LeKing

(grahamwatson.com)

simple fact, Greg Lemond, during his "reign" had to contend and supersede a great generation of cyclists. During his time, numerous riders had significant impacts on racing, both in stage races and in single-day classics. I'm thinking of "Larry" Fignon. He won 2 Tours (83,84), but also a Giro (89), and don't forget that he won 2 Milan-SanRemo (88,89), now a bastion of the 'Ale-Jet'-style sprinter. Next we have Stephan Roche. He is mostly known for his magical 87 year when he won the Giro, Tour and Worlds in the same year. He was quite good, but it certainly helped to have an injured Lemond and Fignon. Next is 'Perico' Delgado. He is most famous for sort of failing a drug test during the 88 Tour (probenicide- a masking agent). He also won 2 Vuelta de Espana (85,89). Finally, during the '80s, we have the real reign of Sean Kelly. He won too much to list, but it's certain that he not only won many classics and SuperPernod trophies, but more importantly was an excellent stage racer, with 7 or so Paris-Nice to his credit and a Vuelta from 88 or so.

Who, in reality, did Lance race against? Mr. Michelin- Bibendum- Jan Ulrich, the most wasted talent of all time! ? Basso's great yrs have coincided with a declining and older Armstrong. Who else? Zulle was in decline when Lance came aboard. Ivan Mayo? He may be the one great loss of this generation, but climbers are like that, aren't they? Vino may be the greatest allrounder of this generation, with tours and classics in his palmares. i've followed Lance very closely, since he was a "phat" amateur @ the Tour duPont, but his competition doesn't inspire. He will go down as LANCE, but Greg the World will always stick w/me as the true champion, and a champion eau'claire at that.