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creekster · 06-07-2006, 09:23 PM

In the interest of full disclosure, I should probabyl reveal that when I was a teen in the mid seventies I lived in Belgium for a few years where Merckx was treated like a descneded resident of Olympus. I am sure this colored my thinking about him.

Quisqueyano · 06-07-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creekster

Tyler is an interesting case. I have always liked him and hoped he would succeed, and his ride in the Tour with a broken cololarbone was very impressive and girtty. That being said, it sure looks to me like he was a cheater. I have read everything I can about the guy and his case and I find his defensdes to be almost silly. In fact, if somebody like Fignon (who was famously dour and unpleasant) asserted such things even the French would laugh at him.

All I can say, I guess, is that I hope he is clean, or at least stays clean, and that he will race again, becasue he seems like a very nice guy.

I agree about his defense. I think for the most part he was trying to create a viable doubt. I think the process was at least worth questioning.
It doesn't matter now anyway. He has paid the price. I just hope he does't decide he's too old I would like to see him come back.
If for no other reason that to add to the stable of awesome American riders.

SteelBlue · 06-07-2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creekster

In the interest of full disclosure, I should probabyl reveal that when I was a teen in the mid seventies I lived in Belgium for a few years where Merckx was treated like a descneded resident of Olympus. I am sure this colored my thinking about him.

And I must admit that I served my mission in Belgium. However, I don't think you'll find too many that will argue that LA was a better overall rider.

Archaea · 06-07-2006, 09:45 PM

There are many great riders.

Eddie is the chief mentioned by most cycling fanatics as the best ever.

The other five time TdF winners were also great but Eddie was dominant.

Lance changed the face of riding, from broad to more focused. He brought science and regiment to it.

For Americans who were sleeping during the Merckx era, Lance is the face of cycling. For Europe, each country has its champion.

France maybe Hinault, Italy hard to say, Spain what's his hame oh that bugs me, Germany Ullrich, Denmark Rijs and so forth.

IT would have been fun to see each in their prime, Merckx versus Armstrong.

creekster · 06-07-2006, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archaea

Spain what's his hame oh that bugs me,

Indurain.

WIth time I thinnk even most French will concede that Merckx was the best.

Don't forget coppi and anquetil as you assemble your pantheon.

Quisqueyano · 06-07-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creekster

Indurain.

WIth time I thinnk even most French will concede that Merckx was the best.

Don't forget coppi and anquetil as you assemble your pantheon.

I think Pantani needs to be in there too.

creekster · 06-07-2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quisqueyano

I think Pantani needs to be in there too.

You do raise the hard questions. He was dominant in 98, when he won both the giro and the TdF, but after they started to implement stricter drug testing his career fell of the face of the earth. He ttestedpositive with very high hematpocrit levels at least twice and given his sad death and the circumstance sof his last few years, I think it is very likely he was also a cheater.

Looking past this issue, however, he was very impressive for a few years, but I am not sure his carrer was sufficiaently sustained to put him up there with those that have been mentioned.

SteelBlue · 06-07-2006, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creekster

and given his sad death

I'm trying to remember. Was it a cocaine overdose?

creekster · 06-07-2006, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelBlue

I'm trying to remember. Was it a cocaine overdose?

Cocaine intoxication but there were other drugs in his system at the time. Plus he left a note that was both cryptic and clear about his career.

He was the rare pure climber that won a grand tour (and more than just one, mind you).

bluegoose · 06-07-2006, 11:12 PM

I am a child among men when it comes to cycling history. That comes with having only ridden seriously for a couple of years now.

Thanks for the tutorial. I've heard much talk of Merckx over the past several years, but didn't know much of what creekster wrote about. 17 minutes in the Tour??? They sure make a big deal about Lance's domination when he wins by 7 minutes.

Poor Axl. Its got to be tough to be the son of a legend, especially if you are in the same field as dear old dad.

06-07-2006, 09:23 PM	#11
creekster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the far corner of my mind Posts: 8,711	In the interest of full disclosure, I should probabyl reveal that when I was a teen in the mid seventies I lived in Belgium for a few years where Merckx was treated like a descneded resident of Olympus. I am sure this colored my thinking about him. __________________ Sorry for th e tpyos.

06-07-2006, 09:45 PM	#14
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	There are many great riders. Eddie is the chief mentioned by most cycling fanatics as the best ever. The other five time TdF winners were also great but Eddie was dominant. Lance changed the face of riding, from broad to more focused. He brought science and regiment to it. For Americans who were sleeping during the Merckx era, Lance is the face of cycling. For Europe, each country has its champion. France maybe Hinault, Italy hard to say, Spain what's his hame oh that bugs me, Germany Ullrich, Denmark Rijs and so forth. IT would have been fun to see each in their prime, Merckx versus Armstrong. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

06-07-2006, 11:12 PM	#20
bluegoose Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,919	I am a child among men when it comes to cycling history. That comes with having only ridden seriously for a couple of years now. Thanks for the tutorial. I've heard much talk of Merckx over the past several years, but didn't know much of what creekster wrote about. 17 minutes in the Tour??? They sure make a big deal about Lance's domination when he wins by 7 minutes. Poor Axl. Its got to be tough to be the son of a legend, especially if you are in the same field as dear old dad.