Go, Lance Go!!! [Archive] - Thoughts Media Forums

mberry

07-19-2003, 03:38 AM

As i sit here and watch the Tour de France... I wonder to myself.... "self?" "How many of my PPC brothers and sisters online even know who Lance Armstong is and what he has gone through?"

How many know he is only 9 days away from "possibly" wining his 5th straight tour (a record held by only one other in its 100 year history).

If your a bicycle racing fan like myself, or just love to support Lance, chime in, and let me know how many of you are out there.

If you are a fan and Lance isnt your favorite to win? who is?

(By the way, T-Mobile (Telekom) sponsors a pro-cycling team, makes the techno-geek and cycling fan in me very happy)

Sunnyone

07-19-2003, 04:47 AM

I'm watching on and off, too. So, no, you're not alone tonight! Keeping hopeful for Lance....it would be amazing to see him do it again!

GadgetDave

07-19-2003, 04:57 AM

It's sad ... but I'm more glued to OLN during these three weeks than maybe to any other TV program anymore ... and here's hoping Lance can do it. The most grueling sporting event there is, bar none.

(Don't read on if you don't want to know about results after the time trial today - stage 12)

But WOW - did Ullrich pull it out today or what? And what about Tyler Hamilton, in 4th with a broken collarbone??? 8O

WyattEarp

07-19-2003, 05:47 AM

It's good to know I'm not the only one who like this sport around here.

07-19-2003, 12:37 PM

I have never been a roady. I used to race moutain bikes, but I can appreciate Lance's acheivements.

The tour has to be the toughest sporting event of all and for someone to dominate like Lance has is fantastic.

In most countries he would be a national hero. While he does get some recognition here, it's nothing like he deserves.

I hope he can hang in there and win again.

Kevin C. Tofel

07-19-2003, 12:54 PM

As i sit here and watch the Tour de France... I wonder to myself.... "self?" "How many of my PPC brothers and sisters online even know who Lance Armstong is and what he has gone through?"

Count me in as one of your brothers......I'm a huge LA and Postie fan. The SOLE reason I have the largest satellite package from my provider is because OLN is in the package. I upgraded 3 summers ago on the first day of Le Tour.

This tour has to be the biggest challenge of Lance's cycling career...I think win or lose, this might be it for him although I'd love to see a victory this year followed by an unprecedented 6th in row next year.

Go Lance Go!!! You are a role model on and off the bike to be proud of! :werenotworthy:

Sparkomatic

07-19-2003, 02:25 PM

Yet another roadie here. It's good to see a few of us cycling fans in here. Yep, my girlfriend hates the month of July. :wink: OLN's coverage is awesome this year (morning, afternoon and evening w/ 3hr. shows each!). Although I really don't like Kristen Gum that much.

My girlfriend watches the Tour with me and roots for the "underdog" which would be Jan this year. You can imagine the gloating she did yesterday!

Go Lance!!! Oh, and don't mess with Texas.

Video11

07-19-2003, 02:42 PM

Slightly off topic, but did you know that the 2003 World Road Championships (http://www.hamilton2003.com/) are being held in North America this year? Right in my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. I know it's not le Tour, but a pretty big cycling event for North America.

mberry

07-19-2003, 03:52 PM

Slightly off topic, but did you know that the 2003 World Road Championships are being held in North America this year? Right in my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. I know it's not le Tour, but a pretty big cycling event for North America.

Yup... I have my tickets and my reservations (to be honest i have had those dates in October in my Outlook calendar since it was announced in 1999)

I am glad to see a few fellow cyclist (or at least fans of LA here)... Glad to know i am not alone in being a PPC geek and a cyclist...

Also.... if anyone is here now (10:51a EST) go here:
http://www.letour.com/2003/us/index.html and click Listen Live to hear the great Phil Ligget announce the stage...

Sven Johannsen

07-19-2003, 05:05 PM

In most countries he would be a national hero. While he does get some recognition here, it's nothing like he deserves.

So sadly true. I'm not a sports fan of any sort, but by golly I know who Lance Armstrong is. Was watching a 'People in the News' segment on him this morning during breakfast. While I knew he had overcome cancer, I don't think I realized how far gone he was. To ride in a Tour would have been remarkable after that. To win it, unbeleavable. Then three more times in succession...absolutely phenomenal.

I'm certainly rooting for his fifth, and however many more he has in him.

Pony99CA

07-20-2003, 02:48 AM

As i sit here and watch the Tour de France... I wonder to myself.... "self?" "How many of my PPC brothers and sisters online even know who Lance Armstong is and what he has gone through?"
Given that the Tour de France seems to get covered in the U.S. on even local sports channels because of Lance, I think you'd have to have your head in a hole to not know who he is.

I wouldn't pay a penny to watch bicycle racing, because I'm not interested in the sport, but I do like seeing an American kick butt. (Nuts, they got rid of the USA smiley!) I even watched the World Cup soccer match where the U.S. played Germany, even though I don't like soccer.

So, go, Lance, go!

Steve

07-20-2003, 03:59 AM

So here we are Saturday night and Lance is leading by 15 seconds which is nothing in this event.

There is some serious climbing in the next few days which he is good at. Hopefully he can pull ahead again.

Roosterman

07-20-2003, 04:12 AM

Lance is still the man to beat. Jan maybe hot, but Lance has come back from bigger things than a couple of bad days in the saddle. He is the most amazing cyclist since the Big Mig won his 5 straight. :D

mberry

07-20-2003, 02:54 PM

Given that the Tour de France seems to get covered in the U.S. on even local sports channels because of Lance, I think you'd have to have your head in a hole to not know who he is.

True enough.... yet its only taken FOUR years of winning the biggest cycling event in the world to get noticed by US news stations, and even then its only so they can talk about his cancer recovery.

I watched the local news station lastnight to see "something" and they didnt even mention his name... all they wanted to talk about was Kobe.
:?

Janak Parekh

07-20-2003, 04:46 PM

True enough.... yet its only taken FOUR years of winning the biggest cycling event in the world to get noticed by US news stations, and even then its only so they can talk about his cancer recovery.
Yeah, most stations here often don't cover the sport for the sport itself, but for the "drama". Don't get me started on Olympic coverage here in the US. :pukeface: While ESPN(2) isn't as bad, I've heard that those living near the Canadian border can get much, much better, more complete coverage of international sports.

--janak

disconnected

07-20-2003, 05:14 PM

I sent many emails to my cable provider begging for OLN, just for the bicycle races. Thank goodness they have it now. (I'm also happy that so far I've been able to get it in the hotels I've been staying in on my vacation).

And I agree about the US channels' awful "drama" coverage. I guess ABC started it with their "Up close and personal" stories, but NBC has taken it to such an extreme of nationalism and soap opera that I can't even stand to watch the Olympics any more; I just tape it and fast forward to the actual event coverage, which is about ten percent of the coverage. Between the fake live/tape delay, the switching back and forth between events as though they were live (as though we won't watch any event that takes more than five minutes), the overabundance of sob stories, and the total emphasis on US athletes, it's embarassing to watch.

I really enjoy OLN's cycling coverage, with its almost total absence of flag-waving. (Can't say much good about the Louis Vuitton sailing races with Bill Patrick however).

Pony99CA

07-21-2003, 07:34 AM

Given that the Tour de France seems to get covered in the U.S. on even local sports channels because of Lance, I think you'd have to have your head in a hole to not know who he is.
True enough.... yet its only taken FOUR years of winning the biggest cycling event in the world to get noticed by US news stations, and even then its only so they can talk about his cancer recovery.
I'm not sure I'd agree with this. I seem to recall seeing coverage about him for all four Tour de France wins -- although they did talk about his cancer recovery, too.

Steve

aroma

07-21-2003, 12:54 PM

I think win or lose, this might be it for him although I'd love to see a victory this year followed by an unprecedented 6th in row next year.

Thing could change, but he's already said he would race next year, and that would probably be it.

I'm a huge fan. I'm glued to Yahoo's live coverage on the web while at work, then I turn on OLN in the evenings. Man, was that one HECK of a fall Beloki took the other day? While I'm praying that Lance can pull of the win, I love seeing the competetion we have this year as opposed to Lance's domination the past few years... I can't belive only 18" separating the top 3. Vino's definately been a suprise this year.

- Aaron

aroma

07-21-2003, 03:10 PM

While we are on the topic, it seams to me that this year Lance seems to be "riding not to lose" instead of "riding to win". Anyone else feel this way?

trachy

07-21-2003, 04:58 PM

My girlfriend watches the Tour with me and roots for the "underdog" which would be Jan this year. You can imagine the gloating she did yesterday!

Two weeks ago I would have agreed with you, but now I'm beginning to think Lance is the underdog to Jan. I've watched Lance each of the previous four years, and never has he had to deal with this scenario so late in the race. I hope he can pull it off (created some distance today, I see), but I was one of the 5% who voted on ESPN that he wouldn't repeat.

trachy

07-21-2003, 05:06 PM

Anyone watch PTI weekdays at 5:30 EDT? I hope Wilbon is back from vacation, because I'm sick of his substitute, Norman Chad, whining about the TDF, "isn't that race over yet?" What an idiot.

aroma

07-21-2003, 05:30 PM

Finally, we see Lance attack today and create some distance... I hope he keeps this up. Mabey this is a sign that he has recovered from his dehydration problems this past weekend.

trachy

07-21-2003, 06:38 PM

Finally, we see Lance attack today and create some distance... I hope he keeps this up. Mabey this is a sign that he has recovered from his dehydration problems this past weekend.

All of the tour columnists seem to think he's over the dehydration thing, and that he's far more focused than in earlier stages. I hope I was wrong to count him out.

07-21-2003, 07:04 PM

It's great that Lance had a better day. Even a crash didn't cause him too much trouble. Let's hope that he is able to maintain it 'till the end.

Pony99CA

07-22-2003, 02:52 AM

It's great that Lance had a better day. Even a crash didn't cause him too much trouble. Let's hope that he is able to maintain it 'till the end.
I saw a bit on CBS News about Lance falling. I couldn't believe he fell down and still won the stage, so I searched :google: news for stories. I liked the one I read in Daily Peloton (http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=4386).

Steve

07-22-2003, 03:20 AM

I agree Steve, that's a great article.

mberry

07-22-2003, 03:24 AM

I saw a bit on CBS News about Lance falling. I couldn't believe he fell down and still won the stage, so I searched Google news for stories. I liked the one I read in Daily Peloton.

If you dont have OLN and want to see Lance's crash... go to http://www.letour.com/2003/us/index.html and click on DAILY CLIPS there you will find his crash, his recovery, and his win...

Also there are some great still photos of the crash on www.velonews.com

I still cant belive he won... that was pure adrenaline

(also, scroll down to stage 9 and watch the horrific crash of Joseba Beloki)

Kati Compton

07-22-2003, 03:57 AM

Wouldn't you hate to be the spectator that caused the crash by flailing that bag around? 8O :oops:

Kevin C. Tofel

07-22-2003, 11:04 AM

Wouldn't you hate to be the spectator that caused the crash by flailing that bag around? 8O :oops:

Ok, so I'm watching some supposed "big" bike race yesterday on my European vacation, and the next thing I know: one of those crazy riders tries to take my souvenier bag! Not only did I lose my trinkets, but everyone starts yelling at me and throwing fruits and vegetables! I had to leave....don't know what the big deal is...it's just a bike race!

:idontthinkso:

KCT

trachy

07-22-2003, 01:43 PM

Brad Adrian

07-22-2003, 01:52 PM

"How many of my PPC brothers and sisters online even know who Lance Armstong is and what he has gone through?"
And the thing that I respect the most about that is that he speaks openly about how his faith has helped him. That's the sign of a true champion.

aroma

07-22-2003, 02:29 PM

I'm really axious for his new book. I really enjoyed reading "It's Not About the Bike". I hope the new one is just as good.

- Aaron

Crystal Eitle

07-22-2003, 02:39 PM

Pat Logsdon

07-22-2003, 04:26 PM

The beauty about Lance's crash was that Jan held up for him. Honor is one aspect of cycling that I wish were present in other sports. The only other sport I can think of where athletes show consideration for each other is golf.
I was listening to NPR this morning and was surprised to hear that Lance did the exact same thing for Jan several years ago. The commentator said it best - it's about being the strongest, not the luckiest.

aroma

07-22-2003, 04:52 PM

I was listening to NPR this morning and was surprised to hear that Lance did the exact same thing for Jan several years ago. The commentator said it best - it's about being the strongest, not the luckiest.

Yes, he did. I think it was in 2001, on a fast decent down one of the mountains, Ulric wasn't able to make a hairpin turn and shot off the side of the road, behind a guard rail and over the hillside. Lance and Ulric had been racing side by side up to this point, so Lance slowed up and waited on Ulric to recover and catch back up to him before he took off again.

mberry

07-25-2003, 11:04 PM

Ok.... What's everyones opinion? Is Lance going to take it in tomorrows time trial? or is Ulrich going to put the hurt on him? or maybe even someone like Tyler did you see that win the other day? Can you believe it? and with a broken collarbone....

Anyway... Lance has yet to LOSE a final time trial... yet he also only had to stay up on his bike the past few years (always had a +/- 5 minute lead by this point)

So chime in with your opionion.

mberry

07-26-2003, 04:03 PM

WOOOHOOO!

5 tours in a row for Lance... what an amazing race... (too bad Ullrich fell, but Lance would have beat him anyway)

bdegroodt

05-29-2004, 08:06 PM

Is it too early to bring this topic back to the front of mind? Anyone else wish June would get out of the way so we can get on with number 6?

mberry

05-30-2004, 06:00 PM

You think there will be a #6?
Lance is going to have to stop singing love ballads with Sheryl Crow and get back to bike racing (and yes i know he won the Tour of Atlanta, but thats nothing compared to racing in Europe).
This year is going to be Lance's hardest yet...
I'd love to say Lance will take #6 but i have my doubts...

(in a similar topic... anybody see the Giro? how amazing a sprinter is Petacchi?)

bdegroodt

05-30-2004, 06:28 PM

I'm optimistic, but realistic. It's never been done. I don't think Sheryl is proving to be as much of a distraction (he just left from training on Alpe d'Huez mostly by himself, and certainly no Sheryl there) as all the sponsor resposibilities are. I know he's probably at that stage in an athlete's career when you know you need to maximize the dollars made, but shooting commercials in May seems distracting.

If last year's race was close, this one should be a real treat. There are a couple of contenders that might stake their claim this year.