Cycling: Review: The Armstrong Lie ****

"We just all wanted to believe the pretty fairy tale and not the ugly truth..."  

 

Yes, I did it, I watched the documentary 'The Armstrong Lie' (Alex Gibney). I know about ten months ago I wrote I wasn't interested in it at all (post you can read here) but at the end I just want to know everything. I think I came to the point that I excepted Lance's cheating so the allegations of doping that used to piss me off, don't matter anymore because it's not just an allegation, it's a fact. I have read and seen everything about Lance for the last five years, so why stop now? I even read David Walsh's book and believe me, that's a big thing for me because Walsh was seen as Armstrong's big enemy. But even though I'm getting to know the other side of the story better now, I'm not judging Lance. I never have and I don't think I ever will. I'm just trying to understand him.

Well, back to the documentary! I was very sceptical and I think I have every reason to. When there are documentaries made about Armstrong, it's very easy to focus on the arrogant, bullying jerk he was (or is). Many of the documentaries I have seen were like this, Lance is the devil and he destroyed the whole cycling world. But this documentary was different, it was kind of honest. Kind of, because there were still things Lance clearly didn't want to talk about. But it was the most honest I have ever seen Lance. And that struck me because for the first time it was as if he was struggling with what he has done.

It seems he almost even felt sorry for what he did and honestly, I have never seen him like this. Somehow it made me think of Johnny Cash and his song and videoclip 'Hurt'. The old, lonely man (sorry Lance, I know you're not that old yet) looking back on his life, on all the choices he made, all the friends he lost, all the fans he betrayed. Has he done the right thing? And if not, could he ever fix his mistakes? In this documentary you do see another side of Armstrong. His real and honest side? I don't know, it all might be just another trick of Lance but I have to say I do believe him. Most of the time. Why wouldn't I? Because he has lied in the past? Yeah, sure. But what does he still has to lose? He lost a large amount of his money, his foundation, his reputation, friends and fans, sponsors,.. What's left to protect?

This is also the first documentary I feel like I understand what, and more important why everybody has done what they did. Especially in the case of Michele Ferrari. And it's great Gibney got Ferrari to talk in front of his camera. Not many can say they did. Ferrari was in the first place a scientist and he was doing research to the limits of what is humanly possible. He wanted to see how far he could push the human body, with training, nutrition and of course doping. He just needed the perfect person to test all of this on. And then he met Lance and he was perfect, he was everything Ferrari was looking for. I think in a way Ferrari has used Armstrong and his teammates as some sort of guinea pigs. But it was the perfect win-win-situation, they both had what they wanted.

And Lance only wanted one thing, to win. No, not just win, but to defeat, dominate. That's something you still see when he's talking about his comeback in 2009. He believed he was able to win the Tour that year. When he realises he just isn't good enough and he can't keep up with the younger generation, he's heartbroken and that's a very good piece in this documentary. Lance is close to crying because for the first time in a very long time he is not good enough to do what he wants. And there is nothing he can do about it. I honestly really liked that part, not that I am some sort of sadistic person who likes to see the emotional pain of my hero, no, but because it's real. I don't think his whole show with Oprah was real, the tears, the excuses, that was all staged. But that moment, in the Tour of 2009, that was real. He lost control about everything and he hated it.

So of course Lance wanted to get back in control after that moment and wanted to show everyone, including himself  he was still good enough. So did he dope before the stage to the Mont Ventoux? I don't know. I would like to say I'd be ready to put my hand in the fire and say he didn't dope but I can't. I have put my hand in the fire a lot for Lance and what happend? I got burned. If Lance was clean, 2009 was an incredible performance. By far his best Tour ever, knowing what we know today. If he wasn't, it was just another lie, another part of the fairy tale he made us believe. Another proof that his comeback wasn't any different and that he hasn't changed a bit. Only time will tell I guess.

So, do you have to see this documentary? Yes. It is by far the best I have seen about Armstrong. Even if you don't really care about all his lies anymore, there is a lot more to this one. The unseen footage is amazing. Bruyneel getting mad in the car because Contador was attacking and by doing so pushing Armstrong off the Tour podium. Which shows one more time how very close those two are. Footage of Lance trying to have a normal life with his daughters but being interrupted by people from the anti-doping agency. This is a real documentary, that tells two sides of the story and I'm actually very glad Lance did this, that he participated, even after his confession. That he wanted to look back on the things he said some years ago and give his new opinion. I like this old fella, he looks a bit grumpy at times but he's real. Well, at least I hope he is.

Catya Leroux

The Return of the Livestrong Wristband

For four years this yellow plastic wristband had never been taken off. Until a couple of months ago I had enough of the Armstrong drama that people associated with the band I wore. But as from today, the yellow accessory is back on. It's not about Lance Armstrong, I'm supporting cancer fighters and I'm living strong!

I ordered my Livestrong wristbands a couple of weeks before Lance's first Tour of his comeback. But something went wrong with my order or shipping and I had to wait and wait and wait for my package to arrive... But when I finally found it in my mailbox, I was delighted. Finally! I was officially part of the Livestrong (Armstrong?) community. 

For the next years, I never even thought about taking the yellow thing off my wrist. It was like a tattoo, it was there to stay. Even when Lance retired from cycling, even when he left the organisation he founded over ten years ago. Even when he admitted he doped himself to win the Tour seven times! So why did I suddenly had enough of the thing around my wrist?

Honestly, a couple of months ago it just started
bothering me. I had been wearing it for too long I guess and I was that used to it that it had lost all meaning. It was just something around my wrist, something that was always there.  It has never been about Lance (Surprise, not everything is about Lance!). To me it just had lost the meaning of supporting an organisation fighting against cancer, and exactly that was the goal of the wristbands.

And now...I'm proud to put that yellow band back on my wrist. I might take it off sometimes and watch at it, and remind myself what it stands for. For standing together against a disease that kills millions of people each year. For fighting together so we can lower the amount of cancer deaths. Not for the man who founded it, but for the disease he fought. Let's live strong! 

Catya Leroux

F1: Schumacher: Give us hope, Sabine

F1-legend Michael Schumacher has been in a coma for well over five months now. And the longer it takes to get some (good) news, the more frustrating it gets. Why don't we get any updates of the condition of our hero? In my eyes, Michael's manager Sabine Kehm is handeling the situation completely wrong.

Of course I understand that the last thing the family wants (and needs) now are journalists from all over the world who camp in front of the Grenoble hospital and keep asking questions. And if you keep in mind that some people have tried to get in Michael's room to get a scoop, it's clear the family is happy the whole Schumi story isn't in the news anymore.

But then there is us, Michael's long-time fans who are worried about his condition and we don't get any news either. We only get rumours that either give us more hope, or that take our hope away. And we don't even know if they are true. "Don't believe any rumours", is Kehm's message. Well, that gets pretty hard if you don't get any "official" news. The last official update from Kehm has been from months ago and since then the only "news" we got were denials of rumours. All good news of progress gets denied, so what are we left with?

I honestly can't imagine this is the right way of dealing with the situation. Now there are about every week new rumours, that have to be denied over and over again. Why doesn't she give a statement every week, it doesn't have to be much. If Michael is still in a coma, if the doctors are still trying to wake him up and just if there has been ANY progress in the last few months. Even if that means we get the same news every week, we then at least get some news. And I think we have the right to get some news. Keep fighting Schumi!

Catya Leroux

The Tears of the Blade Runner

Ah, Oscar Pistorius… The South African athlete who surprised the world by competing in the Olympic Games, although both his legs were amputated when he was 11 months old. His life was a dream, a fairytale. He had it all, the fame, the money, the respect. It was impossible not to look up and respect Pistorius. 

But on February 14 2013 that fairytale has gone terribly wrong. Pistorius shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, who he thought was a burglar. Now, over a year later, the trial continued after a two weeks break. Several times the South African athlete broke down in tears during his trail and a lot has been written about those tears. “He should get an award for this performance” some said. According to others Pistorius even followed acting classes before his trail. Sounds a bit over the top, I think. But hey, people are prepared to do crazy things when their freedom is at stake. 

Is Pistorius faking his tears in order to convince the jury of his innocence? Could be. Maybe he’s a murderer and is willing to put up a show to stay out of jail. But there is also a chance that he’s just a broken hearted man who still can’t live with the fact he killed the woman he loved. That he’s a victim of his own horrible mistake. There are two sides to every story, we shouldn’t forget to also listen to Pistorius his side before we assume he’s a coldhearted murderer. 

Catya Leroux 

F1: Schumacher: 100 days of fighting

Today, April 9 2014, it's exactly 100 days since Michael Schumacher's horrible skiing accident. 100 days later and he is still in a coma in the Grenoble hospital. But last week we (finally!) got some good news, Michael would show moments of consciousness, awakening and according to some he would even make eye contact and respond to voices. It might seem small things but it sure is the best news we have had in those 100 days.

After 100 days, I still believe that Schumi will wake up. I know that it might sound naive and actually I'm very aware of that. And I don't mean that in a negative kind of way. I understand the chances of him waking up and being back as he was before his accident are very small. And they are getting smaller every day. They're small but they are there. There still is a chance he will wake up. And as long as there is even the smallest chance, I  believe in it. Someone once told us "we are always there, we always fight, we never give up... that's why we are here". And yes, that was Mr Schumacher himself. Michael has fought his whole life, from the moments the lights went off, till the passing of the finish line. And this, this isn't the finish line. We're still in the middle of the fight and this is a fight Michael will win.

Catya Leroux

Moto GP: The Return of Racing (and Marvellous Marc)

Since November 10 many racing fans have been waiting for this very weekend. The return of Moto3, Moto2 and of course MotoGP. After the long winter break and the pre-season testing, it's now time for the real work. Let's race!

What do I expect from this season? The same I expect every time, fantastic races and  breathtaking fights, racing on the limit, and maybe slightly over the limit. I expect most of #93, the worldchampion, Marc "Marvellous Marc" Marquez. He had an astonishing season last year, not to forget it was  his very first season in MotoGP. If he can become worldchampion, win 6 races, get 16 podiums and 9 poles in his first season, what on earth is he gonna do this year and the upcoming, let's say 10 years? The best is yet to come I think. This kid is special and it will be hard to stop him.

And what about Marquez's main opponent Jorge Lorenzo? Well, Lorenzo is a fantastic rider, absolutely no doubt about that! But he's clearly having a hard time fighting off the young, risky riding style of Marquez. And honestly I doubt if he's gonna be able to stop #93 this year. But I'm sure Jorge will do whatever he can to beat Marvellous Marc.

At the start of every season, I wish for the same thing, The Doctor, Valentino Rossi being back where he belongs, at number one. Some people think his time is over and it's time for him to retire and make place for some young riders. But I don't agree with that, even if Vale can't win races, MotoGP needs him. The fans need him but also his opponents need him. Rookies, like Marc last year, who grew up watching at Vale, need him. He has become a bit like the godfather of MotoGP. He's The Boss, the only boss. MotoGP won't be the same when Vale retires. But hey, that are problems for later! I know the changes of Rossi winning the world title aren't that big but the old man still has some tricks up his sleeve. What do I expect from him this year? Fearless battles with the young kid Marquez and yes, some victories. Just so you don't ever forget who The Doctor is! ;)

So yes, expectations are high, as always, because this is racing at its best, it doesn't get better than this. The long wait is over so gentlemen, start your bikes, the 2014 season is about to start! May the best man win!

Catya Leroux

Cycling: The Armstrong Factor

Oh yes, another article about one of my favourite subjects; Lance Armstrong! No week passes by without Lance being on the news, so there is always something to write about for me.

A couple of days ago I read a article about a man from Utah who had been sentenced for sending a threatening email to U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart during the Armstrong investigation. Most people will think only completely insane people will sent emails like this but I don't think that's the case in the Armstrong story.

It seems you're now either completely against Armstrong or still right by his side, no matter what. It's very hard to be impartial about Armstrong. Every single person seems to have an opinion about him. Lance's influence is larger than he thinks, as the mail I was just talking about shows. Even now, I think his influence is larger than he could ever imagine. And I think he should be more aware of this, he should pay more attention to the people who are still by his side. Cause believe me, it isn't always easy! Don't have to tell you many people ask me "How on earth can you still support Armstrong?!" The answer is actually very simple; because he's my hero, he's always been and he probably always will...

There is just something about Lance Armstrong, a certain factor that makes him so very special. I'm not really sure what it is. It might be his huge charisma and his determination, not only in his cycling career but also in his ordinary life. Or maybe it's just the fact that he's a great manipulator and can make people believe whatever he wants. Is it that he has won against all the odds the fight against cancer and came back from it stronger than ever? Or is it that he got away with lying against everybody for over 10 years? Is it because he can speech so very well and can convice people so easily? Or that he, a normal boy from Texas became a Hollywood celebrity who dated movie starts and ownes the personal phone numbers of several US presidents? According to me it's the combination of all of this. There is just so much what Armstrong is, has done and said. He made himself impossible to forget. And that, is the Armstrong legacy.

Catya Leroux