The Drubbing

Lance Armstrong

In a recent AP report posted on ESPN.com, cyclist Lance Armstrong was quoted as saying he would accept, if necessary, a support role to assist Astana teammate Alberto Contador’s attempt at a Tour de France victory. The key to the story is that Armstrong said he would support Contador’s victory attempt if the Spanish rider is in a more likely position to win. I highly doubt that Armstrong will let Contador assume such a position gracefully.

Armstrong, who previously won 7 straight Tour’s before retiring in 2005 is making his return to arguably the most popular professional bike race which is set to begin Saturday, July 4th. It’s no secret Armstrong is racing to raise awareness for cancer and is doing so with no salary. I’d have to imagine Armstrong’s strategy to achieve this goal would be by earning the overall leader’s yellow jersey and then eventually winning the three-week long race leading to massive amounts of public interest and media coverage.

Contador, who previously voiced some discontent when Armstrong joined the team, will have his work cut out for him. Despite a few years away from the sport and now at the age of 37, Armstrong has to be taken seriously. He’s proven the skeptics wrong before and it wouldn’t shock me if he does so again. It might not be as easy (I’m not sure you can say anything is easy about a bike race that covers almost 2,175 miles), but I am sure Armstrong will take great pride in securing his eighth Tour championship.

Sorry, Alberto. Your teammate is saying the right things leading up to the race, but you have to believe his personal goals far outweigh his interest in your ambitions.