http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5539354/
This is the first I've heard Lance actually threatend Simeoni. Any
ideas, beyond the usual nyuk-nyuks, what the threat was? Hard to
imagine the kind of PR damage a scrap during the race could have
raise, something like:
"Expected Six-Time Tour Champ In Dust-Up
Lance Armstrong, who was expected to win the Tour de France for a
record sixth time, chased down Domina Vacanze rider Filippo Simeoni
during the 18th stage of the race. After allegedly complimenting the
italian Simeoni on his excellent work catching up to a break of six
other riders, Armstrong told the riders in the break that if Simeoni
were allowed to stay, he would command his team to chase the break
down. The other riders pleaded with Simeoni to leave them, which he
reluctantly then did, waiting with Armstrong for the peloton, two
minutes behind them. A few moments after the other riders escaped up
the road, according to Simeoni, Armstrong said to his face that he was
several obsene things and cast doubt upon the species of of his mother
before letting loose with a backhand to Simeoni's face. The riders
dismounted their bicycles, as aghast race fans looked on and video
cameras center upon them. Several blows were thrown by each rider
before police on motorcycles caught up and separated the pair.
Jean-Marie LeBlanc was stunned by the fracas and in his own words,
'for the good of the race', ejected both riders from the remainder of
the tour. Johan Bryneel, Postal team director, said 'We're as shocked
as anyone and do not know what led to this, it's certainly not in
Lance's recent character to do such a thing and with him out of the
race we need to change our plans.' Girlfriend of Armstrong, Sheryl
Crow was in tears and offered no comment as she boarded a helicopter
with the ejected race leader."