John Howard is the top American road rider of his generation, which is also my generation. He's sort of the proto-Lance, also being a Texan. I'd like to ask Lance what sort of influence Howard had on his career. The world's top amateur rider, favored to win Olympic gold, was a Dutch dentist whose name I've forgotten. But a different Dutchman, Hennie Kuiper, won instead. Kuiper went on to have a long and successful pro career, winning Paris Robaix and the world road championship. One interesting spectacle at the start of the race was the attempt by some sort of "alternative" Irish team to ride the race. I forget what the issue was, but it was about Irish politics. The German security guys dragged them off. Another thing I remember is a stuffy spectator from the East coast saying "California is no longer a road power." I told him to get lost....Howard's bike is an Eisentraut, same as my current road bike.

22 Sept. 2012: I asked John for info on the photo and here's what he says:" James: That photo was taken late in the '72 Olympic Road Race just before Kuiper made his perfect move. I watched him go, but waited a few seconds too long and field was there. The Munich course was not tough enough to seperate the sheep from the goats and we finished in mass. I was the first USA rider with John Allis not far behind."