Can you read this with a straight face?
Heh.
"The ingredients were there for the floor to cave in on Astana if such rivalry got out of hand, and it fell to Bruyneel (and a highly mature Armstrong) to accept the law of the peloton and make sure the strongest man won, and won for Astana."
over 2 years ago
Bruce Suomi
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bwahahahahahahah....gasp...bwahahahahahahah...gasp...gasp...bwahahahahahahah
bwahahahahahahah…bwahahahahahahah…snicker…bwahahahahahahah…gasp…bwahahahahahahah…snort…bwahahahahahahah!
Are you ok? Should I call a doctor?
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
Nope. Can't do it. Graham Watson has drunk the Kool-Aid.
It has become apparent to me over the past year (and many of you probably figured this out long ago) that the Lance Armstrong Show makes lots of money and if you want to be a part of Armstrong’s money making machine you have to buy into the rhetoric entirely and lose your self respect or walk away with your integrity. There’s no middle ground.
OK, it's not a perfect analogy
But I came to think of this xkcd strip. Why even bring the maturity up in the first place?
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
Another memeber of the Armstrong propaganda machine
but really, who is surprised Watson said something like this?
Dammit Elk! I don't care if it's your mating season, you are disturbing my peaceful sleep! Just STFU!
this is excellent
great post!
"well...you live in england so: you love the rain. loves the queen. hates cycling. based on mr bean had a tremendous amount of humour. all ride in a mini cooper. all getting drunk before the age of 12. getting drunk at least 3 times a day."- frinking, 7/9/09
well
can you say it’s surprising after that thing he wrote post ParisNice?
straight face is another thing ha ha.
Graham is a company guy
and it is of course his job to present Astana in the best possible light. They’ll all move on to RadioShack now.
I would expect that all team websites would operate that way, some teams more so than others no doubt.
If you ever watch a race on Sporza, if Boonen is involved in a sprint the commentating can be hilarious as are the headlines post-race. Voice during the sprint finish: “Boonen, Boonen, Boonen, Boonen……Tyler Farrar.” Headline: “Boonen comes close but falls short”.
In U.S. sports, I find it much more enjoyable listening to local announcers than national announcers, at least for teams I am rooting for. Their enthusiasm is infectious. They, like Graham Watson, are hired by the teams.
Off air, TV broadcasters will say that they don’t even believe half of what they say on the air. Money rules and this is true for TV, print publishers and the bigger teams and websites, among others.
GW's personal opinions
may or may not be reflected in everything he writes. But he’s paid to deliver photos for Astana’s site as well as to write about the team. He is not an independent commentator and is expected to promote the “product,” just as in any business environment.
“Favoritism” applies to Sporza with regard to Boonen but GW’s Astana/Lance coverage would be expected to go beyond that because he is paid by the team. GW has also collaborated directly with Lance…
Thanks for your insight Pete-CF
It’s great that you’ve signed up here to post and I am looking forward to hearing your point of view when you have the time to contribute. I’m hoping you see through our snark as easily as you understood Graham Watson’s motives for writing that piece. And I think I may be speaking for a lot of us when I say that we we welcome all and especially those who might be able to help us understand more about the goings on in the Pro peloton.
Cyclovia: Bogota www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/
Ha!
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
Thanks
Hey, everyone has a role to play and someone has to provide the snark.
GW is in a unique position and he is wise to take advantage of it; it won’t last forever.
welcome
I don’t think my comment was snark at all.
there is a very seriously a difference between being enthusiastic and even slightly biased about one’s fav team …. versus just making stuff up.
Whether one is paid or not, silly stuff like the article above has a cost to the writer’s reputation.
But he takes great photos …..
Moo
Was just responding
generally. Didn’t mean to imply anyone’s comment in particular was snarky.
I don’t think of GW as a writer in a journalistic sense. He’s not Sam Abt and Sam would never write an article like that.
I’m willing to bet that the vast majority of Lance and Astana fans love reading articles like that. I don’t see anything wrong with that, fans have different opinions and that’s great. Which brings us back to the original point that GW is just doing what he’s paid to do. If his reputation as a “writer,” such as it is, suffers in the eyes of some, I doubt he much really cares.
He does indeed take great photos!
As a general observation, I’d say that most cycling photographers that have covered Lance a great deal in Europe have always had a good relationship with him, including photogs for both A.S.O. and L’Equipe.
Pete, are you the person who tweets for CF? Or is that a secret? ;-)
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
Just wondered...nice to know who the person behind the name is sometimes!
You’ve tweeted me a few times about cheesy 6 day music and the like ;-)
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
Ha
Stand up!…for the champions, for the champions, stand up!
I’m sure we can count on some “ABBA” for the Six Days too. :-)
Plans for a new Paris-area velodrome were recently unveiled. Was to have been location for 2012 Olympics track cycling events; they are going ahead with it anyway.
Aaaargh, now I'll have that going round in my head all day!
I’m also very fond of the one that goes ‘dingalingaling’. You know the one I mean? Haha. And ABBA is ALL good ;-) The mid evening entertainment at Rotterdam last year was HILARIOUS. Can’t wait. No Amsterdam coverage anywhere?
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
Nikki tweeted
the dingalingaling song. I can do without that one!
I’m told no live Amsterdam coverage. We should be able to count on Rotterdam though. 2010 is going to be a good year for Rotterdam. Maybe they’ll play “Stand up!” at the TDF teams presentation next July!
Oh well. We are all very much looking forward to Rotterdam though, oh yes!
Perhaps we should write to them and urge them to use “Stand up!” This is an opportunity not to be missed…. ;-)
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
Lance Armstrong and Johan Bruyneel aren't the entire team
that quote ignores AC, who shockingly enough is also on the team, and his ability to ignore the feud during the race. If he were to actually be writing for the good of the team he would mention both sides, instead he just mentions LA and JB, because that’s whom he really wants to impress. Also, national announcers in the US are extremely biased as well, you just have to listen closely :)
Dammit Elk! I don't care if it's your mating season, you are disturbing my peaceful sleep! Just STFU!
The quote
is taken out of its context. If you read the entire article, I don’t see how anyone can conclude that GW ignores Contador. He calls him the best cyclist in the world and the article is very much about the team.
But yeah, obviously GW knows where his bread and butter are. And as you know, virtually the entire team is following Armstrong to RadioShack. Even Zubeldia wanted to go but he’s staying at Astana.
The whole AC vs. LA thing has taken on a life of its own. We knew all year long there were going to be issues re: leadership at Astana. That AC would be isolated within his own team at the TDF was predictable. Two guys, both past TDF winners, thought they should be The Man. One was stronger on the road. The other had stronger loyalties from the team. In a sport largely about marketing, one is significantly more marketable than the other. The best rider won and next year the top guys from 2009 will ride on separate teams. You couldn’t script it any better.
Well I meant more in the context of the qoute, about the team division
in that case he makes it seem as if it was all LA and JB behaving properly and fully supporting AC, when in reality AC probably handled it the best and was the most mature about it. That may be debatlbe but I just found Watson should have said something like “and the maturity of both Armstrong and Contador” or something to that extent. Calling the guy who won the Tour by 5 minutes and rides for your team the best rider in the world is just common sense.
Dammit Elk! I don't care if it's your mating season, you are disturbing my peaceful sleep! Just STFU!
Who knows
what all went on in the Astana camp during the Tour. L’Equipe easily had the most detailed coverage from day one and I tweeted updates about their coverage on a near-daily basis during the entire TDF. At the end of the race, several sources had articles seemingly constructed from all of L’Equipe’s info on the supposed happenings. I don’t think they credited L’Equipe or mentioned any sources. And if L’Equipe embellished anything, then of course it all takes on a life of its own even more…
Since L’Equipe isn’t going to be invited in team meetings and hotel rooms, they send their more junior journalists to “hang out” tracking LA, AC, etc. at stage finishes, in hotel lobbies, at restaurants, on rest days… They would have been instructed from day one to look for any sign of dissent on the team, for any kind of scoop. They monitor LA’s twitter feed and report on that. It’s a long way from the days where their predecessors could hang out in a bar talking with TDF stars. (Allegations that current L’Equipe journalists used “pot belge” with riders 10 years ago is another story!)
After the TDF, it seemed some people were practically blaming Armstrong for the wind on Ventoux grounding helicopters, meaning the yellow jersey (Contador) who would normally get a helicopter ride off the mountain had to descend by car along with everyone else.
Of course, it had already long since been clear that Contador was entertaining offers from other teams for 2010 on and Lance et al would be forming a new team of their own. In other words, it was already a team that was literally coming apart at the seams and I think the reports about what supposedly went on during the TDF should be considered in that context.
Some people vilified Contador which was ridiculous. I think his great confidence and belief he was The Man rubbed some people the wrong way. The Armstrong camp no doubt saw it as a lack of respect. Contador just came to win a bike race.
It will be interesting to watch Contador over the next few years. He has a target on his back, in more ways than one, and you can’t tell much about a man when he’s winning.
Given the dissension going on around him
I think you could tell a lot about Bert when he was winning: nerves of steel that boy. ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Indeed AC
answered the question of whether he could handle the pressure and attention from being the favorite.
Thanks for the answers Pete
interesting to know about all the inside stuff, and as you say, next year they are on separate teams and hopefully the drama will be more centered on the road then off it. Btw, quick question, do you know if the Giro route presentation will be streamed live on Saturday?
Dammit Elk! I don't care if it's your mating season, you are disturbing my peaceful sleep! Just STFU!
Giro
route presentation will be on Rai tv at 16:45 CET Saturday. (10:45am U.S. Eastern) I’m sure it’ll be streaming somewhere; will post info tomorrow and then links Saturday morning Europe time.
You just might be
about the only person who cares about CET vs. CEST. Do you get a commission or something every time you make an issue of this? ;-)
It was Armstrong's fault!!! He's a bag of hot air with a gaping hole (enough said).
Of course, it had already long since been clear that Contador was entertaining offers from other teams for 2010 on and Lance et al would be forming a new team of their own. In other words, it was already a team that was literally coming apart at the seams and I think the reports about what supposedly went on during the TDF should be considered in that context.
If this is true then what does it say about the maturity of the person who announces his new team while his current team is trying to win the biggest race of the year.
Cyclovia: Bogota www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/
The TDF
is the best time for teams and riders to talk about next season, the reason being that everyone is there….for 3 weeks. Armstrong approached and inquired about quite a few riders for RadioShack. And by announcing during the Tour, they got maximum media exposure.
In other words, lots of business gets done in July during the race. Again, Contador was talking with teams too.
Of course Contador was shopping around for his own survival.
Not only was his own team trying to marginalize him, with Lance’s EGO being the only perceptible reason. Astana had difficulty meeting their obligations regarding their payroll and jeopardized the teams ability to compete in the Tour in the first place. Alberto was looking to cover his ass where he knew if Astana were to crumble there was no one there committed to cover his ass like there was people looking out for Lance.
Cyclovia: Bogota www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/
Actually
the best thing that could happen to Alberto would be for Astana to crumble. Then he’d be free from Astana contractual obligations for 2010 which is what he wants.
That said, if the crumbling were to be drawn out awhile longer, Alberto’s options for next year become reduced. But the latest indications are that things are falling into place at Astana.
I nominate Graham Watson for
Shill of the year.
I mean uh... hasn't that ever occurred to you, man? Sir?
What, like a hair shirt?
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
Fuck that
There are enough people here deserving of it. And it’s very soft wool btw.
I mean uh... hasn't that ever occurred to you, man? Sir?
+1 I've been experimenting with 'beccowool-sweaters
but I can’t get them as soft as the PdC jerseys.
Albinobecco! Don't Wiccans have special ceremonies involving albino . . . .
Or was that, one taste and you’ll be a believer too! I get so confused.
Cyclovia: Bogota www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/
What's the technical term for Seahorse disease?
I now my doctor’s going to ask me when I tell him that I forgot to use the reply button.
Cyclovia: Bogota www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/
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