The room at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas was filled with media setting up their TV cameras, photographers angling for position and others, like me, hanging out, waiting for Lance the Great to show up.
The greatest cyclist in American history was late to his own press conference at the Interbike industry bicycle trade show to discuss his return to professional bicycle racing. Finally, at 12 ticks past his appointed arrival time, the room quickly hushed and all eyes diverted to the back of the room.
“All rise,” someone snickered in a whisper, as the revered Lance the Great shook random outstretched hands as he made his way to the front of the room to take his place at the interview table.
Since his last race in July 2005 when he captured his 7th Tour de France, all indications were that the 37-year-old had moved on. He had competed in marathons, opened a bike shop in his hometown of Austin, Texas and dated various celebrities.
But alas, the quiet life wasn’t to be as Lance the Great returned to his roots: himself, his bicycle and his cause.
Although he established the Lance Armstrong Foundation 10 years earlier after his two-year cancer battle in the late 1990s, he announced in September the Livestrong Global Cancer Initiative which is an effort to fight cancer on a global scale.
“I’m returning to cycling in order to raise awareness of the global cancer burden,” he said. “We will reach out to those who suffer in silence and connect them with a community of cancer survivors to give them strength and hope. We hope to globally promote ending the stigma of cancer and turn cancer victims into cancer survivors.
“I’ll ride for at least a year, it depends on how the campaign rolls out,” he said. After four years away from competitive cycling, even Lance the Great doesn’t know if his return will equal race victories along the way.
“My main priority is this global (cancer) campaign,” he maintains.
There’s much controversy surrounding his return to competitive cycling. Lance the Great is a driven man. Why else would he open himself up to more doping allegations, miss out on quality time with his three school-age children or — good grief! — forfeit Sunday mornings with the paper and coffee?
My belief is that Lance the Great is happiest being on his bicycle and racing against the most competitive cyclists in the world.
And if his cause is more successful because of his personal endeavors on the worldwide stage, then Go Lance. His return should bring renewed interest to cycling fans everywhere as he seeks an unprecedented 8th Tour de France victory in 2009.
Hopefully, Lance the Great’s cancer campaign won’t get lost among any cycling victories — or defeats.
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