My take on LA and 2005 TDF

Laz Miskowski said:

Lance has been quoted as saying he may not do the TDF next year, time
for new faces, time to try something different, etc.

I think Lance is sending a message to the TDF organizers--"you set up
the tour to take it away from me, and I dominate. Now I send a
message to you--don't try to screw with me or perhaps the most famous
cyclist in the world will skip the main event next year..." I.e. "I
don't need you, maybe you need me more now."

It would be hard to argue that Lance doing the Giro next year and
skipping the TDF wouldn't take some luster away from the latter. Any
thoughts?

a work of genius,I am enthralled.

--

Interesting observation. It would take focus off TDF and transfer it to
any event Armstrong raced. The cycling world will watch for his dominance
or failure.

Ken

"Laz Miskowski" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Lance has been quoted as saying he may not do the TDF next year, time
for new faces, time to try something different, etc.

I think Lance is sending a message to the TDF organizers--"you set up
the tour to take it away from me, and I dominate. Now I send a
message to you--don't try to screw with me or perhaps the most famous
cyclist in the world will skip the main event next year..." I.e. "I
don't need you, maybe you need me more now."

It would be hard to argue that Lance doing the Giro next year and
skipping the TDF wouldn't take some luster away from the latter. Any
thoughts?

IMKen said:

Interesting observation. It would take focus off TDF and transfer it to
any event Armstrong raced. The cycling world will watch for his dominance
or failure.

Citizens of the USA may take an interest but Europe,the bedrock of
cycling,would only have eyes on the Tour.
Armstring is little without the Tour,you decide who has made who and
which needs the other more??

--

quote='the dude'IMKen said:

Interesting observation. It would take focus off TDF and transfer it to
any event Armstrong raced. The cycling world will watch for his dominance
or failure.

Citizens of the USA may take an interest but Europe,the bedrock of
cycling,would only have eyes on the Tour.
Armstring is little without the Tour,you decide who has made who and
which needs the other more??

--[/QUOTE]
Not the Italians, they don't care about it as is, and I would love to see a Cunego- Lance battle. I disagree with the overall assement though. I think Lance plans to race 2 more years and making a return to the tour to win it would be even more impressive, and if he loses then everyone will just say that it was a final goodbye to the great french race.

"Laz Miskowski" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Lance has been quoted as saying he may not do the TDF next year, time
for new faces, time to try something different, etc.

I think Lance is sending a message to the TDF organizers--"you set up
the tour to take it away from me, and I dominate. Now I send a
message to you--don't try to screw with me or perhaps the most famous
cyclist in the world will skip the main event next year..." I.e. "I
don't need you, maybe you need me more now."

"Most famous cyclist?" Harldy. The tour did fine without him - it will do
so when he is gone.

Quoted message said:

It would be hard to argue that Lance doing the Giro next year and
skipping the TDF wouldn't take some luster away from the latter. Any
thoughts?

Why can't he do both? (like a real cyclist)

There is no "luster" to lose - typical ignorant 'mercan - just because an
american is doing well in the sport he thinks it is all about that one dude.
Lance is good but he is not cycling.

Laz Miskowski said:

Lance has been quoted as saying he may not do the TDF next year, time
for new faces, time to try something different, etc.

I think Lance is sending a message to the TDF organizers--"you set up
the tour to take it away from me, and I dominate. Now I send a
message to you--don't try to screw with me or perhaps the most famous
cyclist in the world will skip the main event next year..." I.e. "I
don't need you, maybe you need me more now."

It would be hard to argue that Lance doing the Giro next year and
skipping the TDF wouldn't take some luster away from the latter. Any
thoughts?

I don't think Lance can intimidate the ASO. Seems to me that Lance
waffled after 3rd and 4th victories as well. He's wise to be
non-committal, but don't read anything in to it. If he's up to it,
he'll be back.

Lance has been quoted as saying he may not do the TDF next year.
I think Lance is sending a message to the TDF organizers--"you set up
the tour to take it away from me, and I dominate. Now I send a
message to you--don't try to screw with me or perhaps the most famous
cyclist in the world will skip the main event next year..." I.e. "I
don't need you, maybe you need me more now."
Any thoughts?
In over 100 years the tour has NEVER needed one single rider more than the rider needed the tour. Nor has it needed a Teeam more than the team needed the tour. Get real The tour will continue regardless of what Lance does. Neither Lance or America is the be all and end all of any thing. If Lance was to take a year off, you will see many younger riders come through just like they did when riders from years ago decided to retire.
What I would dearly love to see is Lance taking a year off, permanently. He has proven his point, However I do not see him dumping on any other rider like another American by the name of Le Mond.
Roo
MOO (My Opinion Only)

I see his suggestion of not doing the '05 tour as being due to his desire to spend more time with his family. It takes a huge amount of time and energy to prepare for the tour, especially when he does it as such a perfectionist. He wants to be with his kids and his girlfriend and if he does a half-baked preparation, he'd probably prefer not to do the tour and possibly not win.
Also, there are lots of other races for him to try/win.
I don't really care if he does or does not do the tour but I would like to see him do the Classics and the Giro +/- the Vuelta.

On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 03:41:28 +0100, the dude <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Citizens of the USA may take an interest but Europe,the bedrock of
cycling,would only have eyes on the Tour.

You and Tosi need to talk and get this straightened out.

Curtis L. Russell
Odenton, MD (USA)
Just someone on two wheels...

I think you got it the other way around. The Tour de France is not the only
race that Europeans are interested in. Lance has made the Tour de France
popular in the States.

"the dude" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

IMKen said:

Interesting observation. It would take focus off TDF and transfer it

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

any event Armstrong raced. The cycling world will watch for his

dominance

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

or failure.

Citizens of the USA may take an interest but Europe,the bedrock of
cycling,would only have eyes on the Tour.
Armstring is little without the Tour,you decide who has made who and
which needs the other more??

--

I somewhat agree with the point but I think the way you presented it
wasn't quite right.

The "Tour" doesn't need Lance. It has and will go on in grand style.

The issue is, whoever wins a Tour without Lance will alway have that
hanging over his victory. Winning the Tour with or without Lance is a
monumental achievement, but everyone will wonder how he would have
matched up.

Personally I would love to see Lance to the other rides. I don't
necessarily agree a cyclist needs to do multiple large rides in a year
but I think it would be great to give the Giro a little more of the
spotlight.

[email hidden] (Laz Miskowski) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Lance has been quoted as saying he may not do the TDF next year, time
for new faces, time to try something different, etc.

I think Lance is sending a message to the TDF organizers--"you set up
the tour to take it away from me, and I dominate. Now I send a
message to you--don't try to screw with me or perhaps the most famous
cyclist in the world will skip the main event next year..." I.e. "I
don't need you, maybe you need me more now."

It would be hard to argue that Lance doing the Giro next year and
skipping the TDF wouldn't take some luster away from the latter. Any
thoughts?

lazysegall said:

the dude said:

IMKen said:

Interesting observation. It would take focus off TDF and transfer

it to

Quoted message said:

any event Armstrong raced. The cycling world will watch for his

dominance

Quoted message said:

or failure.

Citizens of the USA may take an interest but Europe,the bedrock of
cycling,would only have eyes on the Tour.
Armstring is little without the Tour,you decide who has made who and
which needs the other more??

--

Not the Italians, they don't care about it as is, and I would love to
see a Cunego- Lance battle.

The Italians follow the tour.
Yes Cunego-Armstrong would be great.

Quoted message said:

I disagree with the overall assement
though. I think Lance plans to race 2 more years and making a return
to the tour to win it would be even more impressive, and if he loses
then everyone will just say that it was a final goodbye to the great
french race.

I find it amazingly arrogant of ther OP to suggest that the Tour needs
Lance,of course 100 years of TDF's prior to LA ever competing managed to
scramble together a decent race.

--

AC said:

I think you got it the other way around. The Tour de France is not the only
race that Europeans are interested in. Lance has made the Tour de France
popular in the States.

What about Lemond,the Tour gained it's first big popularity due to
Lemond,in the U.S,no??
At least,that's what "they" told us,are you trying to suggest that LA is
the sole reason people in the U.S. watch the TDF??
LA ain't the be all and end all as far as the Tour is concerned,one day
he will retire and the chapter will be complete.
--

patch70 said:

I see his suggestion of not doing the '05 tour as being due to his
desire to spend more time with his family. It takes a huge amount of
time and energy to prepare for the tour, especially when he does it as
such a perfectionist. He wants to be with his kids and his girlfriend

Maybe he can take them to see a stage or two of the Tour.

Sorry I stand corrected.

Yes through Lemond the tour gained it's first big popularity in the US. In
fact I got interested in road racing after watching his 1989 Tour.

After Lemond, it declined untill Lance started winning. A lot of people in
the US probably got interested in cycling because of Lance, is what I meant.

I totally agree with you "LA ain't the be all and end all as far as the Tour
is concerned,one day he will retire and the chapter will be complete". I
just hope the television coverage in North America continues.

"the dude" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

AC said:

I think you got it the other way around. The Tour de France is not the

only

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

race that Europeans are interested in. Lance has made the Tour de

France

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

popular in the States.

What about Lemond,the Tour gained it's first big popularity due to
Lemond,in the U.S,no??
At least,that's what "they" told us,are you trying to suggest that LA is
the sole reason people in the U.S. watch the TDF??
LA ain't the be all and end all as far as the Tour is concerned,one day
he will retire and the chapter will be complete.
--

Quoted message said:

I find it amazingly arrogant of ther OP to suggest that the Tour needs
Lance,of course 100 years of TDF's prior to LA ever competing managed to
scramble together a decent race.

I don't want to get into a pissing match with you....what I am
suggesting is that when the BEST cyclist in the world who would be
FAVORED to win the TDF SKIPS it, then yes, there is some effect on the
event, and yes there is an asterisk next to the winner's name.

"Laz Miskowski" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I find it amazingly arrogant of ther OP to suggest that the Tour needs
Lance,of course 100 years of TDF's prior to LA ever competing managed to
scramble together a decent race.

I don't want to get into a pissing match with you....what I am
suggesting is that when the BEST cyclist in the world who would be
FAVORED to win the TDF SKIPS it, then yes, there is some effect on the
event, and yes there is an asterisk next to the winner's name.

One point that bears remembering is that all of the other 5-time winners
tried to win a sixth but failed. In that spirit, LA should keep doing the
TDF until he loses.

In my opinion, doing other races instead of the Tour would harm
Armstrong's reputation even if he were to win them. Why? Because
the whole reason that the Tour is considered the most meaningful
race is that it draws the best cyclists. For the most part, anyone with
a chance to win it shows up. This has been true for a long time (at least
since Merckx' day) and is not true of any other race. LA's reputation
(and the sport as a whole) benefits when everyone who can compete
in it, does compete in it.

[email hidden] (Laz Miskowski) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Lance has been quoted as saying he may not do the TDF next year, time
for new faces, time to try something different, etc.

I think Lance is sending a message to the TDF organizers--"you set up
the tour to take it away from me, and I dominate. Now I send a
message to you--don't try to screw with me or perhaps the most famous
cyclist in the world will skip the main event next year..." I.e. "I
don't need you, maybe you need me more now."

It would be hard to argue that Lance doing the Giro next year and
skipping the TDF wouldn't take some luster away from the latter. Any
thoughts?

What do you think would be the latest he would make a decision?
Late Sept., October?

Kurt