Bob Hovey added:
"Maybe the AP will notice The Chip if the guy ever decides to finish a
Tour". to the previous post
> >> Also, the AP yesterday named Lance "Male Athlete of the Year" for 2002,
> >> beating out Barry Bonds and Tiger Woods.
> >
> >But how could that be? Lance isn't even Cyclist of the Year, at least
> >according to Velo, who recently awarded that title to Mario Cipollini.
Mario Cipollini has in fact finished just as many big three tours as Armstrong. Armstrong has finished 5 Tours de France and one Vuelta a España. Cipollini has finished 6 Giri d'Italia (1990, 1991, 1992, 1997, 2001 and 2002). Armstrong's focus has been on the Tour de France because that is where his sponsors knew he would get the most exposure for them. Armstrong has never ridden the Giro and has finished the Vuelta only once. Cipollini, riding exclusively for Italian teams, knows that racing in the Giro gives him and his sponsors much more of the exposure that guarantees him his salary. It was only once Cannondale got involved as an important sponsor that a focus of Cipollini's efforts on the Tour became of any importance. He has also ridden all three races and has won stages in all three. Armstrong is very impressive in his specialty and an incredible rider, but he does not come close to matching Cipollini's utter dominance in his area of excellence, the sprint. You need only look at all of the riders who have attempted to match him who have come and gone during his period of excellence. Don't forget that Cipollini won his first stage in a major tour in 1989.
Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ
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