The recent headlines being made in the cycling world have honestly not garnered a whole lot of attention at V-HQ, at least where a certain COTHO is concerned. Yes, The Keepers have added to the usual discussions on the topic here, read the news, and given it some thought. But we really don’t feel the need to take any sort of official position, recap the whole sordid mess, or offer up any ideas on how to move forward. Just as you all contribute positively to this place in ways we couldn’t possibly have envisioned when we started, the cycling community as a whole will contribute positively to our sport as we grow through this. COTHOS, governing bodies, PED’s, and corruption be damned. We’re here to live La Vie Velominatus.
That being said, we feel the need to retract LeMelvis from the Lexicon as a result of this whole mess. Perhaps the COTHO’s reach into public opinion went far enough to cloud our judgement of the greatest American cyclist and only American winner of the Tour. It went far enough that we thought it was okay, if not funny, to besmirch his more recent public image. We were wrong and for that we are sorry. Where has LeMond been in the recent tumult? Quiet, letting things speak for themselves. That’s class. The same class he showed when he turned up in Europe as a neo-pro to race with the best as a virtually solitary American. The same class he showed winning three Tours. The same class he showed in the above picture. Vive La Vie, Greg. You’re the man.
As point of clarification, Greg LeMan has maintained its honorary place in the Lexi. We might even put it in bold now.
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LeMan is my hero. Ever since I got to meet him last year at a charity ride (and spend about half an hour to 45 minutes just chattin' it up with him), he's stuck in my mind as the ultimate class act. Not a bad word to say about anybody, and - as we were both talking about weight issues (mostly how I'd lost 80 lbs at that point) - a lot of encouragement for me. He will always get a plus in my book.
Dammit. Looks like those images didn't post. Let's try this way:
@ErikdR
Yes, that pic is so perfect. I believe that Graham Watson called it his favorite pic that he ever took (could be wrong here but I think he said that).
@ErikdR
I think Graham Watson has said that's his favorite-ever photo.
@Daccordi Rider
I don't think Indurain goes in just because he has an opinion we disagree with, but the list certainly needed culling; I'd forgotten some of those names were in there. Basso also doesn't deserve to be in there; he's been pretty harmless overall and vocal about doping, despite his failure to provide a realistic confession when he had the chance.
Ricco and Bruyneel definitely needed a place in there. Bruyneel for sure, and Ricco not so much for his positive test, but for attempting a HOME BLOOD TRANSFUSION. Anybody home?
COTHO list updated.
@frank Ha! Great minds think alike ( or at least remember shit the same).
Well done Frank. I was going to suggest Verbruggen be added. Ricco definitely wins the Stupid C*** prize...
@G'phant
Who is serving the Kool-Aid to these Spanish guys anyways because they sure are drinking it:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-says-there-is-no-new-proof-against-armstrong
@frank
Ricco also for sneaking into an Italian cyclosportif - truly a COTHO.
@Buck Rogers
Of course the Spanish are drinking it - its most likely being served by Fuentes/Ferrari and is laced with EPO and Clenbuterol
@frank
WIN! I'm glad you got McQuaid in there. He really deserves to be in that list.
The picture at the top of this article is so casually deliberate- it looks like he could quickly dispatch anybody who did try challenge the Z Vetements equipe.
I feel like I owe Greg a personal apology, as he was the guy who originally sparked my interest in cycling as young Yank, as he battled the Europeans. But over the years I lost certain respect of LeMan amid the glow of LIVEWRONG and thought Greg was a bit bitter jealous old man....and now I feel like I was duped by a punter roped into a cheap street shell game. And Brett has it nailed with his silence the last few weeks speaking volumes about who is classy.
Chapeau to the Keepers for the Retraction and the elevation of the LeMan.