The date was either 92 or 93. That was the years Bugno was world champ on his downhill decline. Fignon was Fignon and just simply a quiet guy but very nice when I got to take some photos and talk to him. I said my experience was Lance was a jerk to some very sick kids and that thought stuck with ME. I also mentioned that Lance has done wonderful things for causes and benefits since then and has shown maturity since the early days along with his exceptional cycling accomplishments. So I don't view my original post as entirely Lance bashing or negative. I have read his books and his early attitude shines through bright and clear even in his own words! He knows he was a jerk early on. I suppose we should get back to classics.
Walt falls creek, pa
On Mon, 30 Dec 2002 09:27:26 -0800 (PST) Brandon Ives <monkeylad@mac.com>
wrote:
> 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, 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
> >>
> >>
> >> multipart/alternative
> >> text/plain (text body -- kept)
> >> text/html
> >> ---
> >>
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