The response to the whole Lance Armstrong soap opera has been fun to watch. Before the doping allegations became well known in the mainstream media it was mainly cycling fans that had their suspicions, but half of them didn't really care too much as they accepted it was an integral part of riding at the time. The public at large considered him clean and an out and out hero for bringing it home against the cheaters.
After the USADA report was published the fun bit for cyclists was ticking off the bits you thought you knew and the bits you'd argued with supporters about, although a surprising number of people still clung to his silence as justification for their belief. Those that crumbled were busy burning their Livestrong memorabilia and taking to the internet to attack those that held strong.
Now it's pretty much all over, after a carefully managed 'interview' that exuded heavy scripting on both parts and was clearly done with specific outcomes in mind. The coverage is, as you'd expect, mainly negative and you have to feel sorry for the few people who undoubtedly watched it expecting fiery rebuttals. Cycling fans were keen to deride the whole popularist approach and generally declared 'they would be riding their bike instead', but I bet a fair few tuned in and you can guarantee that there will only be one topic of conversation in the coffee shops tomorrow morning....
After the USADA report was published the fun bit for cyclists was ticking off the bits you thought you knew and the bits you'd argued with supporters about, although a surprising number of people still clung to his silence as justification for their belief. Those that crumbled were busy burning their Livestrong memorabilia and taking to the internet to attack those that held strong.
Now it's pretty much all over, after a carefully managed 'interview' that exuded heavy scripting on both parts and was clearly done with specific outcomes in mind. The coverage is, as you'd expect, mainly negative and you have to feel sorry for the few people who undoubtedly watched it expecting fiery rebuttals. Cycling fans were keen to deride the whole popularist approach and generally declared 'they would be riding their bike instead', but I bet a fair few tuned in and you can guarantee that there will only be one topic of conversation in the coffee shops tomorrow morning....
C'mon, the guy did it, he said so, people have been saying it for years. He's not alone, many in the past, more in the future (Wiggins). Drop cycling as an Olympic sport for a while and move on. For what it's worth, I don't like Landis either, raised money for defense through donations, then came out and admitted drug use. I miss Marco Pantani.
ReplyDeleteHere endeth the rant.
Gordy
I blame the Beetroot IPA. Look forward to soft tacos at the Burow, 8am Saturday Morn.