Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site druri.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!mtuxo!drutx!druri!jhs
From: jhs@druri.UUCP (ShoreJ)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Greg LeMon(d) [sic]
Message-ID: <1140@druri.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 26-Jul-85 20:53:03 EDT
Article-I.D.: druri.1140
Posted: Fri Jul 26 20:53:03 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 28-Jul-85 15:08:18 EDT
References: <7085@Shasta.ARPA>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
Lines: 36

>What was Greg's understanding with La Vie Claire during the last stages of the 
>Tour De France - why did he feel obligated to work for Bernard on the last 
>climb and then cry about it on t.v.? What reason could his manager have given 
>him to hold back?  If Greg went into first place dropping Roche, La Vie Claire 
>still had a winner.
>
>I am not so naive to misunderstand the chauvanism
>of the French, but was Greg?  --  Evan Tick

He worked for Hinnault because "The Badger" hired him.

He cried about it on TV because business arrangements and Le Mond's integrity
don't cancel out emotions. And TV was there--Le Mond didn't ask for eyewitnesses
to his personal distress. He knew it might be his only/best chance, but he still
honored his commitment to Hinnault.

Speculation: his manager probably reminded him of all of the above, then noted
that he (Le Mond) could stick it in his ear forever after if he didn't honor
the contract, real or implied.

La Vie Claire having the winner be the FIVE-TIME Tour champion was more
important than just having *a* winner. You don't often get a chance to
plug your products with a "living legend" that shares the company of Mercyx 
(sp?) and Coppi.

You *are* naive (that's really not intended as a flame; but fair's fair, so 
fire back if that'll make you feel better). The French have no monopoly on 
chauvinism and it is not really important what the nationality of the rider was
in this case. [Do you recall that that "French" team had American, Canadian,
and Dutch (or was he Belgian?) riders working for Hinnault?]

Greg is no man's fool--witness his business dealings AND riding over the last
couple of years. All things being equal next year, Hinnault *will* "sacrifice
for Greg, and Le Mond will be the first American winner of the Tour.

-- Jeff Shore, ..!ihnp4!druri!jhs