Lance Update on Rest Day

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by raywelch on May 18, 2009 at 2:07 PM

Great vid. Your comments and ideas are intelligently expressed.

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by OMA1955 on May 18, 2009 at 2:09 PM

Nice talk.
It should be about people, not profit.

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by sarasotasun on May 18, 2009 at 2:15 PM

Thanks for your leadership ... dangerous conditions must be neutralized.'

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by theswordsman on May 18, 2009 at 2:20 PM

So, it's six weeks to the Tour de France. Shouldn't someone in cycling take it upon themselves to at least drive the entire course, preferably on a moto that has to slow down for switchbacks, in advance to identify potential problems while there's still time to make adjustments?
Pez Cycling News went out and rode the last climb on Giro stage 10 and said the 10% descent will be dangerous at race speeds. It shouldn't be up to journalists to come up with that sort of information.

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by cslipp on May 18, 2009 at 2:23 PM

It's pretty easy when you're putting together an itinerary for someone ELSE - and NOT for yourself - to overlook things which could otherwise prove to be hardships, even dangerous ones. The bunch does need a voice, Lance...

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by Durishin on May 18, 2009 at 2:24 PM

Very, very, very well summed up. Good on you, Lance.

Be well.

Dick

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by kkbrown52 on May 18, 2009 at 2:29 PM

Thanks Lance for the inside "scoop". I was releaved and proud of the riders standing up for their sport. BTW..the longer hair looks good. Take care and be careful.

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by kkbrown52 on May 18, 2009 at 2:29 PM

Thanks Lance for the inside "scoop". I was releaved and proud of the riders standing up for their sport. BTW..the longer hair looks good. Take care and be careful.

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by ScottyG1962 on May 18, 2009 at 2:42 PM

P.R.O.S. (Professional Riders Organizational Society) would be a good name for your group!
-Scott

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by brandykill on May 18, 2009 at 2:44 PM

That couch clashes with your sunburn! Ha Ha!
Ride safe & Ride Fast,
Brandy

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by taichi_ka on May 18, 2009 at 2:57 PM

I did not realize that there is no organizational or representing body for the riders in any race of this magnitude. That's long overdue. The representing body should be made up of professional riders from different parts of the world and should operate with transparency.

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by vanmanjumps on May 18, 2009 at 3:08 PM

Hey Lance...love the videos! What great views for us regular fold into the lives of cyclists. It's a great thing your doing both for cycling and for cancer awareness - and selfishly I just love following you and your cycling once again! Keep kicking tail and spreading the message!

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by sportsorama on May 18, 2009 at 3:40 PM

Hi Lance, Good to see you back in the saddle. My family, my grandfather who happens to be the oldest Tour de France winner and myself, are all big fans of you. It wasn't the same without you the last couple of years! I think you coming back is the best thing that could have happened to cycling - on so many levels. Standing up for your fellow cyclist and yourself shows personality. I like your ideas, and hopefully some will put does ideas into reality to make cycling a saver sport. Thank you and good luck tomorrow, Mark Kübler (Switzerland)

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by sportsorama on May 18, 2009 at 3:40 PM

Hi Lance, Good to see you back in the saddle. My family, my grandfather who happens to be the oldest Tour de France winner and myself, are all big fans of you. It wasn't the same without you the last couple of years! I think you coming back is the best thing that could have happened to cycling - on so many levels. Standing up for your fellow cyclist and yourself shows personality. I like your ideas, and hopefully some will put does ideas into reality to make cycling a saver sport. Thank you and good luck tomorrow, Mark Kübler (Switzerland)

+1

by sportsorama on May 18, 2009 at 3:40 PM

Hi Lance, Good to see you back in the saddle. My family, my grandfather who happens to be the oldest Tour de France winner and myself, are all big fans of you. It wasn't the same without you the last couple of years! I think you coming back is the best thing that could have happened to cycling - on so many levels. Standing up for your fellow cyclist and yourself shows personality. I like your ideas, and hopefully some will put does ideas into reality to make cycling a saver sport. Thank you and good luck tomorrow, Mark Kübler (Switzerland)

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by whimdee1 on May 18, 2009 at 3:51 PM

Thanks for the info. I too did not realize that there was no governing body looking out for the riders well-being. I was appalled to see cars parked on the route. UNREAL!! I agree with the groups unity, except for those few turncoats. I am glad that you are back. Go attack those MOUNTAINS!!

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by kalibri on May 18, 2009 at 4:43 PM

HI,LANCE!I Like I Think You Very nice person .Very strong,But very soft in same time. But I want Your eyes to be shining! YOU need Someone Cooll for sure,because You Cool,but not just a cooll,but someone very Warm!If You Dont have the Love ,your eyes never will shine, and if you don't have the Love,It does'nt matter much,what else You have.Taya(Swiss)Good luck Boy!!!

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by kalibri on May 18, 2009 at 4:47 PM

HI,LANCE!I Like I Think You Very nice person .Very strong,But very soft in same time. But I want Your eyes to be shining! YOU need Someone Cooll for sure,because You Cool,but not just a cooll,but someone very Warm!If You Dont have the Love ,your eyes never will shine, and if you don't have the Love,It does'nt matter much,what else You have.Taya(Swiss)Good luck Boy!!! I AM SURE YOU NEVER WILL READ IT BUT I JUST WRITE what FEEL,MAY BE

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by glennrobinson68 on May 18, 2009 at 5:03 PM

I am surprised that Organizers of the Giro would overlook such overts dangers that Lance refers to. Im curious to know who maps out the routes in advance and what the rationale is for those choices. You would assume they would be going out of their way to ensure safety at all costs. Guys are generating 70-80kph on the flats!

Perhaps it be made mandatory that this 'group' representing all riders (UPC - Union of Pro Cyclists) have a designate ride the course before its raced. Always check the UPC code.

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by KurtSmith on May 18, 2009 at 5:25 PM

There is a pic on yahoo cycling that clearly shows the tram tracks running parallel to the course. No way do i race a crit with that situation. Hell, I won't even do one that has a u-turn.

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by KurtSmith on May 18, 2009 at 5:25 PM

There is a pic on yahoo cycling that clearly shows the tram tracks running parallel to the course. No way do i race a crit with that situation. Hell, I won't even do one that has a u-turn.

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by dconidi on May 18, 2009 at 7:42 PM

Dear Lance,

You really said it like it is. I really agree with what you are saying 100%. You are the one that has what it takes to make this happen. You have to help this process of development of the organization for the betterment of the sport that we love.

Dan Conidi

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by KatyMullen on May 18, 2009 at 8:13 PM

Like any employee group, you need a governing body. Somebody that looks out for your interests as professional athletes. As such, you represent an amazing amount of time and money...you need to have a union to look out for your personal and professional interests as a whole employee base...because it seemed as though nobody wanted to question the stage route and conditions on May 17th...somebody needs to be able to question it before it happens, or be able to undo it after it occurs...it's time for a governing pro-cyclist union...

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by Dave_Douglas on May 18, 2009 at 9:50 PM

Thanks for the Video journal and i didn't mind it being a long Video. It helps us we as average bike riders and fans know what you and your Professional Cyclist go though in on a bike race such as the Giro. Sounds like a great idea Lance you and your friends that you race deserve to be Safe at what you do. Wow and thank God they found that guy who went off that cliff glad to here he is doing well. Thanks again Lance keep the Video's coming long or short don't matter. :)
your friend Dave

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by ERIOPEL on May 19, 2009 at 12:06 AM

Hi Lance. Thanks for taking the time in finding a possible solution for an on going problem that should haven been dealt by all organizers of any cycling events a long time ago. It's an unfortunate situation that one rider has to get hurt badly before the process of finding a solution started. I'm proud of you and the rest of the riders for voicing your concern about this situation. I definitely agree that there should be an association, or organization, or a body for riders that can represent you all at the bargaining table, as to any concerns about issues that have major impact to your profession, especially your safety on the road.

I love watching cycling races, even take hundreds of pictures of them. I appreciate the organizers/sponsors/volunteers for putting these exciting events, but I don't feel good knowing that these riders have to race/compete in an unsafe situation. I don't know what kind of waiver (for liability purposes) has the riders have to sign before entering the Giro, but even though the riders waived their rights to sue the organizer and related parties for any injuries/damages that they might encounter during the race, and let their own team covers their own liability. But each team representative can do something before signing up these riders, and before the race started. Why can't each team makes the dealing for their riders with the organizers, that there are certain rules to follow, before they sign up their riders to race. The organizer and the team representative (i.e. team manager) have to make an agreement that the race course is safe for the riders to race/compete, or else, signing these riders is not possible!

Good luck in today's stage 10. Be safe...ride fast...stay strong and have fun! Love you guys! :-)

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by ifingers on May 19, 2009 at 1:54 AM

Jackie Stewart once said, "I would have been a much more popular World Champion if I had always said what people wanted to hear. I might have been dead, but definitely more popular."

I think it takes incredible courage to stand up to the Status Quo, and tell people what they sometimes don't want to hear. I have only comparatively recently started following pro cycling but compared to my other favourite sport, F1, I would say that it is inherently more dangerous. F1 has become a lot safer over the years. When Jackie Stewart raced in F1 , the chances of an F1 driver who raced for five years being killed in a crash were two out of three. Thanks to Jackie and other courageous individuals it is a lot safer.

I agree a Pro Cyclists body is the way to move forward, it will never make cycling 100% safe, but hopefully stop some of the needless deaths and injuries. Lance, I reckon you would make an excellent leader of such a body.

Good luck in the Giro!

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by ddorsett on May 19, 2009 at 10:20 AM

Excellent over view of what was happening. I think anyone who cares about this sport and you riders who make this sport what it is should understand the necessity of having a voice. You are so right...until riders are empowered so many problematic issues will not change. I am enjoying the Giro very much but would never wish for you to ride if you felt it was too dangerous. Yes, cycling is dangerous...even I have 7 screws in my ankle from cycling and I wasn't racing, but there is a line. Only the riders know where that line is drawn. Thank you and Team Faded for a great Tour!

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by zosocane on May 19, 2009 at 11:56 AM

3:55 of the video -- Natural Born Leader. Thanks Lance for protecting the interests of the peloton.

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by LittleBigTank on May 20, 2009 at 9:20 AM

great video, very interesting and a good final statement... good luck.