Categories: General

The Lexicon: A Retraction

Sorry, Greg. We take it back.

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.

Marko

Marko lives and rides in the upper midwest of the States, Minnesota specifically. "Cycling territory" and "the midwest" don't usually end up in the same sentence unless the conversation turns to the roots of LeMond, Hampsten, Heiden and Ochowitz. While the pavé and bergs of Flanders are his preferred places to ride, you can usually find him harvesting gravel along forest and farm roads. He owes a lot to Cycling and his greatest contribution to cycling may forever be coining the term Rainbow Turd.

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Marcus says:

Oct 23 2012 at 5:24 pm

@Chris

@Marcus neatly worded there given that it was George Mills who headed up the English speaking "Foreign Legion"

Must say I needed to Google Mr Mills - sounds like he was just another daft Pommie TT rider. I would say Our Hubert Opperman would have him covered.

My cheeky post (designed to stir our American friends who in their cute way just feel the need to be positive about something when so much negative shit is flying around) did hold a grain or two of truth. Anderson led the charge of the English speakers in the modern era and pushed with things like SIS gearing, cycling glasses (specifically the company beginning with O and formerly associated with COTHO) and improved pay - all of which LeMond also advanced just as much if not more.
mxlmax says:

Oct 23 2012 at 6:06 pm

@frank

LeMonster.

LeMondrian -- Greg LeMond battles Bernard Hinault under LOOK Cycle Team
mxlmax says:

Oct 23 2012 at 6:08 pm

LOOK proposes the first carbon frame (with TVT tubes), the KG 86. It is completely handmade and combines Kevlar with carbon for increased rigidity. The frame brought luck to Greg Lemond, winner of the 1986 Tour de France.
frank says:

Oct 23 2012 at 6:10 pm

@Marcus

@marko

@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.

And you all know that Phil Anderson paved the way for the non-Euros, including LeMond.

That chip on your shoulder is showing. You really think he "paved" the road for LeMond given he started exactly ONE year before him and then got round to the business of always being a worse cyclist?
frank says:

Oct 23 2012 at 6:15 pm

@mxlmax

Class.
mxlmax says:

Oct 23 2012 at 6:19 pm

Pieter Cornelis "Piet" Mondriaan, 1872 - 1944, was a Dutch painter
mxlmax says:

Oct 23 2012 at 6:21 pm

@frank That's a photo -- a keeper.
frank says:

Oct 23 2012 at 6:22 pm

@Marcus

@Chris

@Marcus neatly worded there given that it was George Mills who headed up the English speaking "Foreign Legion"

Must say I needed to Google Mr Mills - sounds like he was just another daft Pommie TT rider. I would say Our Hubert Opperman would have him covered.

My cheeky post (designed to stir our American friends who in their cute way just feel the need to be positive about something when so much negative shit is flying around) did hold a grain or two of truth. Anderson led the charge of the English speakers in the modern era and pushed with things like SIS gearing, cycling glasses (specifically the company beginning with O and formerly associated with COTHO) and improved pay - all of which LeMond also advanced just as much if not more.

You Aussies are so cute. I think your height is proving a disadvantage for you; there must be too much atmosphere there near the ground where you live and breathe.

Phil lead the charge?

Then what was Tommy Simpson doing? Barry Hoban? Paul Sherwin? Sean Kelly? Jonathan Boyer?

Phil was early and an innovator for sure (thanks for the STI, mate) but far from being the first. And I don't think he lead LeMond on the Oakleys - seems they were in that one together.

I'm shocked you didn't cite the first English Speakers as being your two country mates who competed in the 1914 Tour. Those guys were pioneers.
Marcus says:

Oct 23 2012 at 7:05 pm

@frank arent you Dutch?

There were more than two Australians touring France(and Belgium) in 1914. We fucking led the way there for you too..
Daccordi Rider says:

Oct 23 2012 at 7:23 pm

@Marcus Oh I say, Top hole that one sir!