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German Cycling-Fans: Pace & GDR-Flags, spitting at "Judas" & "Fatherland-Traitor"

After being called "Judas" and other names by German fans on Alpe d'Huez yesterday, CSC's super workhorse Jens Voigt has defended himself strongly. Voigt was heavily criticised by the Germans after he played a key role in chasing down T-Mobile's Jan Ullrich during stage 15, following the orders of his team director Bjarne Riis who wanted to protect Ivan Basso's second place. Despite the fact that Voigt and Ullrich ride for different teams and Voigt was merely obeying instructions, the partisan German fans did not see it that way and hurled abuse at him yesterday.

"I was sworn at on the road for being a traitor," said Voigt to DPA. "That was open hostility. I would have got off and yelled at them. National politics or war have no place here. It should only be about sport. I've always tried to simply live my life. The uncalled for criticism really hurt me. "

Voigt said that his riding in Stage 15 was purely for his captain Ivan Basso. "Of course it broke my heart to ride behind Jan. I would rather see Jan win the Tour than Lance. But that is my job. If I didn't ride behind, the Tour would already be finished for me and I would be sitting on an aeroplane on the way back home, because I hadn't fulfilled my contract."

Voigt also criticised the commentators on German TV channel ARD, who he believed prompted the outcry. "That was certainly the trigger for the witch hunt," he said. "ARD and T-Mobile, that's a little narrow. It's the first time that I have been sworn at by fans. That's why I'm so sour."

The German also explained that he gave Andreas Klöden water with 7 km to go in Stage 15, and noted that he had worked completely for Ullrich in the Olympics in 2000. "And I will also die in Athens for him," he noted.

Source: cyclingnews.com, 2004-07-22

Oh, Spit! 'Idiot' Germans Harass Lance

By Gersh Kuntzman and Bill Sanderson

July 22, 2004 -- Asinine German cycling fans harassed five-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong during yesterday's grueling ride though the French Alps -- two of the "idiots" spat on him, and another spectator chased him while wearing a "F - - - Bush" T-shirt. By the end of the day, of course, the spit on Armstrong was exchanged for a bath of champagne, thanks to the Texan's time-trial victory.

But the win did not erase what had happened.

"I don't think it's safe," said Armstrong, who is on pace to win an unprecedented sixth tour in a row. He called the German fans "horrible" -- but said that animosity "motivates me more. I think it puts a little fuel on the fire."

In a TV interview, he complained about the Germans' "disgusting behavior."

Tour de France director Jean-Marie Leblanc struck an apologetic tone.

"There were lots of aggressive fans," he said, calling the two spitters, "idiots."

Jonathan Vaughters, one of a very small number of Americans who have ridden in France's signature sporting event, said the crowds aren't usually intimidating.

"It's the only sport in the world where you can reach out and touch your hero," said Vaughters, who rode the last of his four Tours in 2002.

"I've never seen them be anything but supportive."

As for how France, Germany and the rest of Europe views Armstrong, Vaughters said, "It seems that half the world is thinking he's an incredible hero."

Most of the stages of the tour are 100 miles or more, meaning that the hundreds of thousands of fans are stretched out over a long distance. In addition, riders typically race by at 25 or 30 mph, far too fast for fans to touch them.

But for yesterday's tough climb in the French Alps, the fans were not only compressed into 10 miles, but cyclists had slowed to 15 mph.

Contact is almost inevitable. Armstrong fell after a collision with a fan during last year's race.

Many Europeans are openly contemptuous of the American.

That sentiment was captured in a roadside sign last week that read, "Lance Go Home."

As a result, Armstrong has bodyguards during the three-week race.

"Nothing against the French, but in France, they're after us," Armstrong said.

Source: New York Post, 2004-07-22