to cyclists as "Lance-wannabes" and think of us as "Floyd-wannabes".
"Scott" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
You sometimes hear the word "class" to describe a rider's talent, and if that's the definition you might doubt Landis' class today. But, after reading the post-race interview you have to realize that he has tremendous character and class in the traditional sense, in that he made no excuses and accepted the defeat very graciously.
Too bad it didn't go better for him. He would've made a worthy winner. He still makes a very good role model.
Now, if we can just get the general non-cycling US public to stop referring to cyclists as "Lance-wannabes" and think of us as "Floyd-wannabes".
"Scott" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
You sometimes hear the word "class" to describe a rider's talent, and if that's the definition you might doubt Landis' class today. But, after reading the post-race interview you have to realize that he has tremendous character and class in the traditional sense, in that he made no excuses and accepted the defeat very graciously.
Too bad it didn't go better for him. He would've made a worthy winner. He still makes a very good role model.
Now, if we can just get the general non-cycling US public to stop referring to cyclists as "Lance-wannabes" and think of us as "Floyd-wannabes".
You sometimes hear the word "class" to describe a rider's talent, and if that's the definition you might doubt Landis' class today. But, after reading the post-race interview you have to realize that he has tremendous character and class in the traditional sense, in that he made no excuses and accepted the defeat very graciously.
Too bad it didn't go better for him. He would've made a worthy winner. He still makes a very good role model.
Now, if we can just get the general non-cycling US public to stop referring to cyclists as "Lance-wannabes" and think of us as "Floyd-wannabes".
Gotta hand it to him for being a stand-up guy with no excuses in a tough situation. He didn't blame the hip :
Q: Today had absolutely nothing to do with your hip - it wasn't bothering you?
FL: No, it was not a factor.
It's easy to be a good winner, it's a hell of a lot harder to be just as good after a bad day. Bill C
You sometimes hear the word "class" to describe a rider's talent, and if that's the definition you might doubt Landis' class today. But, after reading the post-race interview you have to realize that he has tremendous character and class in the traditional sense, in that he made no excuses and accepted the defeat very graciously.
Too bad it didn't go better for him. He would've made a worthy winner. He still makes a very good role model.
Now, if we can just get the general non-cycling US public to stop referring to cyclists as "Lance-wannabes" and think of us as "Floyd-wannabes".
Most definitely showed amazing class. It is easy to be a straight talking no [censored] kind of guy when it isn't painful to be a straight talking no [censored] kind of guy. In defeat I have more respect for floyd than I could have ever had for him in victory.
To win the tour it only takes being the best performer, to lose with class, especially in such a tough way, takes a lot of character.
Much respect for Floyd for facing the press today openly and honestly and great admiration for his performances in the face of the pain caused by his hip AVN BUT.................
I think his comments and others I've read in interviews over the years reflect why he's not winning at this level. he lacks the single-mindedness required for greatness. In difficult field of human endeavor, the best are megalomaniacs- look at Lance. In a recent Bicycling interview (don't flame me, I stlll read it), Floyd bragged how he doesn't pay much attention to diet and enjoys a couple of In and Out Burgers after training. At last half a dozen times, including today, I've seen him say "it's just a bicycle race." While that is true, he's near the top of a multi-million dollar international sport/business and that last 1 % of drive/focus just isn't there. Robbie Ventura had exhorted him to go for the stage win yesterday, but he decided to 'ride conservatively' and blew up anyway. For a guy who just lost the maillot jaune after a questionable tactical maneuver the other day, he didn't sound proportionately disappointed in today's cyclingnews.com interview.
These aren't criticisms, just an observation of his perspective. I'm still a fan and hope he can pull one out of his ass today and in the TT.
On 20 Jul 2006 04:00:42 -0700, "Lou D'Amelio" <[email hidden]>
Quoted message said:
I think his comments and others I've read in interviews over the years reflect why he's not winning at this level. he lacks the single-mindedness required for greatness. In difficult field of human endeavor, the best are megalomaniacs- look at Lance. In a recent Bicycling interview (don't flame me, I stlll read it), Floyd bragged how he doesn't pay much attention to diet and enjoys a couple of In and Out Burgers after training. At last half a dozen times, including today, I've seen him say "it's just a bicycle race."
I've heard Jalabert say the same thing (after not winning Liege-Bastogne-Liege one year).
And for sure Indurain was a big megalomaniac. For sure....
Sometimes not having the legs is enough to lose a race.
JT
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Much respect for Floyd for facing the press today openly and honestly and great admiration for his performances in the face of the pain caused by his hip AVN BUT.................
I think his comments and others I've read in interviews over the years reflect why he's not winning at this level. he lacks the single-mindedness required for greatness. In difficult field of human endeavor, the best are megalomaniacs- look at Lance. In a recent Bicycling interview (don't flame me, I stlll read it), Floyd bragged how he doesn't pay much attention to diet and enjoys a couple of In and Out Burgers after training. At last half a dozen times, including today, I've seen him say "it's just a bicycle race." While that is true, he's near the top of a multi-million dollar international sport/business and that last 1 % of drive/focus just isn't there. Robbie Ventura had exhorted him to go for the stage win yesterday, but he decided to 'ride conservatively' and blew up anyway. For a guy who just lost the maillot jaune after a questionable tactical maneuver the other day, he didn't sound proportionately disappointed in today's cyclingnews.com interview.
These aren't criticisms, just an observation of his perspective. I'm still a fan and hope he can pull one out of his ass today and in the TT.
