photo by: Rob O’Dea
“I’m going back to professional cycling. I’m going to try and win an eighth Tour de France.”
-Lance Armstrong1
After months of rumors and speculation, Lance officially declares a comeback! It’s an incredible move which comes three years after retiring from professional cycling following a historic 7th straight Tour de France win.
In a five page Vanity Fair exclusive article Lance talks about life being retired, his campaign against cancer, thoughts on running for governor and then details his plan to return to professional cycling.
On coming back at 37:
“Look at the Olympics. You have a swimmer like Dara Torres. Even in the 50-meter event [freestyle], the 41-year-old mother proved you can do it. The woman who won the marathon [Constantina Tomescu-Dita, of Romania] was 38. Older athletes are performing very well. Ask serious sports physiologists and they’ll tell you age is a wives’ tale. Athletes at 30, 35 mentally get tired. They’ve done their sport for 20, 25 years and they’re like, I’ve had enough. But there’s no evidence to support that when you’re 38 you’re any slower than when you were 32.1”
On his motivation to come back:
“Then Leadville, this kind of obscure bike race, totally kick-started my engine. For me it’s always been about the process.… The process of getting there is the best part. You start the season a little out of shape, a little heavy. You get in better shape. You lose some weight. I mean you’re just crafting this perfect program. For several weeks I [had] trained [for Leadville] and went riding by myself. Obviously beautiful territory and fresh air, just feeling fit, losing weight, getting strong—living a very healthy lifestyle. I thought, This might be fun to try again.1”
- Vanity Fair: Lance Armstrong Rides Again [↩] [↩] [↩]
Add A Comment