taking the other side wrote:
This goes to show you that Lance is an athlete to the core. It's easy for a bunch of hacks to give him sh.t, but not a single one of you has ever found yourselves in the position he was in when it came to doping. It was either get with the program like nearly everyone but Bassons or find another career. I don't condone it, but I certainly understand why he chose to dope. If I was in his position I guarantee I would have to.
What's not so easy to cast aside is the fact he was a total ahole to so many people while trying to hide it.
Anyway, glad to see he's still racing. Most of the other former champions you guys probably look up to are fat and no longer compete or even exercise.
^^^This.
The vicious attacks, lawsuits, and threats against his detractors was over the top and unnecessary. Those people have every right to hold him in contempt. Had he conducted himself more humbly like many of the others (re: Indurain, etc..), the contempt would not run so deep. Regarding the PEDs themselves - it was pretty much join the club or get out. The saddest thing of all is that Tygart's goal of bringing him down was to fundamentally change the sport forever (eliminate the PED culture) - a dream that has yet to materialize and quite possibly never will.
I doubt most people care when he shows up for a race, at the very least it's a great carrot. Imagine your name in the results above him - booyah!