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IMO, last year Lance was a little unprepared. This year, from everything that I’ve read, he has taken his cycling much more seriously. He’s had a whole year to prepare, and his main competitors are Contador and the Schlecks. I think he’s got Contadors number this year for sure, so I definitely think he will be on the podium at least. Unless he gets injured. I’ll be watching every day either way, followed by a brutal ride.
Although you can never count Lance out for a podium position his role for this year is likely to be that of super-domestique in support of Levi or Kloden (or possibly even Zubeldia) as he passes the torch. Granted, if these guys don’t step up and put themselves in striking distance for a podium position I would not be surprised to see Bruyneel give Lance the green-light to throw down. Regardless, its going to be a fun race watching Lance/Levi fight it out with Contador and the Schleck bros.
Lance’ll be on the podium in Paris. He’s had some challenges this Spring, but he’s on track now and his team looks incredibly strong so good luck to all who are trying to keep him off the podium.
From what I read in a cyling magazine, it sounds like he hired a whole new crew of specialized diet gurus, scientists, blah, blah, blah. If he’s not on the podium, he’ll be close. He has to know time is closing in on him.
The older you get the better your endurance so if he still has the legs for the mountains & the speed for the time trials I’d say there is no doubt that he is making a good run for the podium.
I’m really sick and tired of seeing Lance on TV commercials saying how great he is because we already know that for a fact. I think he should have stayed retired and let the new guys take over the sport. But he has such a big ego that he has to come back again just to show everyone (The French) how great he really is. I think he is being selfish in trying to win another Tour and I think he should just forget about it.
I laugh at those who think Lance is selfish, conceited or has a big ego because he is commercials, ads or whatever he is doing. He won the TdF 7 FREAKING times, people. AFTER beating cancer. If there is an athlete in the world right now who deserves every single bit of egocentric attitude there is, it is Lance.
There is absolutely No reason why he should “step aside” for other cyclists. If they after better than he is, they will prove it on the curses. This line of logic is akin to your supervisor saying”Listen, you aren’t the best producer of widgets anymore. We are going to ask you to step aside so Stan can come in. Sorry about firing you.”
It is attitudes like this where someone feels he has already demonstrated what he is capable of that keep most people mired in mediocrity. Until anyone is unable to perform anymore, it is no one else’s decision whether they can do what it is they do. And believe me, this comes from a person who cannot STAND Brett Favre but he still has every reason to play until teams no longer warrant his ability good enough to do so.
So will he reach the podium? Well, it is just an opinion and i doubt any of us know that much to wager our homes on it but there are fewer surer bet in sports right now than Lance in cycling.
steve is that a serious response? you really think that one of the most accomplished athletes in the world should step aside to let some other people have a chance? i can’t think of a sentiment hat runs more counter to the spirit of competition. how satisfied would you be if you took 1st in a competition just because a perennial champion sat out to “let the new guys take over”? with that attitude i’d be surprised if you’ve ever competed a day in your life.
Yes that is a serious response. He cannot stand the thought of someone besides himself winning a race. I agree he is a great racer and has done a world of good for the cancer community. I have competed before and I do not really care about finishing first even if the champion was there or not. There are other Americans in the race besides Lance and quite a few of them helped him with his Tour victories. Did you see Miguel Indurain, Eddy Mercxx, Bernard Hinault, or Greg Lemond come out of retirement? No because they knew when their time was up.
“He cannot stand the thought of someone besides himself winning a race.” Isn’t that basically the key thing we would want in ANY athlete? Never wanting to lose? We applaud others for such instincts and to you this is deplorable?
Your comments regarding the other great cyclists would hold water, if and only if, Lance hadn’t come back and taken third last year. Wouldn’t say his time is “up” or even close.
Your comments regarding the other great cyclists would hold water, if and only if, Lance hadn’t come back and taken third last year. Wouldn’t say his time is “up” or even close.
So retroactively, we will decide, based on his performance in this race, not on the fact he just took third a year ago, whether he himself should have decided to have raced again on the possibility that even though he took third he couldn’t do it again? Ridiculous. The man still took third last year, NOT as the main guy on his team. If he finishes in the top 10 he still has every right in the world to be out there.
Have you seen the team around him and this year he will be the rider on that team – watch out Contador, Schleck brothers – let the carnival begin – doping allegations, divas, Lance, Frenchy press
It looks like Lance will have to wait again until next year. Maybe he will help Levi out now or is he too selfish for that? I guess we’ll have too wait and see!!
No I would not cheer if a 5 year old were to strike out in a little league baseball game. Lance is a sore loser and that became really obvious this year. He did not help out his teammates but in the past they always helped him. And he would not talk to the press after most of the stages.
IMO, last year Lance was a little unprepared. This year, from everything that I’ve read, he has taken his cycling much more seriously. He’s had a whole year to prepare, and his main competitors are Contador and the Schlecks. I think he’s got Contadors number this year for sure, so I definitely think he will be on the podium at least. Unless he gets injured. I’ll be watching every day either way, followed by a brutal ride.
Although you can never count Lance out for a podium position his role for this year is likely to be that of super-domestique in support of Levi or Kloden (or possibly even Zubeldia) as he passes the torch. Granted, if these guys don’t step up and put themselves in striking distance for a podium position I would not be surprised to see Bruyneel give Lance the green-light to throw down. Regardless, its going to be a fun race watching Lance/Levi fight it out with Contador and the Schleck bros.
Hate to say it but Lance’s best days in regard to Tour de France wins are behind him… age is the great equilizer.
Not a chance, he is being watched too close for him and his homeys to juice up…
Lance’ll be on the podium in Paris. He’s had some challenges this Spring, but he’s on track now and his team looks incredibly strong so good luck to all who are trying to keep him off the podium.
I hope so! Let’s hear it for the geezers!!!!!!!!!!
From what I read in a cyling magazine, it sounds like he hired a whole new crew of specialized diet gurus, scientists, blah, blah, blah. If he’s not on the podium, he’ll be close. He has to know time is closing in on him.
I think Lance knows this may be his last best chance. Experience and his will to compete will get him there. Lance is THE MAN!
It’s my believe that he should leave others to take over, he has already demonstrated what he is capable to.
The older you get the better your endurance so if he still has the legs for the mountains & the speed for the time trials I’d say there is no doubt that he is making a good run for the podium.
I’m really sick and tired of seeing Lance on TV commercials saying how great he is because we already know that for a fact. I think he should have stayed retired and let the new guys take over the sport. But he has such a big ego that he has to come back again just to show everyone (The French) how great he really is. I think he is being selfish in trying to win another Tour and I think he should just forget about it.
I laugh at those who think Lance is selfish, conceited or has a big ego because he is commercials, ads or whatever he is doing. He won the TdF 7 FREAKING times, people. AFTER beating cancer. If there is an athlete in the world right now who deserves every single bit of egocentric attitude there is, it is Lance.
There is absolutely No reason why he should “step aside” for other cyclists. If they after better than he is, they will prove it on the curses. This line of logic is akin to your supervisor saying”Listen, you aren’t the best producer of widgets anymore. We are going to ask you to step aside so Stan can come in. Sorry about firing you.”
It is attitudes like this where someone feels he has already demonstrated what he is capable of that keep most people mired in mediocrity. Until anyone is unable to perform anymore, it is no one else’s decision whether they can do what it is they do. And believe me, this comes from a person who cannot STAND Brett Favre but he still has every reason to play until teams no longer warrant his ability good enough to do so.
So will he reach the podium? Well, it is just an opinion and i doubt any of us know that much to wager our homes on it but there are fewer surer bet in sports right now than Lance in cycling.
steve is that a serious response? you really think that one of the most accomplished athletes in the world should step aside to let some other people have a chance? i can’t think of a sentiment hat runs more counter to the spirit of competition. how satisfied would you be if you took 1st in a competition just because a perennial champion sat out to “let the new guys take over”? with that attitude i’d be surprised if you’ve ever competed a day in your life.
Yes that is a serious response. He cannot stand the thought of someone besides himself winning a race. I agree he is a great racer and has done a world of good for the cancer community. I have competed before and I do not really care about finishing first even if the champion was there or not. There are other Americans in the race besides Lance and quite a few of them helped him with his Tour victories. Did you see Miguel Indurain, Eddy Mercxx, Bernard Hinault, or Greg Lemond come out of retirement? No because they knew when their time was up.
“He cannot stand the thought of someone besides himself winning a race.” Isn’t that basically the key thing we would want in ANY athlete? Never wanting to lose? We applaud others for such instincts and to you this is deplorable?
Your comments regarding the other great cyclists would hold water, if and only if, Lance hadn’t come back and taken third last year. Wouldn’t say his time is “up” or even close.
We will find out at the end of next month.
Your comments regarding the other great cyclists would hold water, if and only if, Lance hadn’t come back and taken third last year. Wouldn’t say his time is “up” or even close.
So retroactively, we will decide, based on his performance in this race, not on the fact he just took third a year ago, whether he himself should have decided to have raced again on the possibility that even though he took third he couldn’t do it again? Ridiculous. The man still took third last year, NOT as the main guy on his team. If he finishes in the top 10 he still has every right in the world to be out there.
Have you seen the team around him and this year he will be the rider on that team – watch out Contador, Schleck brothers – let the carnival begin – doping allegations, divas, Lance, Frenchy press
It looks like Lance will have to wait again until next year. Maybe he will help Levi out now or is he too selfish for that? I guess we’ll have too wait and see!!
Anyone else get the feeling steve cheers gleefully when a 5 year old strikes out in a little league baseball game?
No I would not cheer if a 5 year old were to strike out in a little league baseball game. Lance is a sore loser and that became really obvious this year. He did not help out his teammates but in the past they always helped him. And he would not talk to the press after most of the stages.