Obviously he was not the only cheat, but the nature of his profile and success meant that he had a lot more to lose and thus his treatment of others is more in the public eye and more damaging for the sport.
Lance Again
- Thread starter Smokin Joe
- Start date
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Obviously he was not the only cheat, but the nature of his profile and success meant that he had a lot more to lose and thus his treatment of others is more in the public eye and more damaging for the sport.
w00hoo_kent
One of the 64K
- Location
- Maidstone or Greenwich
Most of the books I've read that look at that period (and it's hardly exhaustive) tend to suggest that there was a two tier system going on within the peloton and it was pretty much accepted that some people chose to ride clean and they'd just be worse than those that didn't. It also seemed to suggest that the doping culture was pretty rife and some teams were a lot worse than others with their levels of compulsion. I presume part of the silence of the peloton thing was the understanding that you could only keep people quiet if they could still race so completely freezing out clean riders wasn't an option. But that is conjecture.
I agree with others on Lance, the issue for me isn't that he doped, but how he went about it. Whatever he was using as justification for his choices, in my book wasn't valid. I have more time for penitent dopers, although would still prefer everything clean and hope things are going that way.
That's incorrect. If I have a natural haematocrit of 42 and you have one that is 49 and we both dope up to a level of 60, then I'll get more benefit then you.
This is what the UCI never got when they effectively legalised doping saying that those under 50 were okay. A bit like saying you can rob a bank and we won't arrest as long as you take less then £100.
Hacienda71
Mancunian in self imposed exile in leafy Cheshire
- Location
- Wilmslow, Cheshire
The way Armstrong went about trying to ruin Greg Lemond financially was one of the things that I found really offensive. Most dopers would deny what they were doing until found out, not Lance he wanted to ruin people who refused to perpetuate his bullshit. Armstrong was a bully as well as a doper.
blazed
220lb+
That's incorrect. If I have a natural haematocrit of 42 and you have one that is 49 and we both dope up to a level of 60, then I'll get more benefit then you.
This is what the UCI never got when they effectively legalised doping saying that those under 50 were okay. A bit like saying you can rob a bank and we won't arrest as long as you take less then £100.
It will never be a truly level field. Nature itself makes sure of that. If one rider naturally has a larger lung capacity than another he is at an advantage. Many riders are simply born with the tools to succeed.
Armstrong worked his nuts off, he made all other dopers his bitch, and he changed the lives of many, many people through his charity.
He's an incredibly strong guy and that's admirable. Look at Pantani he fell to pieces when he was caught doping, mentally collapsed. The sh*t Armstrong has gone through his entire life and always came out fighting, that is why millions of people admire him.
But not as strong as to oust Weisel, Bruyneel et al when given the chance? I suppose him still upholding the Omerta is something that you deeply admire and respect despite the destructive influence that he had?
John the Monkey
Frivolous Cyclist
- Location
- Crewe
AndyRM
XOXO
- Location
- North Shields
Jesus... That's... Wow...
Anyway, I'll probably see the film. I've read that the cinematography, particularly of the racing, is excellent. That's not really a surprise though with Danny Cohen behind the camera.
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blazed
220lb+
You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. So what if he was an peanut as well, what successful person isn't? If you want to get places you have to tread on a few people.
Funny when you see people slagging off a guy like Armstrong who has achieved so much, has more talent in one of his pubes than this entire forum put together. What have ya'll done that's so impressive?
Hip Priest
Veteran
I've thrown a kettle over a pub.
John the Monkey
Frivolous Cyclist
- Location
- Crewe
I can eat a fruit pastille without chewing it.
Most of the time.
Most of the time.
I caught a raw egg that was thrown over a house (only took 9 attempts).
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
I once ate 3 shredded wheat for breakfast..........................................................I had to go for a lie down after though
