Pantani vs Armstrong

[Vo2]

I see that il'Pirata has sparked his feud with Lance again. Pantani allegedly said that LA is 'nothing special' and that he is looking forward to his battle with Lance in the TdF later this year.
I really hope that Pantani is in awesome form this year, and that he can keep his mouth shut and concentrate on his cycling, so that we can see a good battle between himself, LA and the winner Ullrich...

 

[Guest]

I do not think so vo2. from what iv heard he has no really good team mates and the ones he does have are better than him : and he holds them up.

lance and ulrich have experience and results and pantani i think is an old fogie who has passed his used by date and can only talk 8) 8) 8) (no offence meant for older ppl )

 

[Guest]

I dont think Patani is in the same league as Ullrich or Amstrong. Jan & Lance is consistent in all the major tours and that put them above the rest. Pantani is a good climber, but maybe his personal issues is his biggest enemy. He's arrogant and to try to intimidate his rivals with the mounth instead of his bicycle. He will not future in this years TDF and I would be surprise if he will get a Top Ten overall place.
The man to watch this year is ANDREI KIVILEV with Joseba Beloki as the dark horse.

 

[Guest]

Don't forget Oscar "Babayface" Sevilla. He could make it to the podium.

 

[Vo2]

Yep, Sevilla is a star of the future.

 

[Guest]

Just needs a bit of work on his time trialling though.

 

[Guest]

Pantani would kick both their butts from the bottom of a climb to the top.....no question about that. But i doubt he'll be in yellow at the end of the TDF

 

[Guest]

found some funny pics

so is he a doper? or what does anyone know?

 

[Guest]

course he's a dope head man.....how else can he rider faster uphill than we ride down? : hehe how do you think he lost his hair? duh! LOL ;D

 

[Guest]

I can remember the EPO episode . I guess that Lance, for that matter no "clean" cyclist, stand a change againgst a top cyclist using dope (especially EPO). Sorry Admin, but Pantani dont deserve any praise.(if this is the right word). I'll rather support a "clean" rider who finished last in a race.

 

[Guest]

Sorry Admin, but Pantani dont deserve any praise.(if this is the right word). I'll rather support a "clean" rider who finished last in a race.

i totally agree with you.....tho in my opinion he did add allot of interest to the tdf when he was wining and riding well....say from 94-98
I couldnt care less about him now, but the fact remains, neither lance nor jan could climb like pantani did ;D

Allot of the great climbers have been done for drugs, it’s a pitty because its the most spectacular part of bike racing IMO.

 

[Vo2]

I'm a huge Pantani fan.

 

[Guest]

do you think he will be in this years tdf?

 

[Vo2]

Yep, if his team gets an entry.

 

[Guest]

Wondering how he will perform without the dope. Can put my head on a block, he'll be first on the testing list.

 

[EPO]

For those who have read LA's book (i'ts not about the bike) will know what I mean when I say that Lance have a huge advantage above the field mentally. All riders at that level is equal physically wise but there is a lot of difference mentally.

Lance wants 6 consecutive wins before he retire and he will most likely get it. Last year he mentioned not being in trouble even once during the TdF. Even if Ulrich gets better he will probably match the LA of last year and LA said he feels stronger now than ever.

LA is in another league. Appreciate him, as people like him only comes around once or maybe twice in a lifetime. Remember, LA has one of the best teams to support him. 8)

Good luck for the other TdF cyclists, they have to wait three more years before the top podium position wil change.

 

[Eldron]

Yeah - I've read LA's book. Certainly an incrediable man and Tour de France rider - most definitely NOT a cyclist though.

I liked the pre cancer Armstrong - hammering the classics, bashing the worlds, winning at the Tour.

Now that he pulls his bike out once a year I've lost respect for him - he's an awesome athlete (both physically and mentally) but just another Chris Boardman IMO. Too specialised to be considered as one of cycling's greats.

Right - let me have it!

PS: Go Ullrich.... ;D

 

[Vo2]

Agreed! LA is as tough as they get, but he has devoted his life to the TdF (which is what he wants).
Alot of the teams, I feel, are only in the Tour to complete it. Most of them have already conceded the victory to either LA or JU. When the Posties or DT lead the peleton, no other team will really challenge that, because they don't really have any rider that can challenge LA or JU. They just sit pretty and hope that the top teams don't break away and cause too much pain, ultimately resulting in an elimination because of the deficit.
As much as I respect LA's awesome ability and attitude, I would love to see Ullrich take it, and Pantani make LA work on the climbs. Question is: are they tough enough to break Armstrong over 3 weeks?

 

[Guest]

I liked the pre cancer Armstrong - hammering the classics, bashing the worlds, winning at the Tour.

Now that he pulls his bike out once a year I've lost respect for him - he's an awesome athlete (both physically and mentally) but just another Chris Boardman IMO.

PS: Go Ullrich.... ;D

Lance would be closer to Indurain than boardman IMO, I think Ullrich is a more boring rider than Lance  ;D

When someone mentions exciting riders, the names that spring to mind are Jackie Durand and Pantani NOT Ullrich yuk

 

[Guest]

yeh i do think that the tdf gets boring in the last week because lance was clearly ahead and was not challenged. I think ulrichs team mates cannot climb though so that does not help. i hope the tdf is closer this year. hopefully Ulrich, Joseba and Seville step up to challeng. Ulrich needs to be more confident