I thought of something after the fact of Flyer's dismissal that I wish he would answer - and for whoever has had any kind of dialogue with him, please reply.
Does Flyer hope Armstrong is dirty? I mean, he has his facts to form his opinion, but at the end of all of that, does Flyer condemn Armstrong to a level where he would want Armstrong to prove to be dirty?
I feel like there are two sides to this: wishing Armstrong is a doper brings the sport back to "our level" somehow - it takes the pro levels out of any reasonable realm of comparison. For example, in bodybuilding, 360 lb guys have 4% bodyfat and can't walk a flight of stairs - all the while denying drug use. The highest level of bodybuilding seems clearly unattainable without steroid use. Clean lifters dismiss the dopers because the difference is extreme and obvious. Also, for cycling, and arguably (but not convincingly IMO), hoping for the demise of Armstrong's credibility might bring about an intensive change in drug testing.
On the other hand, and this is where I stand absolutely, wishing for Armstrong's disgrace would deflate one of the greatest sports stories in our history. Undoubtedly, it would crush the hopes of the many people who see him as a model of inspiration and strength.
Personally, I've always taken a simple approach - I don't think anyone who's ever been inspired to ride a road bike can watch Armstrong and not feel the passion of riding. The images are priceless and motivating. I haven't been in cycling for too long, but you simply can't watch Armstrong ride and not feel his fire translate to your own brand of riding ... you just can't ...
Does Flyer hope Armstrong is dirty? I mean, he has his facts to form his opinion, but at the end of all of that, does Flyer condemn Armstrong to a level where he would want Armstrong to prove to be dirty?
I feel like there are two sides to this: wishing Armstrong is a doper brings the sport back to "our level" somehow - it takes the pro levels out of any reasonable realm of comparison. For example, in bodybuilding, 360 lb guys have 4% bodyfat and can't walk a flight of stairs - all the while denying drug use. The highest level of bodybuilding seems clearly unattainable without steroid use. Clean lifters dismiss the dopers because the difference is extreme and obvious. Also, for cycling, and arguably (but not convincingly IMO), hoping for the demise of Armstrong's credibility might bring about an intensive change in drug testing.
On the other hand, and this is where I stand absolutely, wishing for Armstrong's disgrace would deflate one of the greatest sports stories in our history. Undoubtedly, it would crush the hopes of the many people who see him as a model of inspiration and strength.
Personally, I've always taken a simple approach - I don't think anyone who's ever been inspired to ride a road bike can watch Armstrong and not feel the passion of riding. The images are priceless and motivating. I haven't been in cycling for too long, but you simply can't watch Armstrong ride and not feel his fire translate to your own brand of riding ... you just can't ...