Reasons you dislike Armstrong?

thebluetrain said:

Is it simply because he is American?
Is it because an American is dominating the TdF?
What has Armstrong done to deserve being spit on, booed, and heckled as he climbs mountains?

he doesn't deserve that, of course. some people think he cheats and he's a bully.

in 20 years he'll be viewed like the other dominant riders of the past by most of us.

those riders controlled the peleton and went for the throat and are now celebrated for it. and considering that it's impossible to prove innocence he'll always be hated by those who think (or just want to believe) that he hasn't earned his wins.

and my personal opinion, being an american only hurts his case with many.

This is no different to what the great Eddy Merckx got during his career. He would IMO have made it 6 if he didn't get punched in the stomach.

thebluetrain said:

Is it simply because he is American?
Is it because an American is dominating the TdF?
What has Armstrong done to deserve being spit on, booed, and heckled as he climbs mountains?

who doesn't like Armstrong? do you mean the 2 idiots (out of half million) that spat on him on the TT. the French respected your great Greg Lemon, so if any of us do not like Armstrong it is probably because of his character not because he is a Yank. I think even many Yanks do not like Armstrong becuase of his character.

paris_boy said:

who doesn't like Armstrong? do you mean the 2 idiots (out of half million) that spat on him on the TT. the French respected your great Greg Lemon, so if any of us do not like Armstrong it is probably because of his character not because he is a Yank. I think even many Yanks do not like Armstrong becuase of his character.

What do you mean character?

Is it because how he rides or he never gave any rider a gift stage win like he tried to give Floyd Landis?

paris_boy said:

who doesn't like Armstrong? do you mean the 2 idiots (out of half million) that spat on him on the TT. the French respected your great Greg Lemon, so if any of us do not like Armstrong it is probably because of his character not because he is a Yank. I think even many Yanks do not like Armstrong becuase of his character.

I've noticed this in several posts of yours, Paris--are you trying to make some sort of joke about Greg LemonD, or were you honestly unaware how he spelled his name?

Craig Walsh said:

What do you mean character?

Is it because how he rides or he never gave any rider a gift stage win like he tried to give Floyd Landis?

my point is that if a fan here does not like Armstrong, it is because of the fan's opinion of Armstrong's character not because he is a Yank

mojomarc said:

I've noticed this in several posts of yours, Paris--are you trying to make some sort of joke about Greg LemonD, or were you honestly unaware how he spelled his name?

the French do not pronounce LeMond like you Yanks, instead more like English pronunciation of the fruit, so I write it like that for a joke. most people do not notice the misspelling.

I can't really say that I like him or that I dislike him....
As a fellow American I'm proud of his wins and I supported him during the Tour!

American's Rock!!!

He definately was the best rider in the Tour!

tinajoy said:

I can't really say that I like him or that I dislike him....
As a fellow American I'm proud of his wins and I supported him during the Tour!

American's Rock!!!

He definately was the best rider in the Tour!

american´s rock???? well argentinan riders are not very good not brazilians few colombians maybe, i dont understand that statement

ohhh you are referring america as you country, thats cool, it is said that patriotism is the virtue of ignorants, is this true?

paris_boy said:

the French do not pronounce LeMond like you Yanks, instead more like English pronunciation of the fruit, so I write it like that for a joke. most people do not notice the misspelling.

OK--as long as I know it's a joke, I won't give you a hard time about the spelling. Instead, I'll give you a hard time about how unfunny it is 😄

Miguel_garcia83 said:

american´s rock???? well argentinan riders are not very good not brazilians few colombians maybe, i dont understand that statement

ohhh you are referring america as you country, thats cool, it is said that patriotism is the virtue of ignorants, is this true?

Are you calling me ignorant because I'm proud to be an American?

paris_boy said:

the French do not pronounce LeMond like you Yanks, instead more like English pronunciation of the fruit, so I write it like that for a joke. most people do not notice the misspelling.

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I personally prefer Paris' spelling...more fitting, esp. considering how Greg has been badmouthing Lance. 😄

What is funny is that Greg Lemond bought a full page advertisement in Bicycling Magazines Special Lance Armstrong Edition dedicated to Armstrongs career. He badmouths him in the press but uses Armstrongs career to sell Lemond Racing Cycles.

HellonWheels said:

>>>>

I personally prefer Paris' spelling...more fitting, esp. considering how Greg has been badmouthing Lance. 😄

thebluetrain said:

Is it simply because he is American?
Is it because an American is dominating the TdF?
What has Armstrong done to deserve being spit on, booed, and heckled as he climbs mountains?

I don't think he's disliked over here. In fact he's quite popular with most of the cycling amateurs I know. The USpostal jerseys are selling very well (along with Quickstep-Davitamon ofcourse). And because of Johan Bruyneel some like to think this is a Belgian success too 😄

But yes, some are getting tired of him winning all the time after 6 years. Most of the booing and heckling came from drunk Germans who were camping (and drinking) beside the road for days. They wanted their Jan win (and Klodi). Robbie Mcewen was also insulted by Germans (because of beating Zabel).

Anyways, yes I think if he's disliked by a certain fraction of the European public, his nationality does play a role to a certain extent(no denying that). But I think the most important role is...jealousy (I know, I'm a Ullrich fan since '96 🙄 )

Jupiler said:

But yes, some are getting tired of him winning all the time after 6 years.

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I read an article today where LA said he is going to go for a 7th TdF. I'm a Lance fan but even I thought, "Enough, let somebody else have a shot at it!" 😄 Kind of reminds me of junior high school spelling bees, when I always took first place. Finally, Lee (a fellow student) said to the teacher before one spelling bee, "Look, save us all a lot of time and just give her the prize."

tinajoy said:

Are you calling me ignorant because I'm proud to be an American?

No, he's saying you're ignorant of the fact that there are other countries in America besides the United States of America. America=continents.

gunnar_roadie said:

No, he's saying you're ignorant of the fact that there are other countries in America besides the United States of America. America=continents.

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I always point this out, that Canadians are Americans too, as are the ppl in South America. Unfortunately too many US citizens often think of themselves as being the "Americans" which automatically excludes all the other Americans!

gunnar_roadie said:

No, he's saying you're ignorant of the fact that there are other countries in America besides the United States of America. America=continents.

enough already with the hairsplitting. The guy is not ignorant. When people say they hate Americans who do you think they are refering to? Anyways, Lance is cool, but most people know he was an ass when he was younger (precancer). He even kind of eludes to this at times. I like Lance, I find it interesting how fans and other past greats react towards him.

kbs23 said:

enough already with the hairsplitting. The guy is not ignorant. When people say they hate Americans who do you think they are refering to? Anyways, Lance is cool, but most people know he was an ass when he was younger (precancer). He even kind of eludes to this at times. I like Lance, I find it interesting how fans and other past greats react towards him.

I'm not splitting hairs, I'm pointing out the semantics of the label American. I think failing to acknowledge the other countries of America is ignorant and self-centered, kind of like thinking the Sun revolves around the Earth.