Bianca Pratorius wrote:
>
> Merckx is similar to the time in which he rode. Yes it is true that
> Armstrong has won more TDF, but at the expense of something very
> important. I feel that Armstrong won by the miracle of corporate
> control. Teamwork seems different now than before. Corporate
> headquarters decides who is going to win, and the engines dutifully
> block from behind while others carry Armstrong up to the front, being
> careful that no team member accumulates as many points as dear Lance.
> Technically Lance Beat Merckx's record, but who would you rather have
> dinner with? Who's picture is on your office wall? Who inspires you?
> The answer for me is Merckx because he won using a different set of
> rules (unwritten). Merckx won so many more races because he in effect
> was working for a living, having to win many different races to piece
> together a winning athletic persona. Lance peaks just once a year, and
> perhaps has done it in a way (modern pharmaceuticals) where he actually
> appears to be older than his mother!!! Lance is an American, but
> instead of pride, I feel shame... Shame for the kind of world that we
> have created. Armstrong is a good representative of that world, but I
> still prefer a time in bicycling history that reaches back to Merckx
> and the way he looked, and the way his bikes looked, and the way I
> looked at him when I was young.
>
> Garth Libre in Miami Fl.
Baloooney!
Chuck Schmidt in South Pasadena CA.
.