Lance Armstrong

[Neil Young]

Yep. He's really got Armstrong's slightly hunched style too. Copied from a photo I suppose.

[Daniel 7]

Mark Webber article on BBC F1 section giving it both barrels to poor old Lance now too.

[RichC]

Someone reminded me of this earlier

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb72h8M5L8U&feature=player_detailpage"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb72h8M5L8U&feature=player_detailpage[/ame]

[Shaggy]

Jeez. ****ing grass. Didn't Indurain stick up for him too?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/lance-armstrong-exclusive-interview

Lance Armstrong exclusive interview

By: Daniel BensonPublished: January 30, 14:33, Updated: January 30, 14:44

Lance Armstrong has spoken for the first time since confessing that he doped to win the Tour de France, answering a series of questions put to him by Cyclingnews.

Armstrong reiterated that he feels a scapegoat for the doping issues that have dogged cycling but has called for WADA to set up a truth and reconciliation programme and states that the UCI should have no part in the process.

In this exclusive Q&A Armstrong tells Cyclingnews' Daniel Benson that “My generation was no different than any other. The 'help' has evolved over the years but the fact remains that our sport is damn hard, the Tour was invented as a 'stunt, and very tough mother f**kers have competed for a century and all looked for advantages.”


Cyclingnews: What was your family's reaction to your confession?

Lance Armstrong: They were well aware of what I was doing and going to say. They loved the interview. I was in Hawaii when it aired but my older kids and Kristin watched both nights live. We spoke immediately after both shows. What was said then I'll keep to myself.

CN: Did you protect Dr. Ferrari during your confession?

Armstrong: I wasn't 'protecting' anyone. I was there to speak about myself, my experiences, and my mistakes. No one else. I know that goes against what we have grown used to in the last few years in cycling but I'm only interested in owning up to my mistakes. I'm a big boy and I'm not in the blame game.

CN: Why do you believe that a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is the best way forward for cycling?

Armstrong: It's not the best way, it's the only way. As much as I'm the eye of the storm this is not about one man, one team, one director. This is about cycling and to be frank it's about ALL endurance sports. Publicly lynching one man and his team will not solve this problem.

CN: When and why did you come to this conclusion?

Armstrong: A long time ago. When I was on speaking terms with ol' Pat McQuaid many, many months ago I said, 'Pat, you better think bold here. A full blown, global, TRC is our sports best solution.' He wanted to hear nothing of it.

CN: If a TRC is to work, who should be called to testify? Every riders from your generation or those from before too? If a TRC looks at the 1990s shouldn't it also look at the years before your first Tour win?

Armstrong: It's not my place to set the parameters but if you're asking, I'd say that if you are alive today and you podiumed in a GT, WC, or Grand Tour then you should be called. Sounds ambitious but the authorities have proven that nothing with regards to cycling is time barred.

CN: Does TRC need to provide a complete amnesty?

Armstrong: Of course otherwise no one will show up. No one.

CN: Truth is easy to explain but what sort of reconciliation would you like personally and for others that help/testify?

Armstrong: Let's be honest, folks in my situation have their own selfish reasons. It's why we are here. Floyd felt singled out so therefore he went public amongst other things. Removing my selfishness, the fact remains that is the best thing for cycling.

CN: Would you hope that your ban was reduced if you testified to WADA?

Armstrong: That's irrelevant. What is relevant is that everyone is treated equally and fairly. We all made the mess, let's all fix the mess, and let's all be punished equally.

CN: Why WADA and not USADA?

Armstrong: No brainer. This is a global sport not an American one. One thing I'd add - the UCI has no place at the table.

CN: What's the alternative to TRC? It looks like the sport is now descending into chaos.

Armstrong: The alternative? Well, first let me say that cycling will never die it will just simmer. Zero growth. Sponsors leaving, races cancelled - this we are seeing. This current state of chaos and petty bull****, tit for tat, etc, will just ensure that cycling goes flat or negative for a decade plus. Which is a real shame for the current crop of young pros the sport has.

CN: What do you say to the theory that Tygart stated: 'That for you, it's about eligibility to compete?'

Armstrong: That was Travis' stunt to make me look self-serving. When I met with him I told him, 'Yes, of course, I'd love to compete again. I'm a competitor.' However the truth is that it was more about equality and fairness. Letting some race the season then giving minor off seasons sanctions versus the death penalty (for similar offences) isn't fair and isn't about 'cleaning up cycling'. It's about getting your man.

CN: It's pretty clear to anyone with a brain that the UCI played the game and knew the score, yet Pat McQuaid said you had no place in cycling. How did that make you feel? What do you think of the UCI?

Armstrong: Pat is just in constant CYA (Cover Your Ass) mode. Pathetic.

CN: How much is the current level of hypocrisy a frustration for you?

Armstrong: Of course it's frustrating but it's cycling so it's not surprising.

CN: Do you feel like you're the fall guy for an entire sport/system?

Armstrong: Actually, yes I do. But I understand why. We all make the beds we sleep in.

CN: When you came into the sport, it probably wasn't to dope, it wasn't to cheat but at what point, specifically, did you realize that was how cycling worked and that the governing body weren't dealing with the situation?

Armstrong: My generation was no different than any other. The 'help' has evolved over the years but the fact remains that our sport is damn hard, the Tour was invented as a 'stunt, and very tough mother f**kers have competed for a century and all looked for advantages. From hopping on trains a 100 years ago to EPO now. No generation was exempt or 'clean'. Not Merckx, not Hinault, not LeMond, not Coppi, not Gimondi, not Indurain, not Anquetil, not Bartali, and not mine.

[Neil Young]

He can't see anything outside himself, it's terrifying.

That's not to say he's totally wrong. Sadly.

[Alex]

I like how he is now trying to crusade for truth and justice. In the process also bringing down the current crop of riders. LANCE IS HERE GUYS, ITS COOL NOW.

[Daniel 7]

Wonder what Bassons makes of that interview and Lance crusading for truth and justice after being on the receiving end of Lance's justice after he spoke out about doping during a tour.

[spud_gun]

In light of the Armstrong grubbiness can any fans of cycling shed any light on how Miguel Indurain and his 5 tour titles are looked upon?

Is it thought that he cheated a la Armstrong or is he considered clean and therefore revered given his achievements?

[Neil Young]

There are two immediate reasons why Armstrong is different and deserves all the crap he gets. First, the scale and depth of the programme he promoted and benefitted from.

And second, the Festina scandal of the '98 Tour created a climate where change was possible. France in particular was affected dramatically by it, there was a real change in culture regarding doping. You only have to look at how many French riders have tested positive since then - it's remarkably few compared to the other powers of European road racing, Italy and Spain. So from '99 to '05 not everyone was doing it.

It's notable that French riders won f*ck all in the period but it's also interesting how well they've done in recent years, including Voeckler's run in yellow in '11, Rolland's young rider jersey in the same Tour, and the stage wins from them both and other French riders in the last few years.

That improvement in results suggests either that French riders are doping again or that it's now easier to win clean because fewer riders are doing it.

Armstrong delayed that process for seven years.

[kev776]

There are two immediate reasons why Armstrong is different and deserves all the crap he gets. First, the scale and depth of the programme he promoted and benefitted from.

And second, the Festina scandal of the '98 Tour created a climate where change was possible. France in particular was affected dramatically by it, there was a real change in culture regarding doping. You only have to look at how many French riders have tested positive since then - it's remarkably few compared to the other powers of European road racing, Italy and Spain. So from '99 to '05 not everyone was doing it.

It's notable that French riders won f*ck all in the period but it's also interesting how well they've done in recent years, including Voeckler's run in yellow in '11, Rolland's young rider jersey in the same Tour, and the stage wins from them both and other French riders in the last few years.

That improvement in results suggests either that French riders are doping again or that it's now easier to win clean because fewer riders are doing it.

Armstrong delayed that process for seven years.

D you include the top British riders in the same nest as the French? clean bloody good athletes or better doped than Lance's era.

[Neil Young]

I find it hard to believe they're doping, I think it's really unlikely.

But I suspect it's a finer line than we tend to think. I don't think for a moment they cheat and then try to hide it like Armstrong and so many others have but I wouldn't be totally surprised if they push up towards the edge of the rules.

Having a track background as a young rider will have shielded many of them from early exposure to road's doping culture. They broke through there so it suggests they're exceptional athletes, it's not like their performances have come out of nowhere. I remember telling someone in marketing they should get their company involved in British road cycling back in 2004. I didn't think it would end up being anywhere near as successful as we've seen but it was obvious even that far back they were going to make an impact at the elite level.

[Daniel 7]

Usain Bolt is well on it.

[Resu]

Wait until it explodes in Spain, Barca and Valencia have been mentioned.

[Neil Young]

Yes but is it going to come out?

[Resu]

I have a feeling that it won`t for a while. Spain is as a country is having a bad time, and if their football stars were branded as cheat it won`t help moral.

BTW Rasmussen just admitted 12 years of doping.