Lance takes a shot at Sastre and VandeVelde

[SteelBlue]

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf2009/news/story?id=4304237

In the new book, "Lance -- The Making of the World's Greatest Champion" by John Wilcockson, Armstrong is said to have recounted his early musings about a possible comeback after the 2008 Tour.

"The Tour was a bit of a joke this year. I've got nothing against Sastre ... or Christian Vande Velde," he was quoted as saying shortly after the race last year. "Christian's a nice guy, but finishing fifth in the Tour de France? Come on!"

I like Lance. Really, I do. But I would not be sad to see VdV beat him after making comments like that.

[creekster]

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf200...ory?id=4304237




I like Lance. Really, I do. But I would not be sad to see VdV beat him after making comments like that.

I actually don't care for Lance as a person. Sort of a big jerk, really. BUt as a bike rider he is an amazing talent. The guy won 7 in a row and probably has no doubt he could take VDV any day any place.

Btw, I really doubt VDV will do better than Lance.

[SteelBlue]

Lance apologized for those comments today.

http://tour-de-france.velonews.com/article/94681/armstrong-this-is-harder-than-i-thought

“Here’s a confession: I expected it to be easier,” he said. “I expected it (12 months ago). Six months ago, I did not expect it. I realized – oh shit – this is harder than I thought. That’s the truth.”

A humbled Armstrong also took the opportunity to publicly apologize to riders he slighted in an interview published in John Wilcockson’s new Armstrong biography, calling last year’s Tour “a joke.”

“The Tour was a bit of a joke this year,” Armstrong told Wilcockson. “I’ve got nothing against Sastre or Christian Vande Velde. Christian’s a nice guy, but finishing fifth in the Tour de France? Come on.”

On Tuesday, Armstrong said he regretted those comments.

“As reported in the press, I was disrespectful, to Carlos Sastre, to Christian Vande Velde, to the guys who were a pressure in last year’s Tour,” he said. “And that was not correct.”

[UtahDan]

It is impossible not to respect this guy, but the fact that he is buddy buddy with Matthew McConaughey has to mean that he is an immature tool on some level.