Road Cycling · Public discussion

Lance's 2004 spring season

Heinz Getzler · 2003-09-19T07:19:26+00:00

Well it looks as though Lances spring season will be fairly sparse and that is a sshame for the sport as a whole. (http://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/2003/interviews/?id=lance_armstrong03) "So how will the winning template change? What will you change about your training protocols? How do you see your preparation changing for the 2004 Tour de France? New schedule for 2004? Photo: © C. Henry Click for larger image LA: Well, it will probably be different because of the situation at home. I won't leave in February and stay (in Spain) until the Tour. I'll have to come back and spend more time here in the States so I can see my kids. So I guess a rough draft will sort of be February and March in Europe, do some (training) camps in Europe then and do whatever racing I can, probably then only do Milano-San Remo if I'm going to do a classic. Then I'll come back to Austin for April until the middle of May, so maybe I'll do the Tour of Georgia if that's still around. Then I'll return to Europe in middle of May and do the (Tour de France course) reconnaissance and the final month of June, probably not the Dauphiné unfortunately, but other races like Bicicletta Vasca and maybe (the former) Midi-Libre. Some variety of shorter races, five day races, but not 8 day races. And then the Tour. The kids will come to the finish in Pari"s and stay around until the Olympics, the whole three weeks."

Started by Heinz Getzler · 19 September 2003 · Last activity 30 September 2003 · 28 posts · 1,329 views

← Back to Road Cycling

Thread navigation

Jump through the discussion

Go to the original post, the replies on this page, or the latest preserved contribution.

01 / Original postLance's 2004 spring seasonHeinz Getzler · 19 Sep 2003 02 / This pagePosts 1–20Page 1 of 2 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #28Heinz Getzler · 30 Sep 2003

Thread details

What we know about this thread

Original section: Road Cycling
Published: 19 September 2003
Last activity: 30 September 2003
Original author: Heinz Getzler
Posts: 28
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 1,329
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: Taper and peaking Greg LeMond Lance Armstrong Miguel Indurain

The navigation and discussion metadata provide context. Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Original post
Heinz Getzler
Archived post

19 September 2003, 07:19 UTC #1

Well it looks as though Lances spring season will be fairly sparse and that is a sshame for the
sport as a whole.
(cyclingnews.cominterviews) "So how will the winning
template change? What will you change about your training protocols? How do you see your
preparation changing for the 2004 Tour de France? New schedule for 2004? Photo: © C. Henry Click
for larger image
LA: Well, it will probably be different because of the situation at home. I won't leave in February
and stay (in Spain) until the Tour. I'll have to come back and spend more time here in the
States so I can see my kids. So I guess a rough draft will sort of be February and March in
Europe, do some (training) camps in Europe then and do whatever racing I can, probably then only
do Milano-San Remo if I'm going to do a classic.
Then I'll come back to Austin for April until the middle of May, so maybe I'll do the Tour of
Georgia if that's still around. Then I'll return to Europe in middle of May and do the (Tour de
France course) reconnaissance and the final month of June, probably not the Dauphiné unfortunately,
but other races like Bicicletta Vasca and maybe (the former) Midi-Libre. Some variety of shorter
races, five day races, but not 8 day races. And then the Tour. The kids will come to the finish in
Pari"s and stay around until the Olympics, the whole three weeks."

Report
Hank Sniadoch
Archived post

19 September 2003, 07:20 UTC #2

I assume you are not a fan of Lance's ...... "Heinz Getzler" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Well it looks as though Lances spring season will be fairly sparse and that is a sshame for the
sport as a whole.
(cyclingnews.cominterviews) "So how will the winning
template change? What will you change about your training protocols? How do you see your
preparation changing for the 2004 Tour de France? New schedule for 2004? Photo: © C. Henry Click
for larger image
LA: Well, it will probably be different because of the situation at home. I won't leave in
February and stay (in Spain) until the Tour. I'll have to come back and spend more time here
in the States so I can see my kids. So I guess a rough draft will sort of be February and
March in Europe, do some (training) camps in Europe then and do whatever racing I can,
probably then only do Milano-San Remo if I'm going to do a classic.
Then I'll come back to Austin for April until the middle of May, so maybe I'll do the Tour of
Georgia if that's still around. Then I'll return to Europe in middle of May and do the (Tour de
France course) reconnaissance and the final month of June, probably not the Dauphiné
unfortunately, but other races like Bicicletta Vasca and maybe (the former) Midi-Libre. Some
variety of shorter races, five day races, but not 8 day races. And then the Tour. The kids will
come to the finish in Pari"s and stay around until the Olympics, the whole three weeks."

Report
Sonarrat
Archived post

19 September 2003, 07:20 UTC #3

"Heinz Getzler" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Then I'll return to Europe in middle of May and do the (Tour de France course) reconnaissance
and the final month of June, probably not the Dauphiné unfortunately, but other races like
Bicicletta Vasca
<snip>
This sounds like it will be really important, because it's a chance to gauge his chances against
Beloki, Zubeldia and Mayo among others.
-Sonarrat.

Report
Nick Burns
Archived post

19 September 2003, 07:20 UTC #4

"Hank Sniadoch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I assume you are not a fan of Lance's ......
Why? It sounds like he has the same reasonable expectation that most cycling fans do, he would like
to see the latest 5 time Tour winner to race more.
How does that indicate to you that he is not a "LANCE" fan?

Report
Hank Sniadoch
Archived post

19 September 2003, 07:21 UTC #5

Lance is Lance. He does what he wants. He doesn't want to race more. He wants to win 6. And he is
going to do it "his way". Not "your way". For an athlete who has so excelled at what he does, I find
it remarkable that he has been criticized as much as he has. "Nick Burns"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:

"Hank Sniadoch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I assume you are not a fan of Lance's ......
Why? It sounds like he has the same reasonable expectation that most

cycling
Quoted message said:
fans do, he would like to see the latest 5 time Tour winner to race more.
How does that indicate to you that he is not a "LANCE" fan?

Report
Nick Burns
Archived post

19 September 2003, 07:22 UTC #6

"Hank Sniadoch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Lance is Lance. He does what he wants. He doesn't want to race more. He wants to win 6. And he is
going to do it "his way". Not "your way". For an athlete who has so excelled at what he does, I
find it remarkable that

he
Quoted message said:
has been criticized as much as he has.
OK, TP. That is fine, but pro athletes do it for the sponsors and the fans. That is where their
funding comes from. Fans and sponsors have every right in the world to voice their preferences.

Report
Hank Sniadoch
Archived post

19 September 2003, 07:22 UTC #7

Good point. I agree. But I can't criticize him for winning 5 tours and going for 6. I wish he would
race more, but I guess it's his choice. Give him credit. "Nick Burns" <[email hidden]>
wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:

"Hank Sniadoch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Lance is Lance. He does what he wants. He doesn't want to race more.

He
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
wants to win 6. And he is going to do it "his way". Not "your way".

For
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
an athlete who has so excelled at what he does, I find it remarkable

that
Quoted message said:
he
Quoted message said:
has been criticized as much as he has.
OK, TP. That is fine, but pro athletes do it for the sponsors and the

fans.
Quoted message said:
That is where their funding comes from. Fans and sponsors have every right in the world to voice
their preferences.

Report
Sm
Archived post

19 September 2003, 09:08 UTC #8

Yeah geez who does he think he is... trying to go infront in the history books for most tour wins
AND wanting to make time to see his kids!
"Hank Sniadoch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I assume you are not a fan of Lance's ...... "Heinz Getzler" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Well it looks as though Lances spring season will be fairly sparse and that is a sshame for the
sport as a whole.

(cyclingnews.cominterviews)
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
"So how will the winning template change? What will you change about your training protocols?
How do you see your preparation changing for the 2004 Tour de France? New schedule for 2004?
Photo: © C. Henry Click for larger image
LA: Well, it will probably be different because of the situation at home. I won't leave in
February and stay (in Spain) until the Tour. I'll have to come back and spend more time here
in the States so I can see my kids. So I guess a rough draft will sort of be February and
March in Europe, do some (training) camps in Europe then and do whatever racing I can,
probably then only do Milano-San Remo if I'm going to do a classic.
Then I'll come back to Austin for April until the middle of May, so maybe I'll do the Tour of
Georgia if that's still around. Then I'll return to Europe in middle of May and do the (Tour de
France course) reconnaissance and the final month of June, probably not the Dauphiné
unfortunately, but other races like Bicicletta Vasca and maybe (the former) Midi-Libre. Some
variety of shorter races, five day races, but not 8 day races. And then the Tour. The kids will
come to the finish in Pari"s and stay around until the Olympics, the whole three weeks."

Report
Rope --> Huh?
Archived post

19 September 2003, 15:25 UTC #9

The other thing you may not have considered is him wanting to win gold in the TT / Road Race in
the Olympics.
He probably doesn't want as many high intensity hours pre-tour so that he can peak in the tour and
still have good form for greece.
Rope
"Nick Burns" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:

"Hank Sniadoch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Lance is Lance. He does what he wants. He doesn't want to race more.

He
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
wants to win 6. And he is going to do it "his way". Not "your way".

For
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
an athlete who has so excelled at what he does, I find it remarkable

that
Quoted message said:
he
Quoted message said:
has been criticized as much as he has.
OK, TP. That is fine, but pro athletes do it for the sponsors and the

fans.
Quoted message said:
That is where their funding comes from. Fans and sponsors have every right in the world to voice
their preferences.

Report
Steven
Archived post

19 September 2003, 16:46 UTC #10

[email hidden] (Heinz Getzler) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Well it looks as though Lances spring season will be fairly sparse and that is a sshame for the
sport as a whole.
(cyclingnews.cominterviews) "So how will the winning
template change? What will you change about your training protocols? How do you see your
preparation changing for the 2004 Tour de France? New schedule for 2004? Photo: © C. Henry Click
for larger image
LA: Well, it will probably be different because of the situation at home. I won't leave in
February and stay (in Spain) until the Tour. I'll have to come back and spend more time here
in the States so I can see my kids. So I guess a rough draft will sort of be February and
March in Europe, do some (training) camps in Europe then and do whatever racing I can,
probably then only do Milano-San Remo if I'm going to do a classic.
Then I'll come back to Austin for April until the middle of May, so maybe I'll do the Tour of
Georgia if that's still around. Then I'll return to Europe in middle of May and do the (Tour de
France course) reconnaissance and the final month of June, probably not the Dauphiné
unfortunately, but other races like Bicicletta Vasca and maybe (the former) Midi-Libre. Some
variety of shorter races, five day races, but not 8 day races. And then the Tour. The kids will
come to the finish in Pari"s and stay around until the Olympics, the whole three weeks."
I love this he gets bagged in one thread because he is abandoning his kids for bike racing and then
on this one he gets bagged for abandoning racing for his kids.
Poor guy just can't win.
If my opinion matters, I think he made the right choice. Your kids only grow up once. Dauphiné will
still be there next year. But those little firsts that he might have missed won't.

Report
K. J. Papai
Archived post

19 September 2003, 16:46 UTC #11

[email hidden] (Heinz Getzler) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Well it looks as though Lances spring season will be fairly sparse and that is a shame for the
sport as a whole.
I wish he'd race more too but it's not a "shame" for the sport. What is a shame is people like you
with your own personal expectations of world-class atheletes. but then, you are entitled to your
(informed) opinion. I just disagree on your wording.
You want Lance winning everything then? He would if he wanted to. I'd LOVE to see hime give the Giro
- Tour double a go -- maybe in 2005?
But I wouldn't *expect* him to do it and nor would I think it shameful he doesn't stretch himself
that way. He had serious as [censored] cancer. Let him do whatever he wants. He's easily the best cyclist
in the world and EVERYONE wants to be near him and give him money.
-Ken
Quoted message said:
(cyclingnews.cominterviews) "So how will the winning
template change? What will you change about your training protocols? How do you see your
preparation changing for the 2004 Tour de France? New schedule for 2004? Photo: © C. Henry Click
for larger image
LA: Well, it will probably be different because of the situation at home. I won't leave in
February and stay (in Spain) until the Tour. I'll have to come back and spend more time here
in the States so I can see my kids. So I guess a rough draft will sort of be February and
March in Europe, do some (training) camps in Europe then and do whatever racing I can,
probably then only do Milano-San Remo if I'm going to do a classic.

Report
Kaiser
Archived post

19 September 2003, 17:46 UTC #12

So sorry you'll "have to come back" to see your kids.
And as far as having them hang around til the Olympics: Assuming you even make the olympic
team, you ass.
[email hidden] (Heinz Getzler) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Well it looks as though Lances spring season will be fairly sparse and that is a sshame for the
sport as a whole.
(cyclingnews.cominterviews) "So how will the winning
template change? What will you change about your training protocols? How do you see your
preparation changing for the 2004 Tour de France? New schedule for 2004? Photo: © C. Henry Click
for larger image
LA: Well, it will probably be different because of the situation at home. I won't leave in
February and stay (in Spain) until the Tour. I'll have to come back and spend more time here
in the States so I can see my kids. So I guess a rough draft will sort of be February and
March in Europe, do some (training) camps in Europe then and do whatever racing I can,
probably then only do Milano-San Remo if I'm going to do a classic.
Then I'll come back to Austin for April until the middle of May, so maybe I'll do the Tour of
Georgia if that's still around. Then I'll return to Europe in middle of May and do the (Tour de
France course) reconnaissance and the final month of June, probably not the Dauphiné
unfortunately, but other races like Bicicletta Vasca and maybe (the former) Midi-Libre. Some
variety of shorter races, five day races, but not 8 day races. And then the Tour. The kids will
come to the finish in Pari"s and stay around until the Olympics, the whole three weeks."

Report
Carl Sundquist
Archived post

19 September 2003, 18:25 UTC #13

"K. J. Papai" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
Quoted message said:
and EVERYONE wants to be near him and give him money.
Not Kik.

Report
Heinz Getzler
Archived post

19 September 2003, 21:01 UTC #14

"Hank Sniadoch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
I assume you are not a fan of Lance's ......
Actually I am a fan of Lance it's I just feel that he is not riding up to his potential.
Quoted message said:
"Heinz Getzler" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Well it looks as though Lances spring season will be fairly sparse and that is a sshame for the
sport as a whole.
(cyclingnews.cominterviews) "So how will the
winning template change? What will you change about your training protocols? How do you see your
preparation changing for the 2004 Tour de France? New schedule for 2004? Photo: © C. Henry Click
for larger image
LA: Well, it will probably be different because of the situation at home. I won't leave in
February and stay (in Spain) until the Tour. I'll have to come back and spend more time here
in the States so I can see my kids. So I guess a rough draft will sort of be February and
March in Europe, do some (training) camps in Europe then and do whatever racing I can,
probably then only do Milano-San Remo if I'm going to do a classic.
Then I'll come back to Austin for April until the middle of May, so maybe I'll do the Tour of
Georgia if that's still around. Then I'll return to Europe in middle of May and do the (Tour de
France course) reconnaissance and the final month of June, probably not the Dauphiné
unfortunately, but other races like Bicicletta Vasca and maybe (the former) Midi-Libre. Some
variety of shorter races, five day races, but not 8 day races. And then the Tour. The kids will
come to the finish in Pari"s and stay around until the Olympics, the whole three weeks."

Report
Time Cop
Archived post

20 September 2003, 02:46 UTC #15

Don't forget that US Postal also has a say in the schedule Lance rides and 2004 is the company's final year of sponsoring the team.
There's some "goodwill" in this decision to ride some races in the U.S. — in what will likely be Lance's final year of riding le Tour.

Report
Kyle Legate
Archived post

20 September 2003, 15:25 UTC #16

K. J. Papai said:

You want Lance winning everything then? He would if he wanted to. I'd LOVE to see hime give the
Giro - Tour double a go -- maybe in 2005?

Ahhahahahhahahaha! That's rich. He'd win everything if he wanted to. Where have I heard that before?

Report
Kurgan Gringion
Archived post

20 September 2003, 22:27 UTC #17

"K. J. Papai" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
[email hidden] (Heinz Getzler) wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Well it looks as though Lances spring season will be fairly sparse and that is a shame for the
sport as a whole.
I wish he'd race more too but it's not a "shame" for the sport. What is a shame is people like you
with your own personal expectations of world-class atheletes. but then, you are entitled to your
(informed) opinion. I just disagree on your wording.
You want Lance winning everything then? He would if he wanted to. I'd LOVE to see hime give the
Giro - Tour double a go -- maybe in 2005?
No way.
It took everything he had just to ride and win 1 3 week-er this year.
He'll be one year older next year, and for a Tour rider, another year past 30 means getting more
vulnerable. 3 week Tours aren't Cobbled Classics where experience counts for more than legs.

Report
Heinz Getzler
Archived post

23 September 2003, 01:55 UTC #18

Time Cop <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Don't forget that US Postal also has a say in the schedule Lance rides and 2004 is the company's
final year of sponsoring the team.
There's some "goodwill" in this decision to ride some races in the U.S. ? in what will likely be
Lance's final year of riding le Tour.
I think US Postal would be more than happy to see Lance participate in more races.

Report
Anonymous
Archived post

23 September 2003, 05:07 UTC #19

"Heinz Getzler" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Time Cop <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Don't forget that US Postal also has a say in the schedule Lance rides and 2004 is the company's
final year of sponsoring the team.
There's some "goodwill" in this decision to ride some races in the U.S. ? in what will likely be
Lance's final year of riding le Tour.
I think US Postal would be more than happy to see Lance participate in

more races.
I am sure all of the team sponsors would be thrilled to see more coverage of Lance racing...but not
at the expense of under performing at the TDF. With the exception of race coverage on OLN TV the TDF
is the only bike race that gets major media coverage in the US. The US sponsors get their value
during the three weeks in July that Lance is in the TDF.

Report
Heinz Getzler
Archived post

24 September 2003, 04:59 UTC #20

Quoted message said:
"Heinz Getzler" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Time Cop <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Don't forget that US Postal also has a say in the schedule Lance rides and 2004 is the
company's final year of sponsoring the team.
There's some "goodwill" in this decision to ride some races in the U.S. ? in what will likely
be Lance's final year of riding le Tour.
I think US Postal would be more than happy to see Lance participate in

more races.
I am sure all of the team sponsors would be thrilled to see more coverage of Lance racing...but
not at the expense of under performing at the TDF. With the exception of race coverage on OLN TV
the TDF is the only bike race that gets major media coverage in the US. The US sponsors get their
value during the three weeks in July that Lance is in the TDF.
Well it's hard to see how riding in the fall season could jepoardize Lances tdf chances. On the
otherhand I understand why riders today must pick and choose their races due to the difficulty of
today's races. But I do think that Lance could race a lot more without risking his chances of
winning the tdf. I think the whole notion of peaking is overblown. While it's important to peak for
a race I think riders worry about it to much these days. After all look at all the races Merckx won
during a season.

Report

Active in the last 60 minutes

Active in this thread

0 users · 0 guests ·0 bots ·0 total

No signed-in users are active right now.

No known search crawlers active right now.

Jump through the discussion

What we know about this thread

Continue through CyclingForums

Active in this thread