If Armstrong is so clean, then how come he was able to beat known dopers like Pantani, Virenque, Ullrich, Basso, Landis, and Beloki?
2007-01-30 02:11:45 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
Exactly....there is no way.
Hey everybody - he did not "train harder" or "want it more" than anybody else. All those pro cyclist ride 6 or 7 hours a day and want it more than anything should ever even be wanted
...it's a deep sickness...and they all got it horrible...so nobody is training harder or wanting it more....they are just taking more or better drugs more correctly...PERIOD!
2007-01-30 04:58:48 · answer #1 · answered by (_)iiiiD 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, training harder than anyone else has some validity. Lance only raced in the Tour de France. While other cyclists were riding in several races a year, Lance only raced in that one. This allowed him to spend the entire year preparing for the race and gave him a decided edge against many of his competitors.
On top of this, Lance produces about half as much lactose (the substance that causes muscle fatigue) in his muscles than that of other cyclists. He just doesn't tire as easily.
Add to this the fact that he focused on beating life threatening brain and testicular cancer. He learned to use that obsessive focus to bring home the win. Many will claim that all athletes have this obsessive focus, but the fact is that having it honed by facing death in the face is not something many cyclists can claim to have done.
Another thing, Lance is well known for revolutionizing the support system in cycling. He galvanized his support team (companies like Nike, Oakley, and others) to produce his equipment. Up until Lance came along, cyclists settled for having one company build the handlebars, another build the frame, another do this, and another do that... confusing to say the least. Lance's stream-lined organization is now the norm in cycling, but frankly everyone else was playing catch-up to his ideal situation.
At this point, one has to question a world where, in the abscence of any proof, one is found guilty because "it just couldn't be any other way." One source after another has reported that they knew Lance was doping and one source after another has been sued by Lance, from individuals to major newspapers, and they have all lost. Generally, the reason for the loss is that they have no proof, only assumptions. The French seem to be quite happy to lob accusations at Lance. Maybe they are upset that an American so brutally dominated their race.
Finally, doping does not mean you will win. It gives you an edge just like any of the other things listed here do. Obviously, assuming that these other cyclists actually doped up, they must have been less than competent when it came to all the other things you need to win the Tour de France. Maybe they assumed that the dope would be enough. They were wrong.
2007-01-30 14:25:11 · answer #2 · answered by Fin 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I really wish people would stop asking this question... Lance did it, clean or not, and until the testing parameters are decided and the technology catches up, we will just have to accept the outcomes as they stand now... Just please give it a rest. Doping may be present in many sports, not just Cycling, but they need to come up with official rules and have better ways of tracking things...
You can't deny that Lance is an awesome athlete, with natural talent and a strong drive... I just hope that this controversy will end soon (although it will probably go on for years to come).
2007-01-30 11:27:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are all dopers, he just used a more advanced masking technique. That and he is a great cyclist make a chamption.
Until Lance sets the hour record, he will always be 3rd-5th best cyclist in the world all-time.
2007-01-30 22:12:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He trained harder and his physiology was perfect for cycling. In fact, the cancer helped him by changing his body shape to less muscular. It increased his power to weight ratio by something like 10%. If you see pictures of him before & after cancer, you'll see a big difference.
PS: If I'm not mistaken, the only one proven to be a doper was Virenque.
2007-01-30 11:12:21 · answer #5 · answered by crazydave 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He has the strongest heart. They did a study and found that his heart pumps 9x more blood per beat than the average rider. It was really interesting. IT allows him to lead his team more. Normally riders will go to the front for 30-45sec then fall back in line. Lance would lead for 1-1.5 minutes and then fall in line. His muscles recover faster do the blood flow.
2007-01-30 10:19:46 · answer #6 · answered by drockfreak 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Excellent point in his favor. He used skill, conditioning and pure will to beat the dopers. That fact that he was able to do so not using drugs doesn't say much for bothering to use them, now does it? I do not believe he used drugs!
2007-01-30 10:27:49 · answer #7 · answered by AKA FrogButt 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Axiom states that cheaters never win;Lance proves that be true by doing the hard work and winning. Miguel Indurain won 6 he didn't dope either.
2007-01-30 19:15:46 · answer #8 · answered by tesorotx 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No doubt!! Everyone that questions Lance should read "It's Not About the Bike" and realize that he practically lived on his bike. Training, training, training. Nuff said.
2007-01-30 11:47:09 · answer #9 · answered by Madrider 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because he focused on the TDF to the exclusion of all other stage races, one day races, tours etc, when has he been competitive in any of the other tours (Giro, Vuelta d Espana)? never
That's why.
2007-01-30 15:17:18 · answer #10 · answered by Nick F 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋