I am a Lance fan

It is kind of a popular sentiment: When your heroes are larger than life, you might not really want to get to know them. When you get to know your heroes, there is a chance they may not live up to their public image. When you get to know them, you realize that they are human. They make mistakes, they have trouble with their relationships, they say awkward things, they crunch their car in the parking lot at the mall, they get a bad haircut…in other words; they become human when you get close to them. 

For a long time, Lance Armstrong has been one of my heroes. When he first came back from cancer, we all watched with amazement and hoped for the underdog. We all knew someone who had been touched by the disease, and we wanted him to conquer because not everyone else had. He was a hero and everyone was a fan in those early days of Comeback 1.0.

In 1999, I was at the Tour de France. Trek was doing a mountain bike intro nearby, and we decided to take the journalists to the race. Not because we somehow knew what was going to happen that day, but because those who say they are not really interested in the Tour de France, have just not yet been there. It is, of course, the single greatest sporting spectacle in the world. We were at the summit of the Galibier that day in 1999, when Lance came over with the front group and then went on to put the race away on the Sestriere. I was in awe of the display. I immediately called the road bike brand manager at Trek and told him, “I know this is crazy, but I think he can win this.”  How silly my shock sounds now, right?

People who follow cycling like to rooti for the underdog.  So, it was natural for everyone to root for Lance when he was the comeback kid. It was also in a lot of cycling fans' nature to turn against him when he became uber successful. Trust me, even people who say they are not fans now, were fans back then.

For me, he never fell from being one of my hero’s. When he won more, he just became more of a hero. I loved to see him ride at the front of the group all the time and wait for his competitors to wilt. I loved to see him attack. I loved to see him chase back after being knocked down. It was always exciting and fun.

I also know that during all of this, he was doing everything that he could to help kick the proverbial butt of cancer as fast as he could. Trying to help millions of people around the world. He was helping his foundation and seeing cancer victims in person around the world. He retired, and some people were glad. I was thankful that I got see him race, and I understood that it could not go on forever.

Then Comeback 2.0 came along. I was excited because I got to see the hero in action again. Sure, he fell down a lot more. Sure, he suffered injuries. Sure he had a run of bad luck that didn't strike before.  Sure it was not always graceful. But he was still badass and he still remains one of my cycling heroes. 

Tough guy!

There are a lot of people in the cycling world who now claim that he was never their hero. There are also people out there debating if Lance’s legacy changed cycling and the cycling world. I do not really care to get involved with that debate. I will leave that for others to spend too much time on.

I do know, that I have been lucky to get to know one of my heroes. Not as well as I would like to, but I am fortunate nonetheless to have gotten to know him the small amount that I do. 

At the beginning of this, I talked about the dangers of getting to know your heroes and having the veneer stripped away. For me, getting to know him and watching a rough Comeback 2.0 did not change anything. 

With Lance announcing his retirement for the final time, Comeback 2.0 comes to an end. I do not know what Lance will do next, but I know that whatever he does will involve helping as many cancer victims as he can. 

I am a fan.

Joe V. 

@ team camp

with some of my family

Comments

[Roger]

I'm a big fan too!

[Brian Griggs]

I've never met Lance Armstrong and I'm pretty sure I'll never have the chance, but Lance has been a hero of mine for a long time and through some pretty important times of my life. When I was first getting into cycling in the early 90's it was nice to read about a young hot head a lot like me instead of just a bunch of Europeans. When I was trying to quit smoking, Lance was an inspiration for me to be strong willed and stay focused. When my friend was diagnosed with cancer, Lance's recovery gave me a glimmer of hope and when we lost Mark such a short time later, it was comforting to know that an organization such as Livestrong was working so tirelessly to battle the disease. I know my story is not unique and there are many fans with stories similar to mine. There are a ton of die hard fans that have memories into which Lance Armstrong is so deeply interwoven. To this day the Nike "Magnet" commercial still brings tears to my eyes.

[Lloyd]

Nice write up Joe and very cool photos!

[Charles]

Awesome post, I too have been a huge fan over the years and choose not to engage in the debates nor speculation. To believe that our heros don't have shortcomings is fantasy...they are human too. For me Lance is heroic for his success in cycling and the Livestrong foundation.

[Schmucky]

I am a Lance Fan-forever! LG from Austria!

[Adam Binetti]

I had the pleasure of meeting Lance at the end of the Revel stage at the 2010 Tour De France! He had ridden all day in the heat and probably just wanted to have a shower and relax! It was myself and about 50 French media but as soon as he came out of the van, i asked him for a photo and a autograph! He instantly smiled when he heard my aussie accent and replied "sure"!! For that little 30 seconds of time he gave me just reiterated the fact that i have idolised the man since i found the passion of cycling 7 years ago!! Truly a patron of the sport!! Won't hear a bad word against the guy!!

[Archie]

Lance gives all of us the belief that with the right attitude and some hard work you can just about acheive anything. The man inspires and yes I am a fan. Let others debate if he has or has not changed cycling. I would rather use my time to enjoy the images he has enjoyed and given us.

[Laura]

Thanks for this post...I have always been a Lance fan...and always will...

[nev smyth.]

very well written. lance is a hero. he came to my house one morning for my birthday,we had a gd breakfast and went out for 60 miles,great wee time. then I woke up. it was all a dream. gutted. but when I heard he was doing a tweet ride in dublin I got outta work early and drove 2 hrs and done a few laps of Phoenix park with him and a few other thousand crazy fans. great wee evening one summer!!

[Tyler Toone]

Joe, great post about one of the greatest athletes of all time. I too consider Lance one of my heroes, not only for what he has done for the sport of cycling, but primarily for his dedication to beating cancer. I lost my Dad to cancer when I was 14 and so I truly believe in the mission of what Lance and the Livestrong foundation strive for. I wear the yellow band proudly! Livestrong!