Everybody hates Lance Armstrong -- so take a number, cyclists

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Ever since Lance Armstrong announced his comeback, fellow cyclists have had strong opinions on whether having him back in the peloton is good or bad. There’s hardly any middle ground. And those who are critical are also pretty brave in going public because Armstrong’s history is that he hears everything and forgets nothing.

Armstrong is 37 years old and has been away from competitive cycling for more than three years. He’s spent a noticeable portion of his time dating starlets (Ashley Olsen), actresses (Kate Hudson) and New York designers (Tory Burch) -- when he wasn’t busy partying with star Matthew McConaughey.

Yet, instead of shrugging their shoulders and coming to the logical conclusion that Armstrong is an aging athlete who’s way out of shape and impossibly unable to become competitive again -- and therefore is not worth worrying about -- a surprising number of cyclists have chosen to criticize the comeback.

The latest complainer is Italy’s Filippo Simeoni. Simeoni butted heads with Armstrong during the 2004 Tour de France when Armstrong attacked a breakaway when Simeoni had a chance to win a stage. Armstrong and Simeoni don’t much like each other. Oh, and Simeoni didn’t win the stage.

As various cyclists and racing officials have spoken unenthusiastically about Armstrong’s comeback, Armstrong has responded more and more emphatically about his plans.

After watching Armstrong do wind tunnel testing last week in San Diego, one thing is clear. Armstrong is in this to win it -- it being every race he enters. We’re not sure what all of those will be, though he’s certain the Amgen Tour of California will be one of them.

When he was in his prime, it was never wise to make Armstrong mad. He held grudges. Just ask Simeoni.

-- Diane Pucin