In a message dated 9/9/02 5:43:17 PM Pacific Daylight Time, monkeylad@mac.com writes:
<< So you're saying The Badger wasn't someone you'd want on your team?
OK, I'll take him. >>
The tour in which the two of them, Hinault and Lemond, raced each other as
competitors instead of team mates was one of the best tours in history. We
all know that Greg sacrificed his own chances to win a tour so that Bernard
could win his 5th. Even though Bernard said "Greg sacrificed for me, I will
sacrifice for him next year", Bernard was faced with having the opportunity
to be the first man to win 6. Unfortunately he had to go for it. I understand
why he had to do it, but his 5th was a gift at someone else's expense. If I
was good enough, would I want Bernard on my team? It depends. He's certainly
a good rider, ok, a great rider. Is he reliable as a team mate? Not if his
personal gain exceeds that of the team. I have to say, I was disappointed in
Bernard, particularly as he lost his bid for 6. Had he won, fair and square,
there still would have been the issue of #5 being a gift he didn't earn. He
would have had to win a 7th, fair and square, to redeem himself in my eyes.
He didn't. As great a champion as he is, he is a little tarnished in my eyes.
I still admire him with some reservation. Then again, "they" didn't ask me
what I thought. It's just my opinion.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA