It would take a miracle even if he had not taken three years off and had not broken his collar bone.
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Results with 31 short comments
Total of 4,570 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments
55.8%
Yes
2,552 votes
44.2%
No
2,018 votes
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Newsvine Discussion with 58 comments - Click here to jump to the comment form.
{"commentId":7774587,"authorDomain":"kg17-3"}
Just not going to happen. Too old and not in good enough shape. I love the guy, but it just ain't gonna happen.
{"commentId":7774587,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"kg17-3"}
#1 - Sun Jun 21, 2009 11:01 PM EDT{"commentId":7785759,"authorDomain":"referee08"}
I am a big Lance fan as well. I made special trips to Paris to see him win two of his Tours. However, there is no way he can win another. It is just not going to happen!
{"commentId":7785759,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"referee08"}
#2 - Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:31 PM EDT{"commentId":7804375,"authorDomain":"epipygus"}
You guys must be hitting the juice yourself. He's overcome cancer to win it 7 times straight! What more does he have to do to show you he can do it. Besides, contador is on his team and there is no way a teammate of Lance's is going to beat him. NO WAY!
{"commentId":7804375,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"epipygus"}
- 2 votes
#3 - Tue Jun 23, 2009 2:14 PM EDT{"commentId":7936854,"authorDomain":"cpf55"}
dude.....you do not know cycling.
{"commentId":7936854,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"cpf55"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":7967083,"authorDomain":"RubberSoul901"}
I agree with cpf55, I honestly do not believe that Lance even has a chance and Contador is on his team yes, which means he will also be going after the title as well as his other teammates Leipheimer and Kloden all of whom have the talent to win. To be honest Astana probably won't be on the podium because they won't be able to work as a cohesive unit, just like the T-Mobile squad a few years ago with Ullrich, Kloden and Vincourov, they all just fought against each other instead of working together to win. So yes you don't have a clue about cycling.
{"commentId":7967083,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"RubberSoul901"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":8097938,"authorDomain":"clearmountain"}
yep overcame cancer with the help of a loving wife and as soon as it looked like he would survive he bailed on her. bailed on his old team. Bailed on Cheryl Crow. The last time anyone bailed this much the Titanic was headed down. He is a narcissistic child of a man and I can only hope he ends up in as much pain as he has created for those around him
{"commentId":8097938,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"clearmountain"}
{"commentId":8134186,"authorDomain":"ttracy-3"}
Oh brother. Yeah. That would be the perspective to take, wouldn't it? Give me a break.
{"commentId":8134186,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"ttracy-3"}
{"commentId":8138062,"authorDomain":"mtbikerdale"}
I agree if Contador wins it will be like Ali's cutman knocking him out. It just wouldn't happen.
{"commentId":8138062,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"mtbikerdale"}
{"commentId":7810293,"authorDomain":"rgrippo"}
It seems incredible that Lance even has a shot at winning the Tour de France. The competition is just too intense and everyone will be gunning for him, because if he wins after a three year hiatus and at an "adanced age", it shows the competition in a bad light (they can't beat an "old man" who has not ridden the Tour in three years). But, he has a lot going for him. He has the best coach, the strongest team, showed real pedal power the last week of the Giro d'Italia (his legs are BACK), will not have to face Valverde, and most importantly, he knows better than anyone else racing how to win the Tour de France. So, I give him about a 60-70% chance of winning the tour. Which I believe is higher than any other single rider in the tour.
{"commentId":7810293,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"rgrippo"}
- 1 vote
#4 - Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:10 PM EDT{"commentId":7814945,"authorDomain":"blaine-turnacliff"}
even with his daily human growth hormone, EPO, steroids, DHEA, testosterone and only Lance and God know what else and in what combinations, I seriously doubt he will be able to win again after such a long lay off. He has proven that he has incredible heart and mental endurance and is a clear winner. His age however, is not in his favour plus the long lay off and competing with others on similar performance enhancing regimes. The stars have to be all aligned just perfectly to pull off a win at the TDF and not likely he can realign them after such a long break from the sport.
{"commentId":7814945,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"blaine-turnacliff"}
#5 - Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:43 PM EDT{"commentId":7815179,"authorDomain":"decaman"}
No offense, but your comments regarding cheating/enhancers is pretty idiotic.. What are the 30+ drug tests he has had this year testing?......spinach? I think not. I may agree that the odds are against him, but don't throw a bunch of crap out there without the evidence to back it.. That's as bad as our politicians winning a platform on "Change".....
{"commentId":7815179,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"decaman"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":8047011,"authorDomain":"jimbenedick"}
decaman: I agree. Just like, "I'm a uniter, not a divider." We're still dealing with that.
{"commentId":8047011,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"jimbenedick"}
{"commentId":8080026,"authorDomain":"onlythemiddlematters"}
{"commentId":8126019,"authorDomain":"spiritofny"}
Lance is the most tested person in the world he has never tested positive for anything he been tested more then most baseball teams put together unless u can prove otherwise stop being jealousy of a man who has done good and who does good for cancer patients
{"commentId":8126019,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"spiritofny"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7818266,"authorDomain":"Becca117"}
Personally I don't think it's likely that he'll win, and not just because he's been out of the action for a while. It's true that Astana looks like the strongest team, but with two former Tour winners on the same team I think there could be trouble. After all, Contador won two years ago and Lance won four years ago so I'm not sure Contador wants to cede his chance at a win; there are some reports that even say Contador has been trying to leave Astana, like here--
--though I don't know how likely it is that Garmin was ready to sign him, since that would mean Vande Velde would most likely have to relinquish being captain, and I'm not sure Garmin would do that to him. Even though he crashed so badly (such a shame, I think) recently, they still seem to have a lot of faith in him...it could be that they were waiting to see if he felt fit for the Tour, but he's on the start list now so evidently he does. Anyhow, with Leipheimer on the same team too it just seems to me like there could be too many egos involved in this.
{"commentId":7818266,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"Becca117"}
#6 - Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:18 AM EDT{"commentId":7818626,"authorDomain":"Becca117"}
Oh darn, they won't let me post the link. Well if anyone's interested, the article is called "Armstrong's team in turmoil as Tour looms" and it's on bicycling.com.
{"commentId":7818626,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"Becca117"}
#7 - Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:37 AM EDT{"commentId":7864892,"authorDomain":"dragonman"}
Strongest Team period with the news on the final roster and I have no doubt they will win. Will it be Lance? I can't be sure but either way someone from his team will win. It is a NO LOSE SITUATION!
{"commentId":7864892,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"dragonman"}
#8 - Thu Jun 25, 2009 11:37 PM EDT{"commentId":7914761,"authorDomain":"robin-1187624"}
He is arguably the most drug tested athlete in the world. For those of you who ignorantly accuse him of doping, get a clue and do some research before posting such gibberish.
While I don't think he will win this years tour, he is a phenominal athlete and deserves tremendous respect.
{"commentId":7914761,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"robin-1187624"}
- 1 vote
#9 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:15 PM EDT{"commentId":8097981,"authorDomain":"clearmountain"}
he is a scumbag who deserves nothing from us.
{"commentId":8097981,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"clearmountain"}
{"commentId":8134201,"authorDomain":"ttracy-3"}
And yet another idiot....
{"commentId":8134201,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"ttracy-3"}
{"commentId":8137512,"authorDomain":"tlogirl"}
Wow, this Jager character seems to have a personal grudge.
Armstrong is like Jordan or Babe Ruth or even Tiger--a once in a generation athelete--is it really so impossible to believe that someone has this amount of personal fortitude and desire to succeed?
Armstrong is laying all his cards on the table and taking a huge risk with his 'legacy' and his career to compete at this level again (because it's what he loves and who he is)--he's got more guts and nerve than most anyone you'll meet in your lifetime--and still the haters can't let it go. Kinda sad, really.
{"commentId":8137512,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"tlogirl"}
{"commentId":7919659,"authorDomain":"rjbenedict"}
I vote yes mainly because I am a armstrong fan and because he's hard times, thats no reason to quit on him. You back your man in bad times as well as good.
{"commentId":7919659,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"rjbenedict"}
#10 - Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:36 AM EDT{"commentId":7926970,"authorDomain":"sqrlerider"}
He's not trying to "win" this year....he's going to ride for someone else on his team.
{"commentId":7926970,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"sqrlerider"}
#11 - Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:15 PM EDT{"commentId":8058298,"authorDomain":"lao18503"}
Exactly, these people don't know how this sport works. It's a TEAM - the team members are there to support those who are the leader(s). They may even sacrifice themselves, letting the leader draft just so he can have that edge come the finish line. Lance went into this not with a desire to win, but just to ride again.
{"commentId":8058298,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"lao18503"}
{"commentId":8098127,"authorDomain":"clearmountain"}
amazing info...get if from the Psychic Hotline??? Lance call you personally? He has never been a "team" rider. He has always assembled a crew to serve him...its no a two way street. Its all about Lance and thats why he will not prevail this year. He cannot take being out of the spotlight.
{"commentId":8098127,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"clearmountain"}
{"commentId":8134204,"authorDomain":"ttracy-3"}
He's no where near 'out' of the spotlight. Whether he wins or not, he is smack dab in the middle of the spotlight.
{"commentId":8134204,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"ttracy-3"}
{"commentId":7936106,"authorDomain":"lmah"}
Lance Armstrong has submitted to more doping tests (scheduled and unscheduled) than any other rider in the tour de france. Given his history, his good fortune in overcoming cancer, his unusual physical make up and his mental strength, he certainly had the capability of cleanly winning 7 tours. But, to come back and win the tour (despite having run in a couple of New York City marathons) at nearly 38 years old after a three year layoff and having broken his collarbone just a few short months ago - is not realistic. There are younger, very talented riders out who are far more likely to win the tour than Lance. Moreover, his role this year will be as domestique to Contador who is a very gifted rider and will fight hard, himself, to try to win the tour himself. If I were a betting person, I'd put my money on Contador right now.
{"commentId":7936106,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"lmah"}
#12 - Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:37 PM EDT{"commentId":7999526,"authorDomain":"dsteinberg"}
Pharmastrong should stay in retirement. Time for the younger riders to shine. He did awesome over the years.
{"commentId":7999526,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"dsteinberg"}
#13 - Thu Jul 2, 2009 10:51 PM EDT{"commentId":8000564,"authorDomain":"tjpatten"}
It is a little sad to see the ignorant comments of these losers who can't even conceive of the efforts required to become a rookie tour rider, much less the winner of seven consecutive tours who is still the most-tested athlete in the world.
Sadly, the world is full of people who think that cheating is the only way to win and then project this behavior onto those who do succeed, as if this brings them down to their level. These people are called losers.
Astana will support the team member who has the best shot at the GC. If Lance becomes that team member, I will be rooting for him.
{"commentId":8000564,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"tjpatten"}
- 1 vote
#14 - Fri Jul 3, 2009 12:46 AM EDT{"commentId":8000616,"authorDomain":"tjpatten"}
It is a little sad to see the ignorant comments of these losers who can't even conceive of the efforts required to become a rookie tour rider, much less the winner of seven consecutive tours who is still the most-tested athlete in the world.
Sadly, the world is full of people who think that cheating is the only way to win and then project this behavior onto those who do succeed, as if this brings them down to their level. These people are called losers.
Astana will support the team member who has the best shot at the GC. If Lance becomes that team member, I will be rooting for him.
{"commentId":8000616,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"tjpatten"}
- 2 votes
#15 - Fri Jul 3, 2009 12:53 AM EDT{"commentId":8000632,"authorDomain":"tjpatten"}
It is a little sad to see the ignorant comments of these losers who can't even conceive of the efforts required to become a rookie tour rider, much less the winner of seven consecutive tours who is still the most-tested athlete in the world.
Sadly, the world is full of people who think that cheating is the only way to win and then project this behavior onto those who do succeed, as if this brings them down to their level. These people are called losers.
Astana will support the team member who has the best shot at the GC. If Lance becomes that team member, I will be rooting for him.
{"commentId":8000632,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"tjpatten"}
- 2 votes
#16 - Fri Jul 3, 2009 12:55 AM EDT{"commentId":8015303,"authorDomain":"THEGECKOS"}
The bloodsucking testers won't leave enough red cells behind to be competitive. It would be a miracle if he did anything.
{"commentId":8015303,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"THEGECKOS"}
- 1 vote
#17 - Fri Jul 3, 2009 9:49 PM EDT{"commentId":8058527,"authorDomain":"ecoli23"}
well to all the haters.... lance is in 3rd place 40 seconds behind the leader with a team time trial tomorrow and they are predicting lance will have yellow at the end.... but if he doesnt he will by the end of this coming sunday as the mountains are coming.....so keep talkin that mess, he has shut you ppl down before and will do it again barring any incidents
{"commentId":8058527,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"ecoli23"}
- 1 vote
#18 - Mon Jul 6, 2009 4:19 PM EDT{"commentId":8069524,"authorDomain":"PHILLYDOG71"}
there is no doubt that lance can win this thing. he is the single greatest bike rider in history. he is not over the hill as alot of people think., and he knows this course so well. s--t hes only 37, and if they say that 50 is the new 35 nowadays he is the the man to beat in this, which i believe will be his eighth title. people are accomplishing incredible things nowadays in there later years like never before . what a great thing it would be if he can pull it off. go usa, go lance.
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#19 - Tue Jul 7, 2009 2:03 AM EDT{"commentId":8073499,"authorDomain":"lao18503"}
Really? The single greatest cyclist in history? Can you honestly say his 7 TDF victories (and a couple others) are better than, say, Merckx or Hinault?? Lance is a one-trick pony - his wins are almost entirely from TDF (not a single win in the Giro or Vuelta). Even there, Merckx won more stages (34 compared to 25), wore the yellow jersey longer (96 days compared to only 75), and was a more well-rounded cyclist (the only rider ever to win all the classifications in a single year in the TDF and Giro).
Nothing against Lance, I know he's done incredibly especially considering his battle with cancer, and it is possible that if that didn't happen he could have been the best (still could, I suppose). I'm just saying that you can't ignore the past and the incredible cyclists who have come before Lance.
{"commentId":8073499,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"lao18503"}
{"commentId":8120652,"authorDomain":"superbearcat"}
Either you love him or hate him, human emotions are a thing of beauty. After reading these posts, it's clear he stills draws the best and worst of us all. But he does draw it out like no other bike rider the past decade. I'm a little surprised he's in form so early in the race, but I think he'll slide back in the Pyrenees, but get stronger, and may be the strongest the last week. I believe he is the smartest/wisest rider. And the Tour rewards the trait, however, the question weather Lance can win lies with his teammates. They're the strongest team, and will be even more dominate in the mountains. If those four, Kloden, Contador, Levi, and Lance had an agreement to work for anyone of the four, it's game over. Question is, will they each have a separate agenda. It appears Lance is capable. Regardless, he certainly is adding a huge dimension to the Tour. His impact has to be huge monetarily.
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{"commentId":8073662,"authorDomain":"octavia2nd"}
i think people forget he has defied odds before. that never say die american spirit. when you reach where know one can go. Hes done it before, don't just count him out
{"commentId":8073662,"threadId":"609165","contentId":"2954241","authorDomain":"octavia2nd"}
#20 - Tue Jul 7, 2009 10:59 AM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"609165","isPrivate":false}
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yes! if he gets enuff steroids!