Tour director says fans spat at Armstrong

[CatWoman]

did they mistake him for Chimpy??

L'ALPE D'HUEZ, France (Reuters) - Tour de France director Jean-Marie Leblanc has admitted he had seen fans spit at five-times champion Lance Armstrong during the 15.5-km time trial to L'Alpe d'Huez.

Leblanc also said the swarming crowds on the twisting climb on Wednesday had frightened him as riders, including Armstrong, were forced to weave through excited fans who jumped out on to the road.

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=sportsNews&storyID=551318§ion=news

[apnu]

1. there's apparently some stink about Armstrong "doping" among the French

I don't have any data, so its a rumor at best. I've also heard from Americans, that France is just pissed because "we" keep winning "their" Tour.

Its all a bunch of hooey, IMO. Doesn't change the fact that most of the EU hates our guts.

[HuckleB]

5. Like anywhere, it's a few assholes -- probably drunk.

It's not the entire nation.

What I don't get about this article is that it was far worse in the Pyrenees, in terms of how insane the fans were, while being so close to the riders.

[stopbush]

7. It's not just the French.

ESPN just did a report on the Armstrong doping controversy not 20 minutes ago. It's actually former team mates and doctors who have made the claims in the past.

There was a famous gathering of people in Armstrong's hospital room after his cancer surgery where he was asked point blank if he had taken PE drugs. Did he admit to it? Can't say. All the people who were there defer to Armstrong and won't answer the question.

I'm an Armstrong fan, but this doping issue won't go away. Neither is it limited to Armstrong or the USPS team. Blaming it on *the French* is a little...er...Republican, IMO.

[Westegg]

9. Yes, the Lance "doping" business is dismaying...

I learned a bit from watching an ESPN special on it today. Seems there's a book out now, only in France, co-written by a British journalist and a Frenchman, that's an "expose" of Lance's doping situation. It's called "L.A. Confidentiale," I think. The ESPN show interviewed the two writers and also gave a lot of screen time to American Greg LeMond, a previous Tour winner, who has become Armstrong's bete-noir and is basically saying "I think the guy's dirty." The evidence---at least what I saw---seemed circumstantial. But there was quite a bit of it. I'm a big, big Armstrong fan---I simply admire his drive, and his will to live, to beat cancer, and to win---and I personally hope this thing's resolved soon. I'd love to hear the thoughus of others who know more than I do because as it stands, these accusations are depressing, to say the least.

[DenverDem]

12. Lance has been tested more than any other cyclist, NEVER POSITIVE.

These charges are unsupportable by any measure of fact.

Lance simply works a lot harder than anyone else and consequently performs at an almost superhuman level. No one in his sport has the commitment or strength of will that Lance has.

Greg LeMond is a whiny crybaby because he used to be the legend, but his accomplishments pale miserably in the face of what Lance has achieved.

No one can beat him on the race course so they attempt to bring him down off of it.

It's BULLSHIT.

[alarimer]

21. yes

I heard Armstrong say that some reporters apparently broke into his hotel room looking for evidence. They found nothing but Lance also said that he wouldn't put it past them (the reporters I guess) to plant evidence. So perhaps it was someone who took offense to that remark. He has been dogged by these rumors for years. He has passed all the required tests so as far as I am concerned it is much ado about nothing.

[HuckleB]

34. It appears that the "spitters" were German.

So I guess we all were wrong to assume that they were French. Shame on us.

[JVS]

42. German biking hooligans!

sweet

[sonias]

2. Really sad too

There are a lot of excited fans, and just like in all sports you have some really badly behaved fans. I think someone called them hooligans on another web board. And it's not just the badly behaved fans that are the problem. There are many fans supporting Lance who block his path, run along side him with huge flags and even pat him on the back. All of this can be dangerous if the fan falls and trips or worse causes any of the riders to fall. A true fan would just cheer them on from a safe distance, but they get caught up in all the excitement.

The great thing about the tour is that so many people can come see their athletes compete, and you would hate to see them all be put behind barriers. They may have to do that someday if these crowds get bigger and bigger each year.

Sonia

[HuckleB]

6. Yes.

There was a guy with a US flag, running alongside in the Pyrenees on Saturday, and he almost took Armstrong out. Today, some German Ullrich supporter with a German flag actually slowed Ullrich, forcing him to change course. Some fans aren't too bright, I guess. Well, I guess we've always known that. It's just that this is one of the few sports where they can truly interfere with the action.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

3. And they call us fat and stupid...

But I don't think it gets more ignorant than spitting at someone. Rude bastard.
Duckie

[CrownPrinceBandar]

4. There will always be people who hate others for success........

If Lance is half the professional I believe he is, this won't even effect him. However, there is the matter the French media trying to access his room. That just stinks.

[HuckleB]

8. Muckrakers!

:freak:

[CrownPrinceBandar]

11. No doubt!.................................

Can't beat us fairly? Do some stupid underground shit like that.

He's passed all of his drug tests, leave him alone!

[DenverDem]

10. Lance is the greatest athelete ever.

His amazing accomplishments in what is the most grueling sport in the world are incredible enough without his defeat of serious cancer along the way.

He is a very classy man. He did not leave his wife, they tried reconciliations several times but it just did not work our. The fact that his current girlfriend is one of the most talented and beautiful artists in the world only adds to my respect for Lance.

He downplayed the boorish and criminal behavior of the hooligans on the route of today's torturous mountain climb time trial, and despite their distractions he completely blew away the rest of the field, defeating even the powerful German Jan Ulrich by over a minute. Lance's lead is now virtually insurmountable, barring some moran fan knocking him down and injuring him so badly that he can't go on.

Lance has been tested for doping more than any other cyclist and he has never tested positive. He simply works much harder year round to be the best so that when the race is on the line like today, he has the physical ability and, more importanly, the mental and spiritual power to endure the pain of the race and dominate anyone who would challenge him.

And he's a TEXAN, for all you haters out there.

[HuckleB]

16. Umm. Let's not go overboard.

He's one of the greatest cyclists in history, no doubt. However, it's a bit much to put the ultimate claim on the guy.

[DenverDem]

19. Who would you say is a greater athlete?

What sport is more demanding than cycling?

[Blue-Jay]

22. Curling is very demanding.

All that sweeping and sliding...

:P

[HuckleB]

24. You're going to say Armstrong is better than Merckx, Hinault, Indurain?

I don't think so.

[Maestro]

27. Whoa!

Wait, yes I do think he is better than those guys, especially Miguel. Merckx and Hinault and Miguel all dominated in their day, but put those against Lance today and they would lose.

Edit: Also, overall Lance is a better athlete. Do you think those guys could do a triathtlon and compete with the likes of Mike Pigg at the age of 16. He was growing up in Plano when I was in college and he was making news as a teenager for being one of the best triathletes before turning to cycling only.

[HuckleB]

28. Hardly.

They all did things Armstrong won't even attempt because he protects everything to focus on the Tour. He can't compare to the domination of Merckx and Hinault (Lance's palmares looks incredibly slim compared to those two), and even Indurain won the Giro and the Tour in the same year twice! Until Lance can do that, sorry, but he's just another one of the greats.

[DenverDem]

30. Lance is dominating people who are as good as Merckx and Hinault

because the quality of the field is much better now.

[HuckleB]

31. You can believe what you want to believe...

but you sunk your credibility with that ridiculous statement.

[DenverDem]

32. It's pretty much a subjective judgement

so your statements are no more credible than mine.

[HuckleB]

33. It's an educated judgment, based on history, my friend.

You're a fan who's chosen to go overboard with a ridiculous and outlandish claim, no more. Don't try to act like my statements are in the same league.

[soothsayer]

13. European fans hang around in trees, throwing lit cigarette butts at

enduro motorcyclists, too, and spitting on them, and throwing trash at them. Their fans are....a little too involved maybe.

[HEyHEY]

14. In punk rock culture it's considered a big compliment

He should be proud

[Blue-Jay]

15. A pic of some of Lance's CLASSIER fans....

No, Unnamed Ruffian, FUCK YOU!

[HuckleB]

17. Dude, you don't wanna be messing with the Basques.

:)

[Blue-Jay]

18. Yes. They are an unruly lot, eh?

[JohnLocke]

20. ETA and all that (nt).

[HuckleB]

25. Let's just say that they've been "conquered" repeatedly, but never...

really conquered.

Actually, when one takes a close look at world history, the Basques have had an inordinate amount of influence upon it for their numbers.

[HEyHEY]

23. Unreal - what a bunch of pricks

[HuckleB]

26. "bottles of red, cans of beer and topped it all off with shots of grappa"

Straight from Christian Vande Velde... drinking at elevation... look what it leads to!

:)

Todays diary entry:

Switchbacks, drunk fans and road art

http://www.velonews.com/tour2004/diaries/articles/6636.0.html

Some clips:

"By the time we started racing the fans had finished their lunches, finished their bottles of red, cans of beer and topped it all off with shots of grappa. When people are drunk, reaction times are slow and the noise is deafening-good and bad when you're racing up a hill with sweat in your eyes.

...

I do have one question, though. I just want to know who is painting the big penises on the climbs, and why. Anyway, I get a little chuckle every time I roll over one.

...

Leah, my wife, came to our hotel for a visit after the stage. I am not sure who is more tired between the two of us as she came to my room and crashed on the bed for a solid hour and half.

I was pretty excited to hear that she has a few NHL hockey players on tour with Trek travel. I thought it was pretty cool that a bunch of Canuck hockey kids love every minute of this wussy biking sport."

----------

And another from Monday:

Rest day!

http://www.velonews.com/tour2004/diaries/articles/6627.0.html

"We have very nice rooms on the course with air-conditioning and everything. Which would be nice if I didn't have an anti-aircon European roommate. So I laid in my bed sweating last night thinking how nice it will be in Girona with the air-conditioning on and my wife next to me instead of Dariusz Baranowski.

...

I rode up Plateau de Baille with Eki and Pavel of Postal, as slow as we could. We were encouraged by the crazy fans just like the day before and the shared misery-loves-company concept.

I do have a bone to pick with some of the Americans. Some guys - most likely Americans, though they could have been Canadian - were going nuts for the Postal guys, understandably. They pushed the two Posties - a Czech and a Russian! - while chanting "USA USA USA!"

Of course, they neglected to push me the only American within sight! Complimenti, you patriotic morons."

----------

[HuckleB]

29. It's very sad to say, but at least no one threw a punch.

A serious punch to the kidneys by a French fan dropped Eddy Merckx hard in 1975, keeping him from winning his sixth TDF, at that time. So, while spitting is ridiculous, sick, and uncalled for, it might actually be a step toward improved fan civility.

It's a sad statement, I know, but nonetheless...

[GOPisEvil]

35. Hmmm...Lance was against the war, so it isn't that...

I guess they're just tired of him winning all the damned time. Sucks for them. :D

[HuckleB]

36. According to Lance, the spitters were drunk Germans.

[GOPisEvil]

37. Hmmm..ok...so general drunkeness, nothing more, eh?

Who was that freak that was running in front of Lance as he shot out of the gate? I caught that on the replay. I know he was a fan, but maybe Lance should have made a speed bump out of him to teach him a lesson. ;-)

[HuckleB]

38. Lance isn't the only rider to deal with freaks...

that's part of the Tour.

Besides, it's not like the US fans aren't idiots, as well.

From Christian Vande Velde's Tour Diary:
http://www.velonews.com/tour2004/diaries/articles/6627.0.html

"I rode up Plateau de Baille with Eki and Pavel of Postal, as slow as we could. We were encouraged by the crazy fans just like the day before and the shared misery-loves-company concept.

I do have a bone to pick with some of the Americans. Some guys - most likely Americans, though they could have been Canadian - were going nuts for the Postal guys, understandably. They pushed the two Posties - a Czech and a Russian! - while chanting "USA USA USA!"

Of course, they neglected to push me the only American within sight! Complimenti, you patriotic morons."

Vande Velde also has a great description of what it was like to ride the Alpe yesterday:
http://www.velonews.com/tour2004/diaries/articles/6625.0.html

[GOPisEvil]

39. There are a lot of freaks on the Tour route to be sure.

I doubt freakery knows a nationality.

[HuckleB]

40. German rider called "Judas" and other names on Alpe yesterday.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2004/jul04/jul22news4

"After being called "Judas" and other names by German fans on Alpe d'Huez yesterday, CSC's super workhorse Jens Voigt has defended himself strongly. Voigt was heavily criticised by the Germans after he played a key role in chasing down T-Mobile's Jan Ullrich during stage 15, following the orders of his team director Bjarne Riis who wanted to protect Ivan Basso's second place. Despite the fact that Voigt and Ullrich ride for different teams and Voigt was merely obeying instructions, the partisan German fans did not see it that way and hurled abuse at him yesterday.

"I was sworn at on the road for being a traitor," said Voigt to DPA. "That was open hostility. I would have got off and yelled at them. National politics or war have no place here. It should only be about sport. I've always tried to simply live my life. The uncalled for criticism really hurt me. "

...

Voigt also criticised the commentators on German TV channel ARD, who he believed prompted the outcry. "That was certainly the trigger for the witch hunt," he said. "ARD and T-Mobile, that's a little narrow. It's the first time that I have been sworn at by fans. That's why I'm so sour."

The German also explained that he gave Andreas Klöden water with 7 km to go in Stage 15, and noted that he had worked completely for Ullrich in the Olympics in 2000. "And I will also die in Athens for him," he noted."

Those Germans. Those Germans!

;)

[HuckleB]

41. I mean, THOSE Germans!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2004/jul04/jul22news2

"But for Robbie McEwen there were no warm and fuzzy feelings. He was definitely not his usual smiling self at the summit of l'Alpe d'Huez after being heckled by German fans.

"I found it unsporting of quite a lot of the German fans who were standing on the mountain and booing and giving me the finger and screaming 'get f**ked McEwen.'," he told a European television crew. "I know for sure that the Australian fans won't be doing that to the Germans. The Norwegians were waving their flags but they certainly weren't unfriendly."

Why do you think the German fans were like this?

"Maybe they are just used to going to the football and behaving like arseholes," said McEwen. "This is not directed at all Germans, it is directed at the minority who did that and they know who they are and I'd like to send to them a nice big 'get f**ked'."

That's it. From now on Bratwurst is Freedom Sausage!

:)