Legend at risk
Schmidthouse
Posts: 134
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/ ... 63,00.html
Val Migliaccio
January 16, 2009 12:00am
TEAM Columbia manager Allan Peiper says the legend of Lance Armstrong will grow only if he can display his extraordinary talent on his return.
That legendary style shone through yesterday when the 37-year-old Texan proved he was the fittest in team Astana, leaving his teammates behind on the gruelling Old Willunga Hill climb south of Adelaide during training.
"Lance can do wonderful things for cancer awareness, but at the same time there was a myth around Lance Armstrong when he won the Tour de France seven times," Peiper said.
"I think it's pretty amazing that he even wants to risk that myth factor."
Peiper likened Armstrong's return after 3 1/2 years' retirement to that of Michael Jordan, who rejoined the NBA two years after retiring in 1993.
"As you saw with Michael Jordan, if the myth comes back and doesn't step up -- a little bit of the myth is broken," Peiper said.
Jordan's vulnerability was exposed when he failed to lead the Chicago Bulls back to the championship on his return in 1995.
Peiper said Columbia's Adam Hansen had noted that Armstrong had everything to lose in his comeback.
"I think that's right," Peiper said.
Armstrong's presence had created a massive groundswell for the Tour Down Under.
"I don't think I've seen this much (interest) since the Tour de France or the Tour of Italy and Spain and the other classics," Peiper said. "There's been so much hype.
"I'm sitting in the car listening to the radio -- it's Lance Armstrong. Reading the newspaper, it's Lance Armstrong on TV . . . he's everywhere.
"Even when I got off the plane in Adelaide there was a life-size poster of him."
But Peiper said Columbia was expected to excel in the Tour, which starts on Tuesday.
"This year it's going to be a little bit different at Stirling (Stage 2)," he said.
Val Migliaccio
January 16, 2009 12:00am
TEAM Columbia manager Allan Peiper says the legend of Lance Armstrong will grow only if he can display his extraordinary talent on his return.
That legendary style shone through yesterday when the 37-year-old Texan proved he was the fittest in team Astana, leaving his teammates behind on the gruelling Old Willunga Hill climb south of Adelaide during training.
"Lance can do wonderful things for cancer awareness, but at the same time there was a myth around Lance Armstrong when he won the Tour de France seven times," Peiper said.
"I think it's pretty amazing that he even wants to risk that myth factor."
Peiper likened Armstrong's return after 3 1/2 years' retirement to that of Michael Jordan, who rejoined the NBA two years after retiring in 1993.
"As you saw with Michael Jordan, if the myth comes back and doesn't step up -- a little bit of the myth is broken," Peiper said.
Jordan's vulnerability was exposed when he failed to lead the Chicago Bulls back to the championship on his return in 1995.
Peiper said Columbia's Adam Hansen had noted that Armstrong had everything to lose in his comeback.
"I think that's right," Peiper said.
Armstrong's presence had created a massive groundswell for the Tour Down Under.
"I don't think I've seen this much (interest) since the Tour de France or the Tour of Italy and Spain and the other classics," Peiper said. "There's been so much hype.
"I'm sitting in the car listening to the radio -- it's Lance Armstrong. Reading the newspaper, it's Lance Armstrong on TV . . . he's everywhere.
"Even when I got off the plane in Adelaide there was a life-size poster of him."
But Peiper said Columbia was expected to excel in the Tour, which starts on Tuesday.
"This year it's going to be a little bit different at Stirling (Stage 2)," he said.
There's no time for hesitating.
Pain is ready, pain is waiting.
Primed to do it's educating.
Pain is ready, pain is waiting.
Primed to do it's educating.
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Comments
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Arse
It was my New Years Resolution not to click any link to an Armstrong topic, or watch any minute of an Armstrong race, or buy any magazine with an Armstrong photo or article in it.
So then I casually click a link from the front page of the main site, and it all crumbles to dust....you bastard....
Can't you do us a favour and put a ***Dull Content*** warning on Armstrong topics?
:twisted:0 -
Sorry mate.
I don't know if these get out so just doing my best to liven the racing news up for this time of year.There's no time for hesitating.
Pain is ready, pain is waiting.
Primed to do it's educating.0 -
You'd have to be Osama Bin Laden's next door neighbour if you wanted to avoid Armstrong????
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Gavin Gilbert wrote:ars*
It was my New Years Resolution not to click any link to an Armstrong topic, or watch any minute of an Armstrong race, or buy any magazine with an Armstrong photo or article in it.
So then I casually click a link from the front page of the main site, and it all crumbles to dust....you bastard....
Can't you do us a favour and put a ***Dull Content*** warning on Armstrong topics?
:twisted:
Must have hurt you real bad right enough to see armstrong on your PC monitor , did you have to visit hospital or what ?
MGGasping - but somehow still alive !0 -
Moray Gub wrote:Gavin Gilbert wrote:ars*
It was my New Years Resolution not to click any link to an Armstrong topic, or watch any minute of an Armstrong race, or buy any magazine with an Armstrong photo or article in it.
So then I casually click a link from the front page of the main site, and it all crumbles to dust....you bastard....
Can't you do us a favour and put a ***Dull Content*** warning on Armstrong topics?
:twisted:
Must have hurt you real bad right enough to see armstrong on your PC monitor , did you have to visit hospital or what ?
Whats the deal MG so someone doesnt want to hear about LA does it require that level of sarcasm? Ive noticed alot of this lately and it detracts from the forum.
MGTake care of the luxuries and the necessites will take care of themselves.0 -
[quote="?
Whats the deal MG so someone doesnt want to hear about LA does it require that level of sarcasm?
MG[/quote][/quote]
Yes
MGGasping - but somehow still alive !0 -
I just can't believe......................that nobody WANTS to read about Lance!!!!!
Whingeing blaaady poms!!! :roll:0 -
Gavin Gilbert wrote:ars*
It was my New Years Resolution not to click any link to an Armstrong topic, or watch any minute of an Armstrong race, or buy any magazine with an Armstrong photo or article in it.
So then I casually click a link from the front page of the main site, and it all crumbles to dust....you bastard....
Can't you do us a favour and put a ***Dull Content*** warning on Armstrong topics?
:twisted:
Who did ya think the "Legend" was .. Paul Kimmage, Eddie the Eagle ???.. who said that, internet forum people ?0
