Formula 1: One more victory Schumi!

I still find it hard to believe what has happend the last three days...Sunday there was the news that Michael Schumacher was in hospital after an accident during a skiing trip with his family. Nothing too serious so nothing to worry about, we thought. Monday Schumi was in coma and fighting for his life and now he still is. We, as fans, can't stop thinking about him and hoping that he will be ok. But we have faith, Michael will get his 92th victory, his most important victory ever. And we are be right here to support him, as always.

Some people find it hard to believe, but this is a very emotional time for me. I've got two major sports heroes in my life, two men I really admire. Lance Armstrong, which is pretty clear if you see most articles on this blog, and Michael Schumacher. And I can't imagine life without the two of them. Schumacher is a fantastic driver but he's also a lot more to me. He has been an example for many young racers. Sebastian Vettel is probably the most famous example, but sure isn't the only example. So many young people saw Schumacher's victories when they grew up and wanted to race as well, like their hero. I supported Schumi for years, he might have been a Mercedes driver but he was still my favourite. That makes a strong connection and when something like this happens, it's as if it's about a family member or a very close friend. That's how strong that connection is.

This is a just a horrible situation and the irony is just unbelievable. 19 years he has been racing at over 300 km/h and he has never been seriously injured, and now he's fighting for his life after a skiing trip with his family. No, Schumi, you're not gonna leave us like this. Michael has fought and won his whole life and he will win this fight as well. This is the most important race in his life and he will win and get his 92th, and most important victory ever. My thoughts go to the whole Schumacher family and friends who are staying with him during these very difficult times. I hope they can find support with each other and know that millions of people all around the world are thinking of them and praying for a happy ending. I hope they know that they don't have to go through this alone.

At the end, there is nothing else we can do but keep faith, hope and stay positive. Schumi said a couple of years ago: "Your ups and downs in sports, I think they are as normal as daily life: One day you wake up and feel great, the next day you wake up and feel maybe less great." This is just a down, but there will be an up. Once again, Michael Schumacher will do what everybody thinks is impossible. This isn't the finish line. So get well soon and see you later Champion!

Catya Leroux

Your ups and downs in sports, I think they are as normal as daily life: One day you wake up and feel great, the next day you wake up and feel maybe less great.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/michael_schumacher_2.html#rf07pd8Z7kZ68hRg.99

If you do things to the limit, and don't purposely go over that limit, then I think it's fine to do whatever you want. So long as you enjoy it. That's what's important.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/michael_schumacher_2.html#rf07pd8Z7kZ68hRg.99

If you do things to the limit, and don't purposely go over that limit, then I think it's fine to do whatever you want. So long as you enjoy it. That's what's important.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/michael_schumacher_2.html#rf07pd8Z7kZ68hRg.99

If you do things to the limit, and don't purposely go over that limit, then I think it's fine to do whatever you want. So long as you enjoy it. That's what's important.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/michael_schumacher_2.html#rf07pd8Z7kZ68hRg.99

Cycling: Let's blame Lance Armstrong for everything!

The Lance Armstrong Saga: part 15.268 (Just kidding, I lost count as well!)

Ah, another day, another accusation against Lance Armstrong. Seems like everybody is thinking "well, he's down anyway, why not get him under the ground?". Today the charge comes from former UCI President Hein Verbruggen who has been accused of covering up a positive doping test of the American. He said Armstrong made his life "a misery" and he wants an apology. ( Seems as if he's thinking "if everyone is getting an apology from Armstrong, I want one as well!!" )

Lance Armstrong claimed last month that the UCI (and Verbruggen) helped him to cover up a doping test from the Tour in 1999. Verbruggen is now responding "It's a bullshit story and nothing else!" and he strongly denies the accusation. So, one of them is obviously lying, but who? Verbruggen of course uses the easy (and maybe logical) sentence in his defence, who still believes Lance Armstrong?! As if he's saying "Don't listen to a word Armstrong is saying, all he does is lying!". It's not the first time we have heard this line, and it probably won't be the last.

Fair enough, Armstrong lied about his doping history and after his confession  he lost a huge part of his reliability. But why would he lie about this? What's in it for him? Except maybe taking revenge at the UCI for not standing behind him. But what would he gain with that? Maybe Lance is lying, and are most people right to ignore him. But maybe, just maybe he's for once telling the truth and people don't care because they don't believe a word he's saying. I honestly don't know either! But it does strike me that the UCI is blaming Lance Armstrong for every single thing that goes wrong in cycling. Everything is Armstrong's fault; doping, sponsors who leave. "Just blame Lance" seems to be the solution to every problem. Maybe it's time the UCI takes their responsability for what has happend in the past because there is one thing I'm sure of, Lance Armstrong still has a lot of secrets, but so does the UCI. And by blaming Lance, they are trying to keep their own secrets safe. So keep an eye on what Armstrong is saying, cause I've got a feeling there is still a lot to come!

To be continued...

Catya Leroux

Cycling: Sorry seems to be the hardest word for Armstrong

Today Lance Armstrong apologized on Twitter after an (ex-)fan of him asked why he didn't apologize to him and to his other fans. So Lance did. He answered he is ashamed and embarrassed with what he did. Armstrong also added "Made plenty of mistakes along the way - all of which I am truly sorry." to his Twitter profile. But what does it change? And does he mean anything of the apology he gives us?

Lance has apologized to many of his old sponsors, his teammates, competitors and to the cycling sport in general. But I guess most people haven't accepted his apology, and why should they? Lance has lied to everybody for years and years and a simple sorry tweet won't change that. It's just a word, easy to typ, a lot harder to mean. Saying sorry seems to be one of the hardest  things for Lance, admitting he was wrong. Armstrong always believed that what he does and says is the right thing. And to then admit he was wrong, is hard for him.

I think on some topics Lance is right but people don't want to agree with him, just because it's Lance. He said in an interview with BBC "If everyone gets the death penalty, then I'll take the death penalty, If everyone gets a free pass, I'm happy to take a free pass. If everyone gets six months, then I'll take my six months."Just read that quote again, and try not to think about Lance Armstrong or about what he has done but just read the words. Doesn't it sound fair? That's what still bothers me about the whole Armstrong case, the only thing USADA wanted was to get Lance. If they would have wanted to clear the whole cycling sport and test all the older generations on doping, I wouldn't complain. But now everybody focused on one cyclist, and when he was down, there weren't any other investigations. What about Ullrich, Beloki and all the other cyclists? Why is there no investigation started on their past and why don't they have to give back their victories if they test positive? Why just Lance? That isn't fair either, but nobody seems to care what's fair for Lance... Most people think he gets what he deserves, and that's absolutely nothing..

Catya Leroux

F1: Felipe Massa, the true Ferrari teamplayer

Sunday in Interlagos, Felipe Massa will drive his last race for Ferrari. In his eight years with the Italian team there has been memorable moments, good memories but also memories that both Massa and the Ferrari fans wish didn't happen... Here is my personal overview of eight Felipe-Ferrari years in pictures.

1. Turkey 2006: The real begin of Massa's Formula One career. At the Istanbul Park Circuit Massa achieved his first pole position and on Sunday he took his first victory. The Brazilian won the race in Turkey three years in a row.

2. Brazil 2006: Felipe Massa wins his home Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit. Massa always named the race as his best moment in Formula 1. He grew up not far from the circuit and had been watching Ayrton Senna racing and winning at Interlagos, and now he was there, on the podium in front of his home crowd, the first Brazilian since Senna who won the race at Interlagos. A moment Felipe will never forget, that's for sure.

3. Singapore 2008: It was the first edition of the night race and it all went perfect for Massa. He took pole and after 14 laps he had a five second gap to Hamilton. But when after a crash of Piquet Jr the safety car came out and Massa came in for fuel and tyres, it all went wrong. After refuelling, Massa left with the fuel rig attached and had to stop at the end of the pitlane. The Ferrari mechanics ran the whole length of the pitlane and removed the rig, but Massa was now last. He was then given a drive-through penalty for an unsafe release, and was 15 seconds behind the rest of the field. He finished the race in 13th place.

4. Brazil 2008: Without doubt one of the hardest moments in Massa's career, for him, for the whole Ferrari team and for the fans. Never has Ferrari been that close to a championship and lost it in such a dramatic way. Felipe started on pole for the race that decided who won the worldchampionship, Hamilton folllowed in fourth position. Massa led the largest part of the race and won the race, while Hamilton was in sixth place, which meant Massa would be worldchampion. The Massa family already started the celebrations, Felipe was the new worldchampion! For 30 seconds... Hamilton got passed Timo Glock in the second-to-last corner of the last lap, finished fifth and won the worldchampionship by one point. Felipe was in tears in front of his home crowd and put his hand on his heart, thanking all his fans for their support. Formula One is pure emotion and Brazil 2008 is a perfect example of that.

5. Hungary 2009: Too bad, this Grand Prix will be the one people will remember of his Ferrari career. I remember the day as it was yesterday. I was switching between one of the final stages of the Tour de France and qualifying of the Hungarian Grand Prix. In the second part of qualifying, Felipe suddenly crashed at high speed. And it wasn't really clear what has happend. Nothing to serious I though. Well, I was wrong...

The replay showed that a piece of Rubens Barrichello's car hit Felipe right above his left eye. That piece was a 700 g spring that hit him at a speed of over 300 km/h. Felipe didn't get out his car and it became clear that it was a lot worse than it seemed at first. For the first time since I started watching Formula 1, I feared for the life of one of the drivers. I have never been that relieved to see a driver's thumb up! Massa was transported to the ÁEK hospital, but the following week he already travelled back home to Brazil. Felipe was doing well but getting back in a Formula One car? No way most people thought.. But Felipe was determined, he would drive again.

6. Bahrein 2010: FELIPE MASSA IS BACK! Eight months after the accident that almost costed him his life, Felipe returned to Formula One. And with a second place in qualifying and in the race it was a wonderful comback. It seemed as if Felipe was back and better than before. The rest of the season was a rollercoaster of ups and downs, one race Felipe was fighting for the podium, other races he was driving in the middle of the pack.

7. Germany 2010: Ah, Hockenheim 2010... That race has become unforgettable, for the wrong reason. I was a bit shocked when Felipe said some days ago that for him this race was the hardest race in his Ferrari career, harder that the crash that almost killed him. What more can I say, "Fernando is faster than you", five words that will probably haunt Felipe for the rest of his life. It's clear that it's one of the hardest things you can ask from your driver, to let his teammate pass. Felipe was mad and dissapointed in his team, but he was a true teamplayer. It hurted him more than anything in the world. But he still decided to stay with Ferrari for the next three years. Would he have won the race if he didn't have to let Fernando Alonso overtake him? We'll never know...

 I know Felipe isn't leaving the Formula One and he'll still be on the grid next year but it still is the end of an era. He will be missed for sure, he's a much better driver than most people think he is. And it's a shame he doesn't get the respect he deserves. But I hope one day he will and people won't just remember him from his crash and the Ferrari teamorder. Felipe, all the best to you and keep your head up because to many Ferrari fans you will always be the 2008 worldchampion!

Catya Leroux

F1: Why Vettel isn't the new Schumi

Now that he has won his fourth world championship, Vettel is now more than even compared with his countryman and 7-times worldchampion Michael Schumacher. I have to admit I never liked this comparison, and I still don't. How can you compare Schumi with his early 2000's car and Vettel's 2013 car? Formula 1 has changed a lot in those 10 years, the cars, the tyres, the rules, the competition. It's impossible to compare them so it's also impossible to say who of them is the best driver. If Vettel would break Schumi's record of 7 titles, does that mean he's better than him? Is it just about numbers of victories and titles? Can we just say, Vettel won more races than Lauda, so that means Vettel is better than Niki Lauda?

My answer is no. You can't compare drivers from different times. Juan Manuel Fangio won five titles in the 1950's, so can you say he's better than Niki Lauda, who won 3 titles in the seventies, or better than Ayrton Senna, who won his three titles around 1990. It's impossible to compare all these great champions. They all were the very best, the best of their time. They aren't new versions of each other. Schumacher wasn't the new Senna and Vettel win never be the second Schumacher, he is just the first and only Sebastian Vettel, it's as simple as that.

Catya Leroux

F1: Congratulations Vettel! (and that from a Ferrari fan)

Sebastian Vettel is 4 times worldchampion and equals Alain Prost. And that at just 26 years old!

Don't get me wrong, I'm still no fan of Vettel. I never have and (unless he comes to Ferrari) I probably never will. But I have to admit something has changed in the way I look at the Red Bull driver. In 2010 I could still say "He was just lucky, he didn't really deserve this title." but now...four times worldchampion. That's a bit more than just luck!

Sebastian Vettel is a fantastic driver. You just can't deny that! Not everybody becomes four times worldchampion.Vettel sure has won my respect this year. 10 victories, 7 poles and 6 fastest laps in 16 races. That's pretty impressive. You can like or hate him but you got to respect him. It's just stupid to say his success is all thanks to Adrian Newey and his designs. Of course Newey's cars are great but a great car isn't everything. At Red Bull they now have the perfect combination; a great car and a great driver. It's a simple as that.

So today, let's congratulate Vettel, because he has achieved something unbelievable. "Records are always made to be broken, no matter how great they are." Vettel broke a lot of records in his career already, and I'm pretty sure more will follow. And one day, another driver will be jumping out of his car saying "I can't believe I just broke Vettel's record!!" That's the way it goes. But for today, congratulations on your fourth worldchampionship, Fingerboy!

Catya Leroux

MotoGP: CIAO #58: Two years without Marco Simoncelli...

It has almost been two whole years.. two years since we lost one of the biggest talents of the MotoGP world; Marco "Super Sic" Simoncelli...

Marco Simoncelli was just at the start of his career. A week before his death, he achieved his best ever result in MotoGP by finishing second at Phillip Island. No one then realized that it would be his last race. I still remember the day as if it was yesterday. October 23 2011, the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. Marco started fifth and had a good start, but only two laps into the race it all went terribly wrong.. Marco fell and Colin Edwards, who was riding behind him, couldn't avoid him anymore. (Even now, two years after it happened, I can still see the crash happening..)  It was a horrible crash, but at that point the thought "he could be dead!" wasn't popping in my head. No, we, MotoGP fans, got used to riders falling, it happens every single race. They fall and the get back up and jump back on their bike. That's the way it goes! But not on October 23... Marco didn't get up and he didn't jump back on his bike..

I remember I then waited for news, news saying "Marco Simoncelli survived horrible crash" but that news didn't come. Marco didn't survive the crash and died at just 24 years old. That day, October 23 2011, the MotoGP world changed and the lives of many people all around the world changed. Marco was a very popular rider, people just loved the friendly Italian with his curly hair and his big smile. People loved his aggressive racing style and it seems the more his fellow racers got annoyed (or was it just scared?) by him, the more the fans started to love him. And Marco loved his fans, he wasn't the arrogant champion, no, he made time for the fans who came to support him. And that made us love him even more! But more than anything, Marco loved racing. And that's what every Simoncelli fan will tell you, "at least he died doing what he loves most." 

I can tell you one thing, our Super Sic will never be forgotten. He will race on in the hearts of everyone who loved him. We loved him, on and next to the track. We will always be his fans. Fellow Super Sic fans, don't cry on October 23 because that's not what he would have wanted, he wants us to smile, to enjoy life, to make our dreams come true, to love, just like he did. Live life to the fullest. Race your life! So put on the #58 cap, shirt, pin,.. Wednesday and smile! Smile for Super Sic! 

Catya Leroux

"Life is the sport of the brave people" 

----- Marco Simoncelli -----

 

F1: Maria de Villota, a strong woman in a men's world

"I have motorsport in my DNA and there is no way I can stay away from that world" 

Yesterday morning when I heard Maria de Villota was found dead, I was in shock. This can't be true...  I admired de Villota a lot and I'm pretty sure many female Formula 1 fans did. She was a woman fighting her way up in a sport dominated by men. She proved women deserve a place in the car as well and also have what it takes to race. She was an inspiration to all of us...

I just still can't  believe it.. She had that terrible accident where she lost her eye and that changed her life completely. People told her she would never race again but she was determined to get back in the car. She had come way too far to quit now. That's courage we can only admire. She learned to accept that she lost her eye and started training her other eye. She also wrote a book about her life after the accident, so just when everything was going better, tragedy strikes...

 Maria, you were a role model to many of us and you'll be missed very much.. And I want to thank you for everything you did. You probably never realized what you mean to many people. You have been going through hell, but still you kept smiling and never gave up on your dreams. You were a huge inspiration and taught us great things. May you rest in peace..

"Even now that I only have one eye, maybe I see more things than before. 

My life was completely against the clock, a fight against the stopwatch."

Even now that I only have one eye, maybe I see more things than before. My life was completely against the clock, a fight against the stopwatch.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/mariadevil498728.html#48s6rXR8CIzVt7Ay.99

Even now that I only have one eye, maybe I see more things than before. My life was completely against the clock, a fight against the stopwatch.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/maria_de_villota.html#PlOXfXQSLFSxP6FW.99

Even now that I only have one eye, maybe I see more things than before. My life was completely against the clock, a fight against the stopwatch.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/maria_de_villota.html#PlOXfXQSLFSxP6FW.99

Cycling: Who still cares about "The Armstrong Lie"?!

Today the trailer of a new documentary about Lance Armstrong was released. Lance Armstrong would "open up" in this documentary and reveal the truth about his Tour victories. But who cares?! I think most people are getting enough of all this Armstrong show. I sure am! Lance cheated, got caught years after and he confessed. Isn't it time to let it go and just move on?

I always supported Lance Armstrong and I still do. And for me, Lance has been punished enough. He doesn't need some movies about his life. This documentary is just the start because Hollywood is producing several more movies about him. Don't think the movie makers will put up a nice image of him. Of course not, they will focus on the liar, the bully and the arrogant cheater he was. The movies will be full of scenes where we see Lance doping himself and being an absolute jerk! That's the easy way for the producers. It's much easier to just see the "bad side" of Lance and to see all the things he did wrong. But only few people will still see ( and remember) the good things Lance did. Starting Livestrong to name one. And I'm pretty sure no movie will focuss on the good things. Too bad... That's why this documentaries and movies annoy me, because it isn't the truth either! It is only the negative side about the truth.

On top of that, people are saying Lance destroyed cycling and that cyclists now suffer from the "Armstrong heritage". Maybe that's true. Maybe we can't believe cyclists anymore, we can't believe that they can get these extraordinary results AND be clean. And maybe that is Lance Armstrong's fault. Or maybe we're just blaiming Armstrong for everything. I think it's time to leave Lance Armstrong in the past. Cycling moved on and so should everyone else. I'm not saying Lance should be forgotten, no,  I'm just saying we should close the chapter of Lance Armstrong.

Catya Leroux

F1: Ferrari 2014: The Iceman vs The Samurai

Kimi Räikkönen is back at Ferrari!

Well, to be honest I have to say that I didn't saw that comming. I didn't expect Ferrari to take the risk of putting the two worldchampions together in 2014. But I'm delighted that they did! My beloving team has not taking a lot of risks the last couple of years. La Scuderia Ferrari is a team build on tradition, on history and we hold on to some of the rules of our founder: Enzo Ferrari. And that can be a good thing, but when you look back and see that our last worldtitel has been in 2007 (yes, won by a certain Kimi Räikkönen) everybody will agree that it hasn't worked perfectly the last couple of years. So it's time for a change, to take a risk and that's exactly what Ferrari did.

The big question is how Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen will get along. Both of them are great drivers and great personalities. Kimi "The Iceman" is something special, that's the least you can say! Kimi does whatever he wants, whenever he wants. He's just in F1 for the racing and couldn't care less for everything around it. Press conferences and all media activities are a nightmare for him and he isn't shy to let everybody know. We can be sure that his return to Ferrari isn't an emotional one. (Kimi and emotions?! Come on!). He returns to Ferrari because he thinks they will give him a car good enough to win. And for the money of course!

Fernando Alonso on the other hand drives with his heart. For the last couple of years Ferrari didn't gave him the car he deserves. But still he managed to get more out of the car than what's actually in it. And to keep motivating the team to keep pushing to the very end. Alonso always refers to the samurais and is a true fighter. As long as a worldtitle is still possible, he will keep fighting. To motivate a team and as teamplayer there is no better on the grid than Fernando.

So two strong characters and fenomenal drivers. But together in one team? Will it be an "explosive combination" as Schumacher says? Yes, probably it will. That's what happends when you put two topdrivers together. But at the same time it could be a dreamteam. From history we learned that two strong teammates can push each other. And two strong, consistent drivers might bring the Constructor's Worldtitle back to Maranello. And that's still the dream at Ferrari! So just leave them alone cause Kimi knows what he's doing! :)

Catya Leroux

MotoGP: #93 a dirty rider? No, a true rider!

Marc Marquez has been getting a lot of criticism lately for his move on his teammate Dani Pedrosa Sunday in Aragon. It wasn't the first risky overtake of #93 and I'm sure it won't be the  last. People are labelling him as a "dirty rider" and saying he's taking too many unnecessary risks. To be honest, I don't understand all this criticism. Marquez is 20 years old, it's his first year in MotoGP and he's doing an astonishing job! 6 race victories, 7 poles, 13 podiums and leader in the championship. Not bad for a rookie, right?!

But yes, Marquez his racing style is dangerous. And that's still quite an understatement! But it's MotoGP so  it is dangerous, for all the riders. Marquez goes for the smallest, sometimes even non-existing gap to overtake his rivals. That made me think of a quote of F1-legend Ayrton Senna "If you no longer go for a gap that exist, you are no longer a racer". Marquez is a true racer, when he's on his bike he doesn't think about what could go wrong or isn't calculating if his second place would be enough for the worldtitle. The only thing he thinks about when racing is overtaking everyone who's in front of him and winning every race he can. And for me that's the way it should be! That's the mentality of a true racer for me. Maybe it won't gain him as much points as when he would "think" while riding but that's not what Marquez is like.

And in my opinion it's good for the fans and the sport that Marquez isn't a "thinker". Would the fans be happier to see a race without overtakes because every rider is just thinking about the world title and is happy with his place. Is that what we want?! You can love Marquez or hate him but you can't deny that he's contributing a lot to MotoGP. So from my point of view, trying to calm Marc down would be a very stupid thing to do. Marc isn't the crash kid he used to be in Moto2, he has grown a lot since then and everybody better watch out cause he's still growing. Marquez is just at the start of his carreer and I truly believe he still has a lot to show us. So watch and learn from him, cause this kid is something special!

Catya Leroux

F1: Boooo, Vettel won again!

Sebastian Vettel achieved last Sunday in Singapore his third victory in a row and for the third time in a row he got booed on the podium. F1-fans want to be entertained, want to see great fights between the drivers and that’s exactly the opposite of what Vettel is giving them. He has been in the lead every single lap Sunday and apart from about 200 meters at the start, had a very calm afternoon. Vettel’s Red Bull was (and has been during some other races this season) too fast to allow any opponent to even TRY to start a battle. And that’s not what the fans want. And they make that very clear every time Vettel gets on the podium.Too bad...

 

Vettel’s racing will remind most racing fans to another German driver. Yes, of course I’m talking about Michael Schumacher! “Baby Schumi” as Vettel has been nicknamed since his first moments in F1. And Schumacher was not very popular either during his first career. He destroyed the sport by winning everything, some said. But I don’t think we can blame either of them from doing too well, can we? Vettel is just doing what he loves and what he is payed for. 

I’m no big fan of Mr Vettel either, but we have to understand that how easy it may look; driving a F1 car isn’t easy. (Not even for Vettel in his fast Red Bull!) So love him or hate him, but nobody can deny that he’s a great driver, it’s as simple as that. And me, as a huge Ferrari-fan, saying that, is a big deal. Believe me! :)

Catya Leroux

 

Cycling: It's not about the bike, it's about Lance

Some months after Lance's doping confession, so it's getting time to get my thoughts straight. Lance Armstrong was my hero for years, and suddenly it all changed...or didn't it?

Yes, I am disappointed in Lance Armstrong. I'm disappointed he was also one of the cheaters in the cycling sport. I'm disappointed he lied against all the people who stood behind him, supported and defended him. Do I feel betrayed by Lance? Yes. Yes, I do. And I know millions of others feel betrayed as well. Many of them will turn their back on their former hero. I can't do that. Lance inspired me with what he did, what he said, how he was. He did, and I can't change that, Lance inspired me and has had a large impact on my life, he taught me the love for cycling, he taught me what it is to train like hell. Lance will never be over for me. I can't let him fall like millions of people did.

On top of that I now (finally) understand why he doped. For Lance doping was something everybody COULD use, it was everybody's own choice. It was not something only he could do; it was a choice everybody had to make. He didn't saw it as an unfair advantage, because it wasn't unfair in his eyes, everybody could choose to dope as well. So when Lance says it didn't feel like cheating, but it was a fair fight, I completely understand. There was just one thing he, and all the other dopers forgot, it was not allowed...

Am I saying we should all feel sorry for Lance Armstrong? No, it was a choice he made. And with him a choice many of his teammates made. All I'm saying is that we should make a marginal comment with his doping use and that of all the other cyclists. The Tour de France is over 3.000 km in 3 weeks, going over some of France highest mountains, it is not easy, for nobody. People who say doping makes cyclists fly on Mont Ventoux or Tourmalet, don't know a thing about cycling.Cycling is one of the hardest sports for your body, you're in an uncomfortable position for about 6-7 hours a day, and that day after day. Doping doesn't make you twice as fast. Lance Armstrong didn't win the Tour thanks to doping, Lance won the Tour because he was prepared to do whatever it takes to win. Because he's a fighter, and because he wanted it more than anything else in the world. He won because he was obsessed by the Tour de France and by winning it and he wasn't afraid to cross the lines of what's allowed to achieve his goal.

At the end, Lance did probably the same as many other cyclists. But Lance isn't like the other cyclists and that's why the consequences of his doping confession are a lot heavier than with other cyclists. He didn't won just once but he broke all the records and won seven times. On top of that Lance wasn't just a cyclist, he was a source of inspiration, a cancer fighter,a chairman and also those things suffer after his confession. And that's something Lance doesn't deserve.

Lance Armstrong might has cheated and lied but he's no bad person, like some people think. Lance has done a lot of good things as well, but of course everybody now forgets about those. What is still, in my eyes, the best thing Lance has ever done isn't winning the Tour, but it's giving HOPE. Hope for people fighting against cancer, hope that cancer doesn't have to be the end, hope that it's possible to have a great, healthy life after the decease. Lance brought Livestrong to the world, an organization that supports people in their fight and invests money in research and development of medicines. Lance Armstrong made sure that the fight against cancer didn't get forgotten. People should also remember these things and not just the mistakes he made as a cyclist.

Eventually, in my eyes Lance will always be seven times Tour winner. He will always be the founder and head of Livestrong, one of the most inspiring people in the world and most important; my hero.

Catya Leroux