Marmite - a bitter debate
A question for any aficionado's out there;
Has any one individual in the history of cycling split the community and been the subject of such bitter debate as 'you know who'. Truly, the level of acrimony when things Armstrong or Livestrong are discussed, not just here but any forum is intense and I'm just not certain we've seen the like before. Can you sit on the fence when it comes to big Tex? I'm just not sure. Opinion tends to be strong and it's fairly even (or used to be).
I'm not especially interested in joining the 'Armstrong End Game' - currently being waged across the ether - but I am curious to know if anyone can come up with the name of someone who caused more upset, insults, argument amongst the following masses! When it comes to LA, it's almost biblical in proportion!
In short; I give you Lance Armstrong. Can anyone raise me ?
Has any one individual in the history of cycling split the community and been the subject of such bitter debate as 'you know who'. Truly, the level of acrimony when things Armstrong or Livestrong are discussed, not just here but any forum is intense and I'm just not certain we've seen the like before. Can you sit on the fence when it comes to big Tex? I'm just not sure. Opinion tends to be strong and it's fairly even (or used to be).
I'm not especially interested in joining the 'Armstrong End Game' - currently being waged across the ether - but I am curious to know if anyone can come up with the name of someone who caused more upset, insults, argument amongst the following masses! When it comes to LA, it's almost biblical in proportion!
In short; I give you Lance Armstrong. Can anyone raise me ?
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For me, a flawed legend but still a legend.
But a single individual? No-one comes close as far as I can think. Perhaps the French are full of love/hatred for someone like Virenque.
A couple of years ago the Observer Sport Magazine's cover said: Lance Armstrong - the most divisive man in sport. I find that hard to dispute.
(PS we're generally fairly calm on this forum. There's not much in the way of hatred)
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This is the most perfect thread title.
I have a bit of a theory that us fans are just so much more enlightened and have instant access to all sorts of information streams. Info that simply wouldnt have been available twenty thirty years ago. Info = opinion.
Didn't Coppi have 'issues' in his life outside cycling?
And a white coat hanging in the wardrobe.
David Millar is one who divides opinion more - though much less high profile of course there are lots who like him as a classy attacking British rider, an interesting character and doping crusader and lots who see him as a hypocritical doper and pretentious ponce.
it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
Rich ...
I spent a few weeks on holiday in Italy last year and got into quite a few conversations about cycling.
Every time I spoke bikes with a local the Coppi v Bartali saga came up. I was always asked who I sided with. I almost always caused offense when I said I was 'neutral' on the matter. No one believed me that this could be possible.
The most interesting thing was most of the people I spoke with were born after the rivalry ended - yet it remains today still a very important issue.
Can only imagine was it was like post WWII.
Just a couple, and only involving the Italian government, his first wife, his lover, his fans and the Vatican.
May I recommend 'Fallen Angel: The Fausto Coppi Story". A great read IMO.
I suspect not.
...........or at British Cycling
I like having him in the peleton, but that doesn't seem to irritate many people.
It's no fun if you like everyone in the peleton.
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Iain - sure, Cav may split opinion now. However, I'm so hopeful for him and really honestly feel that if he carries on in the same spirit of 2010, that more and more people will come to respect him enourmously, even if it is just grudging respect!! There are vast numbers of people who have no respect at all for LA.
I always thought he was perceived as being an aloof standoffish kind of character rather than posh.
Divisive to the cycling community yes particularly on forums such as this where self proclaimed doping and financial experts abound.......as for the average punter in the street he is the guy who beat cancer and won the Tour de France a few times.
Bodyline bowling caused outage as being unsporting and intended to cause a batsman harm. A diplomatic incident ensued and Anglo-Australian relations were extremely strained. Bodyline bowling was later banned by the MCC. Larwood emigrated to Oz in the fifties to escape continuing persecution in England for his bodyline bowling which he always maintained he was following orders.
Think how stupid the average person is.......
half of them are even more stupid than you first thought.
Think how stupid the average person is.......
half of them are even more stupid than you first thought.