Fatty Attends a Press Conference With Lance Armstrong
I went to my very first-ever cycling related press conference yesterday, wherein Lance sat down and talked to the cycling press. Here he is, talking:
The following things happened at this press conference:
- Lance told us everything he already talked about in New York yesterday. Namely, he’s going to Astana, his main objective is to campaign against cancer, and he can’t guarantee that he’ll win the Tour next year.
- Greg Lemond was in the front row, and jumped in with the first question, and then wouldn’t shut up. He tried to turn this conference into an ad-hoc trial / referendum. It was stupid and obnoxious, and it wasn’t the right time for that kind of ambush. As soon as I get home tonight, I’m going to steam the decals of my Fillmore.
- Eddy Merckx was also there, as a surrogate for his son Axel, who could not be there due to family medical reasons. I am pleased to say that I behaved exactly like the consummate journalist I am, by begging for a photo with Eddy.
I hereby declare this press conference a huge success.
Comment by Ethan | 09.25.2008 | 11:54 am
I can’t tell if the Greg Lemond part is true or “fake news.” I mean, you’ve got a picture with Eddy Merckx, so the rest of the story seems to add up.
Confused.
(By the way, if it’s true, then you totally scooped the “real” media.)
Comment by SyracuseStu | 09.25.2008 | 11:55 am
I must say…Personally, I see what can only described as a “strong family resemblence” between you and Eddy.
Anyone else see it?
Comment by juan | 09.25.2008 | 12:03 pm
podium
Comment by ryed4fuhn | 09.25.2008 | 12:06 pm
Definitely some resemblance to the Cannibal.
Comment by juan | 09.25.2008 | 12:06 pm
I wish i could have been there, the only thing that could top chating with Lance on the USO tour last year would be to meet “the canibal”
Comment by db | 09.25.2008 | 12:14 pm
I’m more impressed by the Cannibal than Lance or Lemond.
It’s sad that Lemond has to seek out events for attention now. I’ll bet the Trek reps there are glad they don’t have to deal with him now…
Comment by GenghisKhan | 09.25.2008 | 12:15 pm
The decals are probably clearcoated on–try belt sander…
Comment by getinlost | 09.25.2008 | 12:17 pm
SWEET!
Comment by RachelGio | 09.25.2008 | 12:18 pm
Dear Greg, move on already! Yay Lance! Yay Cannibal and Alex! YAY! Fatty! Yes, you are certainly related. See if you can get him to invite you to his house to check out family resemblance to other Merckxs. WIN SUSAN!!!!
Comment by Clydesteve | 09.25.2008 | 12:24 pm
Elden and Axel were switched at birth.
Comment by Jared | 09.25.2008 | 12:26 pm
Lemond is an idiot. Fatty, sell your Fillmore, buy the Triton to replace it.
Comment by graisseux | 09.25.2008 | 12:38 pm
Fatty, give me your Fillmore, buy the Triton to replace it.
Comment by cyclostu | 09.25.2008 | 12:40 pm
Fatty’s story about Lemond being obnoxiousis true – it just posted on VeloNews.
http://beta.velonews.com/article/83679/armstrong-press-conference-turns-tense
Comment by 331miles | 09.25.2008 | 12:43 pm
With each interbike posting I become more jealous of Fatty.
Comment by getinlost | 09.25.2008 | 12:44 pm
Fatty sighting!
Comment by Kt | 09.25.2008 | 12:50 pm
I agree with SyracuseStu, it’s all in the ears.
I mean, Fatty’s ears and Eddy’s ears are show a remarkable father-son resemblance.
Ah heck. Someone give me a shovel. :)
Comment by Northwest Bicyclist | 09.25.2008 | 12:55 pm
Fatty is lucky… I need to figure out how I can get into the Interbike next year! Too bad Lance didn’t start his own team, I was kinda hoping that would happen.
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[...] Fatty Attends a Press Conference With Lance Armstrong Posted by admin on September 25, 2008 random I went to my very first-ever cycling related press conference yesterday, wherein Lance sat down and talked to the cycling press. Here he is, talking: [...]
Comment by Hamish A | 09.25.2008 | 1:08 pm
Well done Fatty for totally scooping the rest of the Worlds biking media over the Lemond thing. I do wish somebody would tell the silly man to get over the fact he’s no longer USA Cyclings #1 poster boy and find something constructive to do.
Actually, Greg, if by chance you’re reading this – MOVE ON!!!
Glad to see you continue to enjoy yourself in Vegas Fatty.
WIN Susan!!!
Comment by Fritz | 09.25.2008 | 1:16 pm
Fatty’s account is accurate. Greg essentially made an ass of himself. It was embarrassing.
Comment by BunE | 09.25.2008 | 1:34 pm
LeMond = Idiot
Comment by Will | 09.25.2008 | 1:40 pm
Fatty,
You’ve officially arrived. Congratulations.
Win Susan!
Comment by Nick | 09.25.2008 | 1:44 pm
I wish Lemond and Lance would just hug it out.
Comment by MTB W | 09.25.2008 | 1:44 pm
Fatty, as a certified cycling web journalist (as a fake news journalist, at the very least) did you ask any Qs?
Comment by Nick | 09.25.2008 | 1:46 pm
ps: why isn’t there a facebook group for Fatty’s fans yet?
Comment by Flatman | 09.25.2008 | 1:46 pm
Lemond is a douche.
Comment by nearlyfamousfred.blogspot.com | 09.25.2008 | 1:51 pm
Every time greg lemond, aka “Bitter Bitterman” opens his mouth, he sounds more and more pathetic.
Please greg, for your own sake, shut up and fade away.
WIN SUSAN WIN!
nearlyfamousfred.blogspot.com
Comment by Mike | 09.25.2008 | 1:56 pm
It’s more in the eyebrows, I think.
Comment by Kathleen | 09.25.2008 | 2:04 pm
Nice water pitcher in the Lance photo…I can see by the upturned glass that he’s not overly focused on staying hydrated in Las Vegas. I’m just here to make useless observations.
Comment by Don | 09.25.2008 | 2:16 pm
I hear he also pulled 22nd in the Vegas Cross race
Comment by Don | 09.25.2008 | 2:17 pm
Oh, and I agree with nick… FattyFacebook
OOH! Better
FatBook
http://fatbook.com is available
Comment by Roo | 09.25.2008 | 3:03 pm
I’d never noticed before that Lance barely has eyebrows. So glad to hear he gave Lemond the chance to be a dick yet again.
Comment by the other jared | 09.25.2008 | 3:22 pm
Apparently there’s another Jared in the comments now. I too think you two might be family (Fatty and Eddy). When is Lance gonna reveal his master plan? I’m tired of these regular answers that any cyclist might give. We all know Lance has something grander and is hiding it, that rascal.
Comment by Philly Jen | 09.25.2008 | 3:51 pm
Re: Cannibal resemblances
Note that Fatty and Axel Merckx have never been seen in the same room at the same time.
(Which is this blog a nice Merckx-y orange? Coincidence? Halloween? I think not.)
Comment by Nick | 09.25.2008 | 3:52 pm
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29254613646 is the Fatty Facebook group.
Comment by MikeonhisBike | 09.25.2008 | 4:14 pm
I’ve met Greg a couple of times on Tour de Cure rides and he’s a really nice guy. I’m surprised at his behavior. Seems like he’s got an axe to grind.
Mike J
http://mikeonhisbike.blogspot.com/
Comment by Clydesteve | 09.25.2008 | 4:43 pm
Questions about the photo above:
What is the ‘Family Guy’ impersonator doing at Interbike?
And, why is he not facing the same direction as Fatty, which is obviously where the interesting stuff is??
Comment by Scott in Owatonna, MN | 09.25.2008 | 5:02 pm
That man (Lemond, obviously) is giving Minnesota a bad name — what a crybaby! Nice write up about Interbike, Fatty — I’m jealous.
Comment by Kristen | 09.25.2008 | 5:25 pm
Lemond is mentally ill…I can’t believe I ever contemplated buying one of his bikes
Comment by Richard | 09.25.2008 | 6:31 pm
Lemond is a jerk and every time he speaks he puts more feet into his mouth. I’m surprised that he can still talk.
Comment by Bike Rider Guy | 09.25.2008 | 6:56 pm
Lance and Greg should just break out into an argument along the lines of “who has the biggest … *thingy”.
Lemond: “I won the tour 3 times!”
Audience: ooohhhhh!
Armstrong: “I won the tour 7 times in a row!”
Audience (to Lemond): Burn. He’s got you covered buddy.
All of the great disputes in the world could be solved with an audience with a teenager mindest.
Comment by Bike Rider Guy | 09.25.2008 | 6:58 pm
*Mindset, that should read.
I got caught up in the moment.
Comment by BrokeMBA | 09.25.2008 | 8:29 pm
Fatty. Still green with Envy. I think the lead poisoning from the bird shot LeMond was peppered with has finally reached his brain. What a dork for a guy that could do some good with his fame.
Fatty, I don’t get the resemblence with Merckx. His head is 3x the size of yours. His head could rival Barry Bond’s head, but he still has cycling arms…LOL.
Win Susan!!!!
Comment by bob | 09.25.2008 | 8:58 pm
I think Lemond has valid questions that some one needs to ask, maybe he asked them at the wrong time, but is there truly a right time?
Nothing in his question screamed me me me to this observer. Maybe, just maybe he cares about the sport.
Guess you can’t attack the super hero and make friends. It is a shame that people are so quick to judge without the facts.
Comment by Chubby | 09.25.2008 | 10:19 pm
Who *wouldn’t* beg for a photo with Eddy? Well done!
Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 09.25.2008 | 10:35 pm
I’m beginning to understand why Lemond got shot.
Comment by Dobovedo | 09.25.2008 | 11:35 pm
Fatty, thanks for crackin’ me up with your constant lighter side observations of all things Interbike. You’re a true gem.
On the flip side, IMHO jokes about somebody getting shot are NOT funny. Like him or not, that was a tragedy. And… it has to have a huge impact on who he is today. Not the other way around.
Comment by Bander | 09.25.2008 | 11:36 pm
Lemond goes hunting with Cheney?
Comment by Julie | 09.25.2008 | 11:58 pm
I love you Fatty, but I agree with bob. I wasn’t there in person, but I listened to the full audio on The FredCast. I thought LeMond’s questions were intelligent and reasonable. And it was precisely the right time to ask them. Lance had Catlin there at his side, obviously the anti-doping program was a significant part of the press conference. Greg asked legitimate questions about that program. Catlin was surprisingly befuddled, I thought he’d be up on recent anti-doping theory, but he did seem interested in learning more about what Greg was talking about.
Comment by guyal | 09.26.2008 | 12:29 am
Lemond = freak of nature who was wildly successful in the doping-riddled 80s, and no one questions his success (see http://www.competitorradio.com/details.php?show=225 for background)
Armstrong = freak of nature who was wildly successful in subsequent doping-riddled era, and he’s under vague, impossible to refute suspicion.
Got it. Sounds great. Just want to make sure I understand the rules.
Comment by S | 09.26.2008 | 1:34 am
Fatty – you have a photo with Eddy. Totally Awesome.
OK there was some other stuff going on that doesn’t really matter as you got the photo.
Next time don’t give away the Twin-sixes early. You could have had him wearing pink!
I notice that Lamond didn’t show up at Contador’s press conference to talk about doping. I wonder if Lancestrong bunged him a few dollars to turn out to add to the hype?
Comment by Jeff | 09.26.2008 | 5:55 am
So…how do we know that Lemond didn’t dope?
Comment by Crazy Commuting Cyclist | 09.26.2008 | 6:41 am
I thought Lemond was cool in his day, then I grew up and found out otherwise. Great pic with Eddy! If I could have a pic with either Lance or Eddy, I would have to go with Eddy.
Win Suesan!
Comment by El Animal | 09.26.2008 | 6:45 am
Forget Lemond, Fatty with that picture you have entered the next level of cycling celebritism, or something like that. Yeah!!!
Comment by Rob | 09.26.2008 | 6:54 am
Absolutely awesome.
BigMikeInOz….LOL. Well done.
Elden….”going to steam the decals off my Fillmore”. Nice. Lemond is a tool. And completely NUTS!!
The pix with Eddy is great. Kenny needs to make you a life-size cutout of that!!
Win Susan.
Comment by Philly | 09.26.2008 | 7:08 am
Fatty – I read about the Lemond thing in the paper this morning and couldn’t believe it! I want some first person details. Lance must have been PISSED. Did Lemond just give up eventually or was he shouted down? How bizarre; and you got to see it all: do share.
Comment by Ty | 09.26.2008 | 7:15 am
Wasn’t the Eddy cardboard image later moved to the parking lot to facilitate photo taking at the request of the fire marshall as the line in the expo was blocking the aisle?
Just wondering as I had a similar pic only it’s of me and Lance taken at my LBS after his last TdF win.
Comment by Boz | 09.26.2008 | 7:32 am
Lemond must have a dual personality. I’ve chatted with him a few time, most recently after the Fat Tire in Wisc last year. He always come off as normal (as normal as any top athlete can be). Then, he does this kind of crap. I just don’t get it…
Comment by Mark | 09.26.2008 | 7:47 am
I literally shouted “OH HELL YEAH” when I saw the picture of you and the Cannibal.
AWESOME!
Comment by Rob | 09.26.2008 | 8:52 am
I just read the cyclingnews story, and looked at a few more pictures. I bet Lance was thrilled to walk into the press conference and see LeMond sitting in the first seat! Again I say….tool.
Comment by Vet Sculler | 09.26.2008 | 8:56 am
“Fatty – you have a photo with Eddy. Totally Awesome.”
Wrong way round I think;
“Eddy – you have a photo with Fatty …..”
WIN Susan
Comment by SyracuseStu | 09.26.2008 | 8:57 am
Anyone mind if I blatantly rip off the commenters and start creating shirts that say:
“Lemond is a ______
a) tool
b) idiot
c) jerk
d) all of the above”
For some reason, I would get a kick seeing people wearing them. Not sure I would feel right proposing such a thing to Twin-Six. Might have to be an underground effort.
Comment by Mike Roadie | 09.26.2008 | 9:12 am
D
Eddam Urrix! Eddam Urrix!! Where’s Dr Prescott???
Comment by Marrock | 09.26.2008 | 10:25 am
Lance who?
Comment by tom in georgia | 09.26.2008 | 10:57 am
Greg has always seemed to be a very bitter person. However,his commentary at the tour this year was quite good. I agree with Boz…dual personalities or something…at least he’s entertaining…never know what you are going to get with the guy..By the way fatty, Me and my riding buddies are green with envy looking at all your pics from the show.
Comment by spongebob | 09.26.2008 | 1:10 pm
I have a pair of Lemond bibs and get the satisfaction of knowing that once a week they get corroded by sweaty man parts. Perhaps I should just peel off the d and make Lemons out of Lemonds.
Comment by KAG | 09.26.2008 | 3:15 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryH650Br8uI Here is a you tube view of Greg VS. Lance!
Comment by Paul | 09.26.2008 | 5:38 pm
I sort of feel sorry for Greg, something besides his legs and lungs has gone south. I wonder if that blast of lead shot caused some sort of lead poisoning?
Comment by Stainless Ed | 09.27.2008 | 12:09 am
Great to finally see you in person, Fatty. I’m thinking of removing the decals off my Sarthe as well. Also I have a Lemond Jersey that might wind up as a shop rag.
Comment by john | 09.30.2008 | 11:18 pm
what kind of new hat is that on the head of the guy standing next to Eddy ? Weird.
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[...] September 25, I attended the Lance Armstrong press conference. I had a few questions written down about how Lance hoped to use his return to the sport to fight [...]
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[...] Armstrong Foundation Posted by admin on October 08, 2008 random On September 25, I attended the Lance Armstrong press conference. I had a few questions written down about how Lance hoped to use his return to the sport to fight [...]
Comment by ranch111 | 12.31.2008 | 12:34 pm
I happen to think LeMond has a point. Armstrong’s relationship with Michele Ferrari has to be scrutinized. LeMond has nothing to gain, except help the sport of cycling, by speaking out. He has tons to lose, as was seen when Armstrong tried to get Trek to drop LeMond. I just think Armstrong has so much to protect that he would lie if he doped. Don’t bag on LeMond too much. You have to respect the man for winning the Tour clean.
Comment by valentino rossi | 01.25.2009 | 8:15 pm
Lemond is the greatest that ever lived and I’ll ride his bikes forever you cowards. Lemond is the best thing that has ever happened to cycling you bunch of Armstrong wannabees. You people could’nt peddle a 14 pound carbon Trek up your driveway. All of you follow the “in thing” and probably know nothing about someone like Indurain or any other past champs. your a bunch of followers. Now go dust off your dusty garage bikes and get riding. Lance is so you have to also until he retires again then it’s back to the garage with the bikes. Put them all on ebay so I can buy them for cheap.
Comment by BobbyT | 07.26.2009 | 12:15 am
LeMond was great. He was my hero and got me into competitive cycling many years ago. Unfortunately now he has to recall his former glory by casting innuendo at others. He needs to act like what he is: a page in the history of cycling. Go away, Greg.