masters fattie wrote:
This has all the makings of the La Vie Claire team in the mid 80's, with half the team riding for one rider and half the other
Yeah, I was just going to say that. For those not familiar, Bernard Hinault and Greg leMond were both riding for La Vie Claire. In 1984 Hinault (who had won in 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1982) finished second and Lemond finished third (in his debut) while riding in support for Hinault. In 1985, Lemonde was ordered by the team to again ride in support for Hinault. Hinault was injured in a crash and Lemond propbably could have attacked an won, but didn't. Lemond unded up finishing second while Hinault won his fith title. It all came to a head in 1986 when Hinault publicly stated he would ride in support of Lemond, in return for the previous year, but then preceded to ride on his own and build a huge lead over Lemond. Lemonde eventually overtook Hinault and won his first of three titles.