I don't want to take away anything from Lance. I'm giving him full credit for everything he did, on and off the bike.
He doped like the rest of the peloton, but that's only a small part of the story, and where the similarity with other riders ends.
You think that his competition was faster, stronger, and more agressive than Lemond's? I think we all know why. Things changed drastically in the early 90's, and then changed back around 2007. Do a simple time analysis in the post-Lance years (when the passport was introduced), and you see the times slow down to 1980's era ranges again. Give Lance a 1985 bike (and 1985 doctors), and I'm not convinced he would be heads and tails better than the 1985 peloton.
I think Lemond's miracle comeback wasn't that miraculous, and have no reason to doubt it was completely natural. His 1989 and 1990 performances were comparable to 1984-1986.
I don't know about hating a brash American -- a lot of people loved Lance, because he has charisma, but I think you understate point 3.
I don't know about amazing competitive courage -- you'd have to explain why "courage" is the best word, but I certainly agree his excessive desire to win at all costs, lead him to significantly advance the field of doping, which allowed him to train harder.