I was going to stay out of this but I think I must answer for someone who doesn't have a voice on the list. First off Lance is the absolute first person to tell you he was a total jerk before his cancer battle. Tell me how many young professional athletes aren't? Reading further into your post I must tell you a professional athlete's first obligation is to their sponsor and NOT their fans. This is the reality of any occupation, if you forsake your employer for a fan who long do you think you'll keep your job? It sounds like he was even being annoyed by the time he had to give to his sponsors and not just the fans. Since there was no date given this was most likely during a time when Armstrong's star was rising and Fignon's and Bugno's were on the decline. This would explain the more relaxed attitude of the senior riders, who both have blown off fans in the past.
Personally the founding of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the creation of The Ride for the Roses alone make up for any past behaviors. I can think of no other professional rider ex or current that has given so much off the bike outside the realm of cycling, can anyone name one? Lance today is the humanitarian and representative that cycling has needed to be taken seriously by the general public. I don't know Mr. Armstrong personally (though he is a good friend of a friend and I have met him.) nor have I bought his books or bikes, but if there is any cyclist that will be held in renown in 50 years it will be Lance. enjoy, Brandon"monkeyman"Ives SB, CA
PS: Lance was just canonized by some Dutch media company, so it's not just the American press that likes him. Eddy wasn't on the list of 365 folks. Even Merckx countrymen respect Lance.
On Monday, Dec 30, 2002, at 08:01AM, <wspokes@penn.com> wrote:
>Well, I can understand the quick comment below from Greg but I have to say,
>Mario loves the limelight and is quite an open and inviting sports figure when
>in the public eye. He is quite an accomplished rider and his attitude has
>brought him and certain aspects of the sport to new levels.
>
>I have had the oppurtunity to see Lance in person, BEFORE the tour wins and
>the cancer chapter of his life. He was a jerk from my experience. He was
>supposed to sign autographs at Hershey during the Tour Dupont for the
>Children's Miracle Network who had brought along about a dozen kids. Most of
>which were pedes cancer patients.
>
>He was too busy getting presented with sunglasses from some sponsor and was
>upset because he wasn't having time to focus on the stage ahead and therefore
>refused to cross the road to the kids. Very disappointing to witness. On the
>other hand, I witnessed the best in human character when the portrayed Villian
>of cycling, Laurent Fignon crosses over to give them autographs along with
>Gianni Bugno and others from his team.
>
>Lance is an accomplished athlete who has excelled cycling to some popularity
>and pushed hard for great causes and benefits now. I believe he shows a new
>level of maturity but old habits die hard and my memory still doesn't forget
>some things. I guess this is what drives me to look back at some of the riders
>of yesteryear. There were great characters of all types from Ferdi Kubler
>tossing tubulars across field in frustration to those who embraced fans and
>welcomed their company! The new age of the sport seems so commercially driven
>that it has taken away some of the fun.
>
>Walter Skrzypek
>Falls Creek, Pa
>just my 2 cents.
>
>
>> >
>> >
>>
>> I agree. Lance is a mediocre rider at best,
>> doesn't train much at all, and
>> the Tour de France is a pretty insignificant
>> race. If he wins it six times in
>> a row, it will be a non-event, I'm sure, since
>> he's only doing it for his
>> sponsors' benefit!
>>
>> Greg Parker
>> A2 MI USA
>>
>>
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