What's Lances issue with Simeoni?

Julian Radowsky said:

Why did Lance chase Simeoni down today (23 July), Simeoni is 2h 30 behind.
What's the background to Lances aggression?

Simeoni has a legal case pending against Armstrong for Slander. Lance called Simeoni a liar in Lemonde. Simeoni gave testimony in an Italian court that Dr Ferrari (whom lance also consults with) shown him a method to use in order to stop EPO from being detectable.

IMHO Lance would be wise to let things go. He is, I believe, playing with fire and we all know what happens to such people.

tomUK said:

Simeoni has a legal case pending against Armstrong for Slander. Lance called Simeoni a liar in Lemonde. Simeoni gave testimony in an Italian court that Dr Ferrari (whom lance also consults with) shown him a method to use in order to stop EPO from being detectable.

IMHO Lance would be wise to let things go. He is, I believe, playing with fire and we all know what happens to such people.

Thanks, that certainly explains today's performance.

Julian Radowsky said:

Thanks, that certainly explains today's performance.

Here's the link to velonews with at least a good part of the story.
velonews.com6647.0.htmlOpen ↗

Another excerpt from the Live Update:

2:13 p.m. - You may have guessed by now that the Armstrong chase of Simeoni had nothing to do with a GC threat from a man mired in 114th at 2:42:50 off of the lead. Simeoni had earlier testified in the ongoing case against Michele Ferrari, saying that the Italian doctor taught him to use EPO and to cover up its use. Armstrong, a long-time client of Ferrari, called Simeoni a liar and the Italian is now poised to sue the five-time Tour winner. This was purely personal. The message to the men in the break must have been a clear warning that if they leave his arch-enemy up there, they have no hope of making the effort stick.

This is from the wires from July 11, 2004: [indent]Simeoni set to sue Armstrong
(AFP) Italian Filippo Simeoni, who is a key witness in the trial of Italian sports doctor Michele Ferrari, has confirmed his intention to take Lance Armstrong to court for defamation here at the Tour de France.

Simeoni hopes to take the five-time Tour de France winner to court over comments made in Le Monde in July of 2003, when the American called the current Domina Vacanze rider a "liar" in the French newspaper article. The Le Monde article quoted Armstrong as saying that Simeoni had "lied" when he told investigators it was Ferrari who showed him (Simeoni) how to use the banned blood booster EPO (erythropoietin) effectively.

[/indent]

Wow! I am going to really follow up this case. If what Simeoni says holds true, then this could mean real trouble for LA. :eek:

tomUK said:

Simeoni has a legal case pending against Armstrong for Slander. Lance called Simeoni a liar in Lemonde. Simeoni gave testimony in an Italian court that Dr Ferrari (whom lance also consults with) shown him a method to use in order to stop EPO from being detectable.

IMHO Lance would be wise to let things go. He is, I believe, playing with fire and we all know what happens to such people.

mareblu said:

Wow! I am going to really follow up this case. If what Simeoni says holds true, then this could mean real trouble for LA. :eek:

The issue I have with Lance is that why would he care what this guy Simeone says if he is in fact illegal substance free? He never mentioned Armstrong's name is his confession to his use of EPO. It is quite obvious that Lance wants everyone to think he is free and clear of any of those substances, but in reality, by saying that he is a liar, he is actually implicating himself.
I still admire LA and all he has done, but it is clear to me that he, as well as 100% of the rest of the peloton have to use these substances in order to stay with the blistering pace of the Tour. How can any person go on a breakaway for hours at a time riding at near time trial speeds without a little "boost"? And how can you come back the next day as if nothing had happened? And how can you finish a tour riding at this pace for 20 days just by getting the energy from the three chef cooked meals?
I remember how a taxi driver in Colombia who was an ex-cycling pro told me that Luis "Lucho" Herrera, winner on Alp de Huez in '84, took pills, 100% pure caffeine, in order to go up those mountains they way he did. It was impossible otherwise after hours of effort in the saddle.
His ex-wife also questioned him about what EPO was and he explained to her what it was and that "everybody uses EPO".

Hello Budfox, I don't know about that!

Have we proven those allegations yet?
I don't think we have.................

.....and about the incredible endurance these cyclists have, well I would call it the best training 🙂

Still love you LANCE!!!!!!!!!

mareblu 😄

budfox said:

The issue I have with Lance is that why would he care what this guy Simeone says if he is in fact illegal substance free? He never mentioned Armstrong's name is his confession to his use of EPO. It is quite obvious that Lance wants everyone to think he is free and clear of any of those substances, but in reality, by saying that he is a liar, he is actually implicating himself.
I still admire LA and all he has done, but it is clear to me that he, as well as 100% of the rest of the peloton have to use these substances in order to stay with the blistering pace of the Tour. How can any person go on a breakaway for hours at a time riding at near time trial speeds without a little "boost"? And how can you come back the next day as if nothing had happened? And how can you finish a tour riding at this pace for 20 days just by getting the energy from the three chef cooked meals?
I remember how a taxi driver in Colombia who was an ex-cycling pro told me that Luis "Lucho" Herrera, winner on Alp de Huez in '84, took pills, 100% pure caffeine, in order to go up those mountains they way he did. It was impossible otherwise after hours of effort in the saddle.
His ex-wife also questioned him about what EPO was and he explained to her what it was and that "everybody uses EPO".

mareblu said:

Hello Budfox, I don't know about that!

Have we proven those allegations yet?
I don't think we have.................

.....and about the incredible endurance these cyclists have, well I would call it the best training 🙂

Still love you LANCE!!!!!!!!!

mareblu 😄

Mareblu,
Don't get me wrong. I admire LA and really love all he has done. I am rooting for him always until he retires. I even support his cause, sporting the yellow band, but all these allegations have put serious doubts in my mind as to whether LA has achieved all that he has, without the aid of EPO or the likes. In my last quote, I was merely stating my opinion.

budfox said:

The issue I have with Lance is that why would he care what this guy Simeone says if he is in fact illegal substance free? He never mentioned Armstrong's name is his confession to his use of EPO. It is quite obvious that Lance wants everyone to think he is free and clear of any of those substances, but in reality, by saying that he is a liar, he is actually implicating himself.
I still admire LA and all he has done, but it is clear to me that he, as well as 100% of the rest of the peloton have to use these substances in order to stay with the blistering pace of the Tour. How can any person go on a breakaway for hours at a time riding at near time trial speeds without a little "boost"? And how can you come back the next day as if nothing had happened? And how can you finish a tour riding at this pace for 20 days just by getting the energy from the three chef cooked meals?
I remember how a taxi driver in Colombia who was an ex-cycling pro told me that Luis "Lucho" Herrera, winner on Alp de Huez in '84, took pills, 100% pure caffeine, in order to go up those mountains they way he did. It was impossible otherwise after hours of effort in the saddle.
His ex-wife also questioned him about what EPO was and he explained to her what it was and that "everybody uses EPO".

Waa Waa Waa! Need a pasifier. It is not about the bully beating up on the l'il homely kid. Relate it to somebody calling your Mom a [censored]. You just can't let it go without justice being served. If you can't serve justice you at least think about it.

OK, who hasn't raced against someone you just totally hate, regardless of why you hate them? I have, hell, I did today, and there was NO WAY he was going up the road without me chasing him! No better feeling (other than winning) than stopping someone you hate from doing what they want, and getting under their skin in the process. Yeah I know, I'm a pr#ck! But I bet I'm not even close to being alone!

So all that came out of todays actions by LA IMHO is that wow, he isn't the machine we think he is, he's human and posseses the emotion 'hate'! Good on him!

100% said:

OK, who hasn't raced against someone you just totally hate, regardless of why you hate them? I have, hell, I did today, and there was NO WAY he was going up the road without me chasing him! No better feeling (other than winning) than stopping someone you hate from doing what they want, and getting under their skin in the process. Yeah I know, I'm a pr#ck! But I bet I'm not even close to being alone!

So all that came out of todays actions by LA IMHO is that wow, he isn't the machine we think he is, he's human and posseses the emotion 'hate'! Good on him!

I am totally confused. Could someone explain to me what happened???? I watched and did not see anything that looked like a confrontation??? Maybe I went to the restroom or something??? I'm going to have to watch it again? All I saw that was a bit odd to me was LA chatting with people....first some race official and then Jan Urich........he looked like he was out on a bike stroll....not in a bike race???? I'M SO CONFUSED.....

tinajoy said:

I am totally confused. Could someone explain to me what happened???? I watched and did not see anything that looked like a confrontation??? Maybe I went to the restroom or something??? I'm going to have to watch it again? All I saw that was a bit odd to me was LA chatting with people....first some race official and then Jan Urich........he looked like he was out on a bike stroll....not in a bike race???? I'M SO CONFUSED.....

Awww, poor dear... :p

You've already heard the background involving Michele Ferrari and all the allegations against him. Yesterday, during the early(ish) parts of the stage there was a group of six riders ahead of the peloton. Simeoni tried to bridge up to them, but due to personal issues (as already discussed) Lance didn't want him to get away. Lance jumped on to Simeonis wheel (not literally, he was drafting) and Simeoni towed him all the way to the break.

Lance then did everything in his power to hold up the break, so much so that the rest of the escapees (who realised what was happening) asked Simeoni to drop back to the peloton, which he did.

It was all very immature and childish in my opinion. If I was Simeoni I'd have given Lance a smack 😄 .

budfox said:

Mareblu,
Don't get me wrong. I admire LA and really love all he has done. I am rooting for him always until he retires. I even support his cause, sporting the yellow band, but all these allegations have put serious doubts in my mind as to whether LA has achieved all that he has, without the aid of EPO or the likes. In my last quote, I was merely stating my opinion.

Actions always have consequences, and Simeoni is really stupid if he thinks that he can implicate drug/EPO use among his peers and then expect to be treated like every other rider in the race. I'm glad Lance put him in his place. Would have been great if Lance got off the bike after the stage and demanded a blood test on himself, just to prove he is clean. Kind of rubbing Simeoni's face in the dirt.

I know Lance has been tested at least once during the tour, and I am sure if there was even the slightest chance that something was in his blood that shouldn't be, the world would know by now.

Simeoni is a baby, and is frustrated that he cannot compete with the best in the sport. If he doesn't like the way that he is being treated, then let him do something about it, or go home.

Julian Radowsky said:

Why did Lance chase Simeoni down today (23 July), Simeoni is 2h 30 behind.
What's the background to Lances aggression?

Eurosport each day carry an insight program concerning the previous day
proceedings.
(Eurosport are also doing a full access program to Phonak and Quick Step
where they gain behind the scenes access to both teams, riders, managers, wives, doctors)

This mornings program covered this issue with Armstrong and Simeoni.

Armstrong "yes this story with Simeoni is ridiculous. When Simeoni went in to
the break I marked him. No one in the peloton repsects him for the allegations
he made about the peloton"

(my words - no Lance - he made the comments about you.
sounds like Armstrongs attack on Bassons a few years ago)

Simeoni "Armstrong called me a liar and I am now suing him. His influence in this peloton is terrible. I am not going to be called a liar.
He came up to me today and some of the other riders in the breakaway pleaded with me to go back in to the bunch.
When I got back to the bunch, I got some stick from Guerini, Nardello and others.
The truth will out - with Divine intervention"

Nardello, standing beside Simeoni, "I wasn't having a go at him about his
dispute with Armstrong. I was having a go at him because Armstrong broke away and we are all tired and we didn't want to have to chase Armstrong today - I wasn't having a go at him about his dispute about drugs"

(my words - Nardello claiming he's tired is hypocrisy - he's done [censored] all
in this tour).

limerickman said:

Eurosport each day carry an insight program concerning the previous day
proceedings.
(Eurosport are also doing a full access program to Phonak and Quick Step
where they gain behind the scenes access to both teams, riders, managers, wives, doctors)

This mornings program covered this issue with Armstrong and Simeoni.

Armstrong "yes this story with Simeoni is ridiculous. When Simeoni went in to
the break I marked him. No one in the peloton repsects him for the allegations
he made about the peloton"

(my words - no Lance - he made the comments about you.
sounds like Armstrongs attack on Bassons a few years ago)

Simeoni "Armstrong called me a liar and I am now suing him. His influence in this peloton is terrible. I am not going to be called a liar.
He came up to me today and some of the other riders in the breakaway pleaded with me to go back in to the bunch.
When I got back to the bunch, I got some stick from Guerini, Nardello and others.
The truth will out - with Divine intervention"

Nardello, standing beside Simeoni, "I wasn't having a go at him about his
dispute with Armstrong. I was having a go at him because Armstrong broke away and we are all tired and we didn't want to have to chase Armstrong today - I wasn't having a go at him about his dispute about drugs"

(my words - Nardello claiming he's tired is hypocrisy - he's done [censored] all
in this tour).

Thanks for the explanation... Columbia.

Lance road so beautifully today. HE JUST DOESN'T NEED TO GET INVOLVED WITH THAT KIND OF STUFF

limerickman said:

Eurosport each day carry an insight program concerning the previous day
proceedings.
(Eurosport are also doing a full access program to Phonak and Quick Step
where they gain behind the scenes access to both teams, riders, managers, wives, doctors)

This mornings program covered this issue with Armstrong and Simeoni.

Armstrong "yes this story with Simeoni is ridiculous. When Simeoni went in to
the break I marked him. No one in the peloton repsects him for the allegations
he made about the peloton"

(my words - no Lance - he made the comments about you.
sounds like Armstrongs attack on Bassons a few years ago)

Simeoni "Armstrong called me a liar and I am now suing him. His influence in this peloton is terrible. I am not going to be called a liar.
He came up to me today and some of the other riders in the breakaway pleaded with me to go back in to the bunch.
When I got back to the bunch, I got some stick from Guerini, Nardello and others.
The truth will out - with Divine intervention"

Nardello, standing beside Simeoni, "I wasn't having a go at him about his
dispute with Armstrong. I was having a go at him because Armstrong broke away and we are all tired and we didn't want to have to chase Armstrong today - I wasn't having a go at him about his dispute about drugs"

(my words - Nardello claiming he's tired is hypocrisy - he's done [censored] all
in this tour).

and does anybody respect armstrong when he sent mails to the UCI and le tour about riders he said they were doped? some spaniards included as mayo and beloki.
simeoni said the truth, and truths offend, thats why armstrong is so mad at simeoni, or at cristophe bassons some years ago (99 i think), and at lemond and.....

silverbullet84 said:

Actions always have consequences, and Simeoni is really stupid if he thinks that he can implicate drug/EPO use among his peers and then expect to be treated like every other rider in the race. I'm glad Lance put him in his place. Would have been great if Lance got off the bike after the stage and demanded a blood test on himself, just to prove he is clean. Kind of rubbing Simeoni's face in the dirt.

I know Lance has been tested at least once during the tour, and I am sure if there was even the slightest chance that something was in his blood that shouldn't be, the world would know by now.

Simeoni is a baby, and is frustrated that he cannot compete with the best in the sport. If he doesn't like the way that he is being treated, then let him do something about it, or go home.

You should maybe catch up on cycling classic. Look for nice stories about Gewiss-Balan team and tehir doktor Ferrari. Yes the same doktor as LA. Maybe look for hematocrit levels of Gewiss team thats an eye opener.

Miguel_garcia83 said:

and does anybody respect armstrong when he sent mails to the UCI and le tour about riders he said they were doped? some spaniards included as mayo and beloki.
simeoni said the truth, and truths offend, thats why armstrong is so mad at simeoni, or at cristophe bassons some years ago (99 i think), and at lemond and.....

I have no clue as to why Simeoni would lie but by the same token, I'm not sure why he wouldn't. The point is, I don't know what's true and you don't know what's true. By stating that "Simeoni said the truth", you're appointing yourself as prosecutor, judge and jury but without having the evidence or facts at your disposal. Perhaps it's best to let those with all the evidence weigh it and make a determination rather than letting your emotion adjust reality to suit.

Beastt said:

I have no clue as to why Simeoni would lie but by the same token, I'm not sure why he wouldn't. The point is, I don't know what's true and you don't know what's true. By stating that "Simeoni said the truth", you're appointing yourself as prosecutor, judge and jury but without having the evidence or facts at your disposal. Perhaps it's best to let those with all the evidence weigh it and make a determination rather than letting your emotion adjust reality to suit.

Agreed, Beastt. We can all have our opinions but none of us know the truth. We get what we're fed from the press and we all know that if it's in black and white, it still ain't always true. I'd love to think LA is clean but I have no idea. I don't know if Simeoni is lying or not. I'll just be a fan of I like to see ride and leave it at that. I've got more important things to take up my time... like riding.

budfox said:

The issue I have with Lance is that why would he care what this guy Simeone says if he is in fact illegal substance free? He never mentioned Armstrong's name is his confession to his use of EPO. It is quite obvious that Lance wants everyone to think he is free and clear of any of those substances, but in reality, by saying that he is a liar, he is actually implicating himself.
I still admire LA and all he has done, but it is clear to me that he, as well as 100% of the rest of the peloton have to use these substances in order to stay with the blistering pace of the Tour. How can any person go on a breakaway for hours at a time riding at near time trial speeds without a little "boost"? And how can you come back the next day as if nothing had happened? And how can you finish a tour riding at this pace for 20 days just by getting the energy from the three chef cooked meals?
I remember how a taxi driver in Colombia who was an ex-cycling pro told me that Luis "Lucho" Herrera, winner on Alp de Huez in '84, took pills, 100% pure caffeine, in order to go up those mountains they way he did. It was impossible otherwise after hours of effort in the saddle.
His ex-wife also questioned him about what EPO was and he explained to her what it was and that "everybody uses EPO".

Budfox, I only registered so that I could reply. Are you as stupid as the media suppose we all are ? The guy survived Cancer for #(*^# sake. Wake up to yourself. The guy trains exclusively for, (and wins) the TDF. If you trained 8 hours a day you may get up to this standard too WITHOUT drugs. Were you aware that LA's VO max is off the scale ? That his RHB is somewhere around the 20 mark - one beat every 3 sec. The guy is a freak.
And if you think he is arrogant - he ALWAYS thanks his team after a stage win. And if you think that he is no good for other races - he won both the flat and climb time trial in 04. He won the mountain stages. In the past 2 years especially, he has demonstrated that when he wants to go, he goes. No disrespect, but you need to be sure of your facts before you fly mate !!!