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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@brett
My apologies to marko. I carelessly did not note the author. Indeed, it is a finely written piece, and inspires us all to be better men.
LeMonster.
So this one got me to post for the 1st time.
LeMan.
True champion. True comeback. TdF champion. World champion. Class act. Style to spare. Innovator. Genetic freak. Ambassador. Teammate. And so on.
Many of the Americans that followed in his draft and reaped meaningful financial rewards should thank him for the pull.
Glad to see folks coming out from under the ether.
@Mapearso
Indeed. He paved the way through the European Peloton with a bulldozer and a steamroller for every American that followed. There's always got to be a first - nobody better than LeMan to be the one.
It'd be great if somehow he could recoup some of the financial loss he's endured as a result of Trek and Pharmy blackballing him. Just another reason I'll never ride a Trek.
Welcome out of the shadows. Nice to have your input.
@marko
And you all know that Phil Anderson paved the way for the non-Euros, including LeMond.
@Marcus neatly worded there given that it was George Mills who headed up the English speaking "Foreign Legion"
I thank you. Wholeheartedly. I had never felt good with how LA would belittle LeMan during interviews or within the press. The way Trek dropped LeMond led me to live as it the brand was dead to me. In fact, they still are dead to me.
I am excited that the LeMelvis is now stricken from the record, as have other things...chapeau.
@frank Fucking awesome shots!
@Marcus
Thanks Marko. I'm here fairly often. It's a great place to visit.
@frank
LOVE that middle shot. Also makes me miss JiPM. Did we scare him away for good? I know he was moving to Dallas but sure have missed his calm sanity in the mix around here.