Armstrong's Strong-Arming

OK. We get it. No-one messes with The Boss. But is it just me, or did Lance Armstrong go too far when he stamped out Filippo Simeoni's breakaway attempt in the eighteenth stage of the recently-concluded Tour de France just to prove a point?
 
Don't get me wrong. I religiously watched as much of this year's Tour as I could, just to watch Lance decimate his challengers. I think Lance Armstrong is one of the greatest athletes in the history of sport not just for his physical ability but more for the incredible focus and determination that is so apparent every time he rides. I think he is an absolute animal who could ride much much faster and harder than we have seen, if only he had someone to push him to those limits. (After all, the greatest feats are generally the products of the greatest rivalries: Ali-Frazier, Warne-Muralitharan, Sampras-Agassi, USA-USSR.) I think his comeback to the top of professional sport from a near-death cancer affliction is nothing short of miraculous and is a testament to just how strong his fighting spirit is. I think all the criticism of his year-round focus on winning the Tour and the fact that the US Postal - Berry Floor team is handpicked and trained for that one purpose is just sour grapes because nobody likes dynasties - just ask the West Indies, Steffi Graf, the Chicago Bulls, Brazil or even the Nehru family. And most importantly, I think his cycling immortality has been achieved fair and square, regardless of all the doping allegations floating around. As Armstrong himself said in a recent interview, extraordinary accusations must be followed by extraordinary proof. Hell, if I didn't think all of these things, I wouldn't be plugging his fundraising efforts.

Unfortunately, I also think that not being a gracious winner is far less excusable than being a poor loser. Losing is never easy, but although whiny losers are annoying and annoyingly plentiful, they at least have the semblance of an excuse to whine - they did lose after all. So what's the excuse for the person who's on top? What more does he or she have to prove? In chasing after Simeoni, something the leader of a team hardly ever does, Armstrong just showed that he is not above petty rivalries. That holding a grudge can be taken too far. That true magnanimity is so rare because it is so difficult.
 
Lance Armstrong the cyclist inspires awe. Lance Armstrong the boyfriend of Sheryl Crow inspires envy. Lance Armstrong the cancer survivor simply inspires. Lance Armstrong the person doesn't inspire much of anything.