16 February 2011

Armstrong retires

Lance Armstrong retires from cycling
This was the day Lance Armstrong finally retired from cycling.
Lance Armstrong once said, "I figure the faster I pedal, the faster I can retire." That day has finally come, what a career his was.

I can't believe this is the day Lance Armstrong finally retired from cycling - there will be no third comeback. He had hoped his farewell would take place on the Champs Elysees. But it did not. It was however a long fought and well earned if quiet farewell for Armstrong, who announced his retirement sitting in a press meeting in Austin, Texas today. I had hoped to see him at the Tour of California, or the Quiznos Pro Challenge in 2011. Those opportunities have passed as a fan.

Lance Armstrong at the 2010 TDF. Photo by: PedalDancer.com
A little history on Lance Armstrong:
  • he became a professional triathlete in 1989, he became a professional road cyclist in 1992 
  • he won the US National Road Championship and the World Road Championship in 1993
  • his cancer diagnosis was on October 2, 1996, at age 25
  • his first big comeback year was in 1998 (from cancer)
  • Lance Armstrong won 7 Tour de France races (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2004)
  • he retired in 2005
  • in 2007 Armstrong ran the NYC Marathon in 2h 46m 43s finishing 232nd
  • he announced his second big comeback in cycling on September 9, 2008
  • he finished 3rd in the 2009 Tour de France, he thought he could win again
  • he finished 23rd in the 2010 Tour de France, although his team RadioShack won best team
  • he finished 65th in his last race, which was the Tour Down Under in Australia in January 2011
  • he has five children
  • he plans to spend his time on the Livestrong foundation he began in 1997
Several months ago a friend sent me my favorite Lance Armstrong quote when I needed it most:  

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” - Lance Armstrong
Armstrong Dancing on the Pedals in Denver in 2010. Photo by PedalDancer.com
Ask Nick: So, what was it like, working with Lance? 
By Nick Legan Published Feb 16th 2011 5:37 PM EST