Lance Armstrong... greatest doper there was or ever will be

A comparison between Hannibal (242-182BC) / The Romans, and Armstrong /The French.

H. Comes across sea to beat Romans at their own game (land battles). A. Comes across ocean to beat French at their own game (TdF)

H. Lost an eye early in his career through illness but overcomes difficulty. A. Overcomes Cancer.

H. Wins victories by bold crossing of the mountains using cutting edge technology(elephants). A. Usually establishes victories in the mountains. Uses cutting edge technology.

H. Is supported by foreign mercenaries. A. Is supported by team of professional domestiques from all cycling nations.

H. "Odi odioque sum Romanis" A. Doesn't like the french and the french don't like him

H. Defeated at Zama (202BC) aged 40.

H. Dies by his own hand to avoid extradition.(182 BC)

This idea came into my head some time ago. I was reminded of it by the article on Armstrong in last Sunday's 'Observer Sport Monthly'. This started by saying Lance was a devisive character, and then printed opinions from five 'experts', presumably with the intention of giving an appearance of balance.

However, out of the pundits only one, Pierre Ballester (L.A. Confidentiel), was a fully signed up anti - Lance commentator, and his piece looked to me as though it had been thoroughly 'redacted', just like those M.P.'s expenses claims.
Come on Observer, don't be so pathetic. Either report the story properly or forget the whole thing.

The fact is that Lance is known to be quick on the draw with his libel writs and so the anglophone press will never say anything about the dodgy side of the story. In France it's different - the French courts have not supported him.

My depressing conclusion is that to be fully informed on the Armstrong question it is necessary to be able to read French.

He's my mum - blood is thicker than water.

There was an interesting article in the Observer sports months magazine about Armstrong. Anyone else read it?

This one aidan?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jun/28/lance-armstrong-comeback

That's the one.

The number of moderated comments on that article is unbelievable. I wonder how many were removed when Armstrong's lawyers kicked up a fuss?

I read the first few, then it turned into an argument. So I left.

Welcome to the internetz. :-)

There was an interesting article in the Observer sports months magazine about Armstrong. Anyone else read it?

Have another look at my comparison post, I foolishly submitted it before I'd finished it.

I've added to it.

well im a bit mixed. i dont like him as a person, but i dont really think this matters. he raises money for charity which is nice of him.

he had some amazing performances in the TDF, but after the first five victories, didnt he think it might be time to have a go at somthing else. id be much more impressed if he had won some classics and maybe the giro as well. but you cant take away from the amazing climbs he did.

i also find the TDF genrally a bit boring. during the lance era it lost all its excitment in the same manner that schumacher destroyed F1. there was no personality to connect to there, but then again i like the flamboyant showoffs, like macanrowe, cantona, and cippolini. i also respect the hardmen like shaun kelly, but kelly had his own humble persona that was alluring to spectators.

to be top / no.1 in anything ; life, career, cycling you have to have that arrogant bmw / merc drivers attitude to life fuck all of ya's i'm the best

Nah. One of my all time sporting heroes is Henrik Larsson, and his incredible football and modest, generous, intelligent personality were all tied up with each other.

Discuss.

Utfs

c) Armstrong had the protection of the UCI.

dude there's many a lance armstrong thread, go and post your thoughts in them, rather than starting a new thread to rehash the same old arguments/opinions.

This is neither a ride or a race.

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread16526.html
http://www.londonfgss.com/thread691.html

Can this be merged vb?

time to bring back rep, newbies cannot start a thread until they have achieved a minimum level of rep...

Wonderful, more newbie bashing!

Wonderful, more newbie bashing!

normally i don't agree with all the noob-bashing. but for fuck sake. if you're going to start a thread, at least say something in it.

dude there's many a lance armstrong thread, go and post your thoughts in them, rather than starting a new thread to rehash the same old arguments/opinions.

I'd understand the starting of a new thread if the guy wanted to air his opinion but this seems silly because he's not even adding anything to the discussion.

@OP - If you just want to read other people's opinions on the matter UTFS or JFGI.

Bodeieanddoyle are stirring the pot. I see what you're up to.

They were reading todays Newbie Cuddle Love thread just before posting this.

He clearly took drugs of some description - he's as guilty as Michael Jackson. Someone else who was able to buy silence.

What's your evidence for that then?