Comments on: The Tailwind Backstab, Tour of Germany http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/ Pro Cycling News, Commentary and Special Features Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:50:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Sebastian http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2350 Sebastian Sat, 11 Aug 2007 23:23:09 +0000 http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2350 "Contador Avows Innocence, Seeks New Team, Urges Public not to Put Two and Two Together" Seriously, can we please all start feeling bad about that Simeoni incident? I know there was a lot of "Lance is the best, deal with it" from our side of the pond after that stage, but as the years pass it's just looking shadier and shadier. Why did a guy who spent half his time fighting doping gossip from L'Equipe feel the need to do something like that? Exactly how did he expect us to read it? (And how does he expect us to read those Bernard Hinault highway-cop aviators?) “Contador Avows Innocence, Seeks New Team, Urges Public not to Put Two and Two Together”

Seriously, can we please all start feeling bad about that Simeoni incident? I know there was a lot of “Lance is the best, deal with it” from our side of the pond after that stage, but as the years pass it’s just looking shadier and shadier. Why did a guy who spent half his time fighting doping gossip from L’Equipe feel the need to do something like that? Exactly how did he expect us to read it? (And how does he expect us to read those Bernard Hinault highway-cop aviators?)

]]> By: Kevin http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2351 Kevin Sat, 11 Aug 2007 23:30:50 +0000 http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2351 Bravo, well written and very well thought out. I would love to know the real reasons for Discovery closing up shop at the end of this season... Bravo, well written and very well thought out. I would love to know the real reasons for Discovery closing up shop at the end of this season…

]]> By: Freddy http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2352 Freddy Sun, 12 Aug 2007 01:44:38 +0000 http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2352 "I find myself further hoping that you'll relapse" is a little beyond the pale, don't you think? “I find myself further hoping that you’ll relapse” is a little beyond the pale, don’t you think?

]]> By: Frank http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2353 Frank Sun, 12 Aug 2007 02:48:50 +0000 http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2353 One rumor bouncing around is that Tailwind is going to make a move on ASO in some way, and so they are divesting themselves of the team so that there would be no conflict of interest. One rumor bouncing around is that Tailwind is going to make a move on ASO in some way, and so they are divesting themselves of the team so that there would be no conflict of interest.

]]> By: cosmo http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2356 cosmo Sun, 12 Aug 2007 06:36:54 +0000 http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2356 Yeah, I definitely went a bit <i>ex palo</i> on that cancer comment. I was in a bad mood, though it's still no excuse. I'd be amazed if the Tailwind boys could buy into/buy out ASO. I'd always figured there wasn't money enough in the world for Yankees to crack an old world oligarchy (we've all seen Godfather III, right?), but if Weisel Partners could succeed, I'd admire their pluck, if not their methods. Yeah, I definitely went a bit ex palo on that cancer comment. I was in a bad mood, though it’s still no excuse.

I’d be amazed if the Tailwind boys could buy into/buy out ASO. I’d always figured there wasn’t money enough in the world for Yankees to crack an old world oligarchy (we’ve all seen Godfather III, right?), but if Weisel Partners could succeed, I’d admire their pluck, if not their methods.

]]> By: Sebastian http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2364 Sebastian Sun, 12 Aug 2007 15:16:15 +0000 http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2364 Since the topic has arisen: what exactly is Armstrong's beef with ASO? I always thought it was just bad blood (re: LeBlanc's comments at the 2006 course presentation, etc.), but is there something more substantial here? Since the topic has arisen: what exactly is Armstrong’s beef with ASO? I always thought it was just bad blood (re: LeBlanc’s comments at the 2006 course presentation, etc.), but is there something more substantial here?

]]> By: Cycling Beat » Reacting to the End of Discovery Channel http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2378 Cycling Beat » Reacting to the End of Discovery Channel Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:31:02 +0000 http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2378 [...] of my favourite blogs where you can rely on opeinions being fired straight down the line. Titled The Tailwind Backstab we can see right from the off that the tone of the article is one of animosity…to say the [...] […] of my favourite blogs where you can rely on opeinions being fired straight down the line. Titled The Tailwind Backstab we can see right from the off that the tone of the article is one of animosity…to say the […]

]]> By: solobreak http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2379 solobreak Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:22:24 +0000 http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2379 I suspect they really couldn't find a sponsor, at least not one outside the pharmaceutical business, which wouldn't look too good. They probably plan to get back in at some point and don't want to devalue their franchise by appearing desperate. The opportunity to do some damage to the ASO and the other enemies of Tailwind was an added side-benefit of pulling out. The disregard for the employees doesn't seem like anything new for this group. I guess time will tell. Keep it coming Cosmo; you're making it fun. I suspect they really couldn’t find a sponsor, at least not one outside the pharmaceutical business, which wouldn’t look too good. They probably plan to get back in at some point and don’t want to devalue their franchise by appearing desperate. The opportunity to do some damage to the ASO and the other enemies of Tailwind was an added side-benefit of pulling out. The disregard for the employees doesn’t seem like anything new for this group. I guess time will tell. Keep it coming Cosmo; you’re making it fun.

]]> By: Davide http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2384 Davide Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:36:51 +0000 http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2384 Best blog in a while Cosmo. LA is a disgrace for the way he acted re Simeoni. "Defending the interests of the pelaton"...from what? Simeoni blowing the whistle on your TdF victories? Best blog in a while Cosmo.

LA is a disgrace for the way he acted re Simeoni. “Defending the interests of the pelaton”…from what? Simeoni blowing the whistle on your TdF victories?

]]> By: Grant http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2388 Grant Tue, 14 Aug 2007 02:24:53 +0000 http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2388 WOW.. That is pretty pathetic! I dont know what what is wrong with you! Anyone that BS trying to sound like you are informed of something the rest of us are not.wishes anyone would relapse from from cancer is a sick ass#*!$. I can understand that you might be unhappy with all that has transpired in cycling lately. You obviously dont know the personal reason that Armstrong went after Simeoni and we will probably never know. But all you do is fill your blog with innuendo and BS trying to act all tough like you have some inside info that we dont have. If you have some proof of whta has been happening with the situation let it out so the rest of the world can join in. If you dont like the guy or the team that is fine we all have our own opinions and you know what they say about those. As this is mine I am sure you wont agree with what I have said. But to wish someone would get sick with cancer, no matter what your opinions of them are is just wrong. I hope you or no one you know ever has to fight that terrible disease! WOW.. That is pretty pathetic! I dont know what what is wrong with you! Anyone that BS trying to sound like you are informed of something the rest of us are not.wishes anyone would relapse from from cancer is a sick ass#*!$.

I can understand that you might be unhappy with all that has transpired in cycling lately. You obviously dont know the personal reason that Armstrong went after Simeoni and we will probably never know. But all you do is fill your blog with innuendo and BS trying to act all tough like you have some inside info that we dont have. If you have some proof of whta has been happening with the situation let it out so the rest of the world can join in.

If you dont like the guy or the team that is fine we all have our own opinions and you know what they say about those. As this is mine I am sure you wont agree with what I have said.

But to wish someone would get sick with cancer, no matter what your opinions of them are is just wrong. I hope you or no one you know ever has to fight that terrible disease!

]]> By: Chris http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2451 Chris Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:50:31 +0000 http://cyclocosm.com/2007/08/the-tailwind-backstab-tour-of-germany/#comment-2451 Everybody knows why Armstrong went after Simeoni. Simeoni exposed Michele Ferrari (LA's doctor) in court and admitted that Ferrari had given him EPO and HGH. (He was subsequently suspended from cycling.) Armstrong used the peloton to make sure Simeoni wouldn't win the stage in the 2004 Tour and more importantly for him not to break the code of silence regarding PEDs. The Italian authorities even threatened to bring charges of witness intimidation against Armstrong. Afterwards, Armstrong made a smug "zip-the-lips" gesture and later said that Simeoni "did not deserve" to win a stage. Armstrong, Bruyneel, Riis, etc. are part of the old guard that just needs to go away. Everybody knows why Armstrong went after Simeoni. Simeoni exposed Michele Ferrari (LA’s doctor) in court and admitted that Ferrari had given him EPO and HGH. (He was subsequently suspended from cycling.) Armstrong used the peloton to make sure Simeoni wouldn’t win the stage in the 2004 Tour and more importantly for him not to break the code of silence regarding PEDs. The Italian authorities even threatened to bring charges of witness intimidation against Armstrong. Afterwards, Armstrong made a smug “zip-the-lips” gesture and later said that Simeoni “did not deserve” to win a stage. Armstrong, Bruyneel, Riis, etc. are part of the old guard that just needs to go away.

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