The recent headlines being made in the cycling world have honestly not garnered a whole lot of attention at V-HQ, at least where a certain COTHO is concerned. Yes, The Keepers have added to the usual discussions on the topic here, read the news, and given it some thought. But we really don’t feel the need to take any sort of official position, recap the whole sordid mess, or offer up any ideas on how to move forward. Just as you all contribute positively to this place in ways we couldn’t possibly have envisioned when we started, the cycling community as a whole will contribute positively to our sport as we grow through this. COTHOS, governing bodies, PED’s, and corruption be damned. We’re here to live La Vie Velominatus.
That being said, we feel the need to retract LeMelvis from the Lexicon as a result of this whole mess. Perhaps the COTHO’s reach into public opinion went far enough to cloud our judgement of the greatest American cyclist and only American winner of the Tour. It went far enough that we thought it was okay, if not funny, to besmirch his more recent public image. We were wrong and for that we are sorry. Where has LeMond been in the recent tumult? Quiet, letting things speak for themselves. That’s class. The same class he showed when he turned up in Europe as a neo-pro to race with the best as a virtually solitary American. The same class he showed winning three Tours. The same class he showed in the above picture. Vive La Vie, Greg. You’re the man.
As point of clarification, Greg LeMan has maintained its honorary place in the Lexi. We might even put it in bold now.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@Marko That's now the plan, Marko... he's twelve, so has another few years before he's likely the right size. I'll build it up and get in a couple years of rides before turning over the keys to the saddle.
Cheers all! I was definitely in the "guess he's jealous" camp. I was wrong. Greatest American cyclist ever. LeMan is all class (even with his bloated, ill fitting jeans appearance at the beginning of a Spinervals video I have, just saying).
LeMond inspired me as a kid to get on the bike back in the 80's. The "other" guy made me put the bike down during the 90's and do drugs. Funny how things work out like they do.I'm back on the bike and LeMan ia the the Man! Vive the 80's! Vive LeMan! Le premier champion de l'Amérique!
How do I know if he wasn't doped, I am still confused by Armstrong I will be honest with you guys.. I am just going to ride my bike until I get interested by the protour.
Picked out Greg Lemond's Complete Book of Bicycling (1987) under a stack of Pharmstrong books at a used book sale on the weekend. Here are some quotes:
"...one thing that cycling has taught me is that if you can achieve something without a struggle it's not going to be satisfying."
"Most people should pick a racing bike."
"...the top of your stem should be about five to eight centimetres below the top of your seat."
Sounds rule compliant to me. LeMan!
Nice Marko. Well done. Sure he let himself go a bit, he "Eddied" up a bit in retirement. He was the King damn it. Porcelain monkeys, steak fried chicken.
This is better. The only American to win the Tour. That is good for Greg and the Tour.
LeMan!
Tip of the hat.... Greg was, is, and will always be the real deal.
Chapeau Frank !!
It takes class to offer a humble and heart-felt apology.
Hmmm... I'm going to have to crawl out from under my rock for this one, I reckon, and echo the sentiments of @Dino and @JFT. As a European and devoted francophile, I was saddened by the downfall of Laurent Fignon at the hands (legs) of Lemond in the final stage of the Tour of 89 - but I've always respected Lemond for being a strong, gutsy, attacking rider and, as far as I could tell, a very nice guy as well.
I must admit that I was somewhat baffled a few months ago, when I cast a quick glance at an (older) article on this site, featuring a photograph of Lemond in the company of a guy with a moustache of whom I'd never heard (Ted King, or something?) - and a few subsequent posts referring to 'LeMelvis' and poking fun at the way LeMond was, allegedly, looking like a devoted puppy in the presence of a genuine top dog. I'll happily apologize for knowing fuck-all about who is who in American cycling today, as well as for the fact that at the time, as a relative newbie to this site, I didn't have the guts to protest - but in my book, a cyclist like Greg Lemond was and is deserving of respect: the guy won three Tours de France, FFS. So what if he has gained weight in the meantime? So has Merckx, as some have pointed out here. Anyway: chapeau, Marko, and thanks for setting the record straight.