The Armstrong Lie

[User]

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Is there an option of "well balanced" for Armstrong? Or should there be? I reckon he is beyond that option.

I've not see the movie, although I have seen the Pantani one and I reckon it did not do what it could have done in terms of exposing the truth - I have given my view in ProRacing re the Pantani movie after I watched it but that was in the context of comment to those "in the know" as it were, so I find it interesting to see comment form those not posting in that sub-forum and encourage people to come in and comment.

Edit - also good to have discussion here!

 

[Keith Oates]

I admit that I was an Armstrong fan when he was in action years ago but now I don't even want to talk about him let alone see a film about him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[yello]

I feel no need to see this LA film but I might be tempted by the Frears version.

 

[SteCenturion]

[QUOTE 3150831, member: 30090"]Just watched this.

Good film, well made, well balanced and explains the Armstrong saga well imo.

Watching the film about the Pirate tomorrow night.[/QUOTE]
This on DVD/Blu Ray or at the Cinema @User30090 ?

I would like to see it but at home, wouldn't be drawn to go out & watch.

 

[SteCenturion]

I admit that I was an Armstrong fan when he was in action years ago but now I don't even want to talk about him let alone see a film about him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's good to see someone say they were a fan of Armstrong or any other disgraced sportsman for that matter.

Maybe fortunately, during his reign, I was sans cycling, had lost interest & off doing other things.

I returned to watching the Grand Tours maybe two years prior to the Armstrong comeback.

Having come back to cycling & caught up with the lost years I am still surprised how some can defend these cheats.

The Giro is probably the worst event for drug cheat hero worship, with even the commentators refusing to denounce Pantani, a God like figure in many eyes (especially Italian).

Arguably just the same type of cheat as Armstrong, maybe less of a bully.

 

[SteCenturion]

A major difference is that Pantani ended up as much a victim as a cheat.

Yes, a victim of his own volition.

A cheat dead or alive.

 

[AndyRM]

Having seen the Pantani film and read David Millar's book I find it much more difficult than I might have thought to simply condemn them as 'cheats' in such a black-and-white way. I thought both the film and the book showed how insidious were the pressures to conform on relatively young, enthusiastic, and naïve riders, and how step by small step they were drawn into behaving in ways that they might previously have shunned.

I think I ended up with a more compassionate view of their mistakes, and a feeling that many of us have flaws that can be exploited by power, competitiveness, and money. The riders who refused to cheat, and whose careers suffered as a result, are obviously much more admirable, but I don't necessarily despise outright the ones I've learned about who succumbed. I'm not including LA in any of that though.

Good summary. Millar's book is particularly good and has been very well written

There were sections where the feelings of helplessness, regret and resentment were so powerful that I had to stop reading because some dust had got in my eyes.

Hoping to see the Armstrong and Pantani films at some point in the near future. Are both out on DVD?

 

[Crankarm]

This on DVD/Blu Ray or at the Cinema @User30090 ?

I would like to see it but at home, wouldn't be drawn to go out & watch.

In case you were spotted doing so ?

 

[SteCenturion]

In case you were spotted doing so ?

Coz I am Northern & tight as cramp.

 

[SteCenturion]

Good summary. Millar's book is particularly good and has been very well written

There were sections where the feelings of helplessness, regret and resentment were so powerful that I had to stop reading because some dust had got in my eyes.

Hoping to see the Armstrong and Pantani films at some point in the near future. Are both out on DVD?

That good eh ?

I have only just started reading cycling related stuff & have amassed 4 to be going on with.

The Wiggo book is quite child like in it's narrative, but I will finish that this week or next when baby time allows.

May have to invest in the Millar book.

 

[AndyRM]

That good eh ?

I have only just started reading cycling related stuff & have amassed 4 to be going on with.

The Wiggo book is quite child like in it's narrative, but I will finish that this week or next when baby time allows.

May have to invest in the Millar book.

It's a seriously powerful read. PM me your address if you like and I'll post you my copy. Don't really re-read books.

 

[SteCenturion]

[QUOTE 3152104, member: 30090"]DVD, it was released last year. It was originally about his comeback but then it became about the whole doping scandal.

It centres around an interview that Armstrong gave in 2009 about why he wants to come back, an interview post Oprah about how he feels now, and input from David Walsh, his team mates et al.

I thought it was really good.[/QUOTE]
Cheers, will hunt it down.

 

[Andrew_P]

I really would recommended George Hincapies book to give a little perspective on the explosion of EPO, and what is was like being a rider facing the first wave of EPO enhanced riders.

 

[edindave]

I've only watched the big tours for the last 3 years after I got into cycling. I really enjoyed the movie and found it really interesting and revealing, especially the behind the scenes insights like when Contador attacked the Schlecks and Bruyneel was cursing him in the team car.