"Road racing imitates life the way it would be without the corruptive influence of civilization. When you see an enemy lying on the ground, what's your first reaction, to help him to his feet? In road racing, you kick him to death." Tim Krabbe, from his novel, The Rider
I didn't want to be happy about this. As a point of fact, I was down right angry when I first heard about it. I think you all know what I am talking about - the return of Lance Armstrong. Now, I am sure many of you are thinking, "Guy, with all the stuff that's going on in your life, why would you write about Lance's return to cycling? More importantly, we all know you love Lance, so why the love loss.?" All points are true and worthy. However, I have sat back, refusing to get involved in conversations with friends, associates, training buddies, strangers, dogs, anyone that wanted my opinion on it. Why? Because as a true fan of Lance, I was dissapointed in his return at first.
See, I was looking at his return from 2 different perspectives - First, as a fan of Lance, but more importantly, a fan of watching champions go out on top. Many of us saw what became of Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, (actually, a number of boxers), Roger Clemens, Bobby Hull, Brett Favre, and others who just couldn't let go. Couldn't check thier respective egos at the door and just realize - the time had come to step down. With Lance, it was perfect - he literally walked away in 2005 as the 7 time Tour Champ. Top of the world. As an athlete, you couldn't dream it any better. I know when I decide to walk away as a pro duathlete, I'd love to leave with the title. I know winning the Mideast Du Series title again this year made turning pro easier, and stepping it up a notch mentally and physically. And I wasn't buying the whole, "Spread the word about Cancer", not that I doubt that will happen, because of his return, but, it was a weak argument at best. Don't get me wrong, I still wear my Livestrong bracelet, not for Lance, but b/c cancer still kills millions, and touches the lives of many in my family. So, I want to see cancer get the attention it needs to find a cure. I don't want to lose anyone else close to me b/c of it. In fact, I still have on my wall, the framed Sports Illustrated issue. with Lance on the cover, signed by the Man, right before the 2004 Tour. It was given to me by a dear friend, and cancer survivor of 20 years. She is a fan too, and living proof that cancer survivors are true fighters. But, I wasn't buying that reason to return to ride in the sport's most grueling race.
Second, as a team director, my thoughts immediately were - if I was running a Pro Tour team, would I be able to take this risk? I mean, Lance is not a guy to play second fiddle to anyone, so, what do I tell my top guys? "Hey, I know we were planning on making you the man for the Tour, but, see, Lance is here now, so, we need you to scratch your dreams of winning, and work for him." What? I mean, yeah its Lance, but, could you imagine, being, oh, say ALBERTO CONTADOR, and being told to work for him in the race that you are poised to win again? And we all knew he was going to Astana, b/c it was Johan, and Lance was not going to work with anyone else. So, yeah, I was upset. I didn't want him to tarnish the image, I didn't want him to come back and get crushed. I didn't want him to become another statistic, another aging athlete with too big an ego. And the whole, "Cycling needs Lance back to help the sport", was bunk too. Cycling was suffering because of drugs, not a lack of great riders. So, I tried to ignore it, just like all the other things that were Lance during his time off the bike; the Matthew M. bromance, dating one of the Olsen's, leaving Cheryl Crow. I wouldn't listen.
But then, something happened. And it revolves around a conversation, albeit a short one, I had with my grandmother.
My grandmother became a fan of Lance because of me. I would bring over Tour DVD's and she was fascinated with him, his ability to climb, in particular, and his work ethic. She would watch it with such excitement, and just knew, no one could do that on talent alone. So, while sitting around a week after Thanksgiving, she leaned in at a kitchen chair, and asked me, "Do you think he can do it again? I'll tell you, if nothing else, he'll sure as hell make it exciting. He's one in a million. They don't grow those kinds of athletes on trees. He just works so darn hard, I don't think they can beat him with his work ethic." She sat back in her chair and began to discuss other things, but I was stunned. It was like a slap across the face. Here I was, I huge fan of Lance, and all he has accomplished on and off the bike, and I was trying to dismiss it. My grandmother had touched on the one thing that had always drawn me to Lance - his work ethic. I know no one works harder. So, I started noticing things; magazines with him on the cover, him working out and being photographed while doing so, looking ridiculously fit for this time of the year, all making me realize what I always knew - he will never half-ass anything. That same big ego that won't let go, is the same thing that is making damn sure he's coming back, full gas.
Now, I am not an cycling expert, I am not a coach, or someone fully immersed in the physiology of the human body and its ability to perform in extreme conditions. But, I have faith that hard work pays off. Does it mean he will win? I don't know, and the thing is, neither does he. He might have a better feeling of it than a fan or lay person, but, there are no gaurantees. He is just eliminating the intangibles. See, you might not like the return, but I dare you to bet against it. I don't know about the Tour, but, I think he will win the Giro, (a race I consider harder than the Tour - I mean snow covered mountains, 35 degrees and sleet while climbing? Come on.) And with the Tour, here's one thing I have learned watching it the last 9 years, and its the one reason I think he could win if Contador fails - experience. This is a 3 week race, where in a matter of hours, the entire race can change. The flats can change from day to day, the weather, the climbs, the way the body reacts, everything. Nothing is certain in the Tour except pain and exhaustion. That's his edge. Not convinced? Ask all of the "heir apparents" that were supposed to be the next "Lance". The best example - Alejandro Vlaverde. The man thought to be the one to win at least 5 tours, can't finish higher than 6th or 7th. Why? Because the Tour does not forgive. If you are on a bad day, the Tour will eat you. Ask Cadel Evans from this year's edition. Without Astana, it was his turn, and BOOM, he hits the floor, never recovers and good bye Tour.
Lance has seen it all though. The rain, the heat, the climbs, the way the road can change in a matter of minutes, depending on the crowd the weather, the other riders, everything. And that, is his one edge over his rivals. It might be small, but that's the edge. I'm not saying he will win, nor am I saying he should go for the win, if Contador is on, but, if Contador falters, well....
So, I am excited again about seeing Lance race. I would have watched cycling either way, b/c I am a fan of the sport, not just him. But don't call it a comeback, he did that once. This is just a return, hopefully to glory.
