"You got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em.
Know when to walk away...
~ Kenny Rogers (The Gambler)
So that's it. Lance Armstrong comes back to the tour - and places third. Definitely a respectable placement, and nothing to be scoffed about.
But there were a couple of things that maybe - maybe - tarnished the finish.
a) He didn't finish first. He could have retired on a high, the clear and definitive, undisputed champion of the race - but he came back, and finished third. He says that he came back in order to keep raising money for cancer research and to keep his profile high - but was he suffering from a lack of publicity when he was retired? Also - by coming back and not winning, is he going to see himself drift into irrelevance as people move on to someone they view as "more impressive"?
b) Worst of all, there's bickering between himself and the winner, Alberto Contador. I have to be honest - no matter who's at fault, no matter if it's justified - never air your team's dirty laundry. No one comes out looking good. Lance looks bitter, and like he's trying to justify why he didn't finish first, and Alberto Contador looks like an egotistical prima donna. Neither person comes off well.
I've always respected many things about Lance Armstrong - and justifiably so, I believe. Granted, I don't know the man himself - only the public figure. Ego? Probably - but he had the wins to back them up. He could just smile and brush the criticism aside, because he's won year after year. He always seemed above the fray - a person who could let their accomplishments speak for themselves. Until now, that is.
Sometimes it's hard to see our role models become too human.
~Guy
3 comments:
On the other hand:
- He was always criticized for making the race and his team all about himself. This time he was a perfect 'team player' even though it likely cost him one step on the podium.
- He openly admitted when others were stronger - he made no excuses and never tried to claim there were other factors. He humanized himself in the process and won TONS of fans.
- Many believe this is his most impressive Tour ever - being 37, out of the sport for so long, broken collarbone just few months before the Tour and to place a STRONG 3rd against the best in the world.
- The whole team kept it together enough to guarantee a stellar outcome (1st and 3rd) - that's what they are paid to do - as professionals. It is only now, and only the avid follower, that is hearing the details and the sniping.
All in all, as an avid cycling fan (and admitted L.A. fan), I felt that he solidified his reputation as a winner and added the badge of "great teammate" ESPECIALLY if you consider he and A.C. don't exactly get along. He put the success of the team ahead of personal success and personal grudges.
I think he will be a force in 2010 when he will again be leading a team... but this year we learnt a lot more about Lance than we did over the course of many of those victories.
Cheers,
MJ
I agre with MJ.
Not being an avid cyclist, I fully came engulfed and obessed with the tour. One reason: Lance Armstrong.
I have read his books, followed his story and truly respect what he has done for the sport of cycling, the Tour and his fight to conquer cancer.
Due to Lance being in the tour people in North America had an interest in the event. There was a sense of commadery for Lance and also debates to see how he was going to do. It did not matter if your were an avid cyclist or not.
People were asking questions, talking and watching the tour... was there any of this the last 4 years?
Awesome - so some people are still reading these!
I agree, MJ, that sometimes when people allow their flaws to be seen they become that much more human, and relatable... and ironically, this is always something that I've thought is important for leaders. To admit our weaknesses. And I agree, as well, that they did an amazing job to finish where they did despite their not getting along.
BUT: I maintain that he should have taken the high ground... I feel like the sniping detracts from many of the positive things you listed. And I'm a huge L.A. fan as well - which is why I am disappointed by what's happening.
Frankly, I was disappointed by Rice, Jordan and Favre as well. I still feel that one of the best retirements has been Gretzky's - he was definitely being surpassed by others, recognized it, and gracefully stepped aside (his coaching ability and record are another thing entirely...)
Thanks for sharing, guys - appreciate hearing another side of things!
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